On paper at least Pope always looked capable of continuing to improve - strong academically (= a learning ethic), and a late-starter and hence relatively green by the time he was seeing league action. The club clearly saw long-term potential, too (for which Avory & others must deserve credit).
So we shouldn't be surprised that some of those faults have been eliminated, though I think his distribution is still below PL standard, let along international.
In a way, the lack of an obvious, in-form England #1 is probably hampering. Were Hart still in his pomp and a strong back-up in place, you could make a good case for Pope going to get experience etc. But even as we are I think he's worth a look.
Too many managers play it safe in picking these squads. Always think that a maverick/unexpected pick as the 22nd or 23rd squad member is worth a go - e.g. I seriously would have considered Super Clive for the '98 squad - he was bang in form and liable to nick a goal out of nothing
On paper at least Pope always looked capable of continuing to improve - strong academically (= a learning ethic), and a late-starter and hence relatively green by the time he was seeing league action. The club clearly saw long-term potential, too (for which Avory & others must deserve credit).
So we shouldn't be surprised that some of those faults have been eliminated, though I think his distribution is still below PL standard, let along international.
In a way, the lack of an obvious, in-form England #1 is probably hampering. Were Hart still in his pomp and a strong back-up in place, you could make a good case for Pope going to get experience etc. But even as we are I think he's worth a look.
Too many managers play it safe in picking these squads. Always think that a maverick/unexpected pick as the 22nd or 23rd squad member is worth a go - e.g. I seriously would have considered Super Clive for the '98 squad - he was bang in form and liable to nick a goal out of nothing
I love Mendonca as much as the next man, but that would have been bloody mental. Off the top of my head we had Shearer, Owen, Sherringham, Fowler, Cole, Wright, and Le Tissier all available and all used to scoring 20+ goals in the Premier League at that time. And Phillips who’d scored a lot more than Mendonca in Div 1. Even Charlton fans would’ve thought it was mad to take him ahead of that lot.
On paper at least Pope always looked capable of continuing to improve - strong academically (= a learning ethic), and a late-starter and hence relatively green by the time he was seeing league action. The club clearly saw long-term potential, too (for which Avory & others must deserve credit).
So we shouldn't be surprised that some of those faults have been eliminated, though I think his distribution is still below PL standard, let along international.
In a way, the lack of an obvious, in-form England #1 is probably hampering. Were Hart still in his pomp and a strong back-up in place, you could make a good case for Pope going to get experience etc. But even as we are I think he's worth a look.
Too many managers play it safe in picking these squads. Always think that a maverick/unexpected pick as the 22nd or 23rd squad member is worth a go - e.g. I seriously would have considered Super Clive for the '98 squad - he was bang in form and liable to nick a goal out of nothing
Injury to Butland/Pickford or Hart and he will be in the squad, if he is in contention would need to play the upcoming friendlies. Personally think we need to pick out of Butland or Pickford in these friendlies, although Hart hasn't done alot wrong he isn't playing so by default he needs to be 3rd choice imo.
Hart should go IMO. But only as 3rd choice and because he is our only experienced option.
Remember that world cup (was it 2010?) When we took Green as forst choice an uncapped Hart and David James. James ended up finishing the tournament as number 1 after Green was crucified for his howler and it was decided Hart shouldn't be thrown in at that stage. That is the role I want him to play now.
The other 2 should be Pickford and Butland. Pope as back up.
Hart should go IMO. But only as 3rd choice and because he is our only experienced option.
Remember that world cup (was it 2010?) When we took Green as forst choice an uncapped Hart and David James. James ended up finishing the tournament as number 1 after Green was crucified for his howler and it was decided Hart shouldn't be thrown in at that stage. That is the role I want him to play now.
The other 2 should be Pickford and Butland. Pope as back up.
Hart should go IMO. But only as 3rd choice and because he is our only experienced option.
Remember that world cup (was it 2010?) When we took Green as forst choice an uncapped Hart and David James. James ended up finishing the tournament as number 1 after Green was crucified for his howler and it was decided Hart shouldn't be thrown in at that stage. That is the role I want him to play now.
The other 2 should be Pickford and Butland. Pope as back up.
Worryingly though if Hart goes I think your right about the 2010 theory.
We'll play Tunisia with Butland (He'd be my first choice) making a mistake like what Green made... Joe Hart will then come in like what David James did, who really shouldnt have been there in the first place
Are you the same person you were 4 or 5 yrs ago? Have you improved at your workplace over that period? Do you not develop as a person and as an employer/ manager/ boss/ employee over your working life?
If you concentrate that into a professional footballers senior career over say 15 years he has to show the ability to develop. It does not come overnight it takes graft, graft and graft again.
You believe players have time to think about 70% of what they do in a game at this level? The pace of movement and thought becomes instinctive. If you pick up bad habits you drill it out over time.
I could not be more chuffed for the lad. He has natural instinctive ability. He has grafted to remove the more pronounced errors in his game.
Just a few words of caution. He is playing behind one of the best drilled defensive units seen in the PL for a while. His protection has been exceptional. It is almost George Graham like with Arsenal 1-0. I remember a young Alex Stepney building his career behind Charlie Hurley at Millwall. He grew from that experience and moved onto Man U.
In addition Pope will make mistakes on the "big stage". Everybody does. Pickford is going through that process now, as is Butland to a degree. Harts' loss of form is more long term and more concerning. That the latter is not being given the chance to bounce back is equally troubling.
How Pope will react to his future challenges and be given the chance to react will determine his long term future. For now he must be living the dream. He deserves the plaudits.
In his time with us Nick was a good keeper and pulled off some great saves but nobody could deny he was dodgy with a bouncing ball. He definitely had potential but don't think anyone would have seen him taking his chance at Burnley so well. Perhaps it's down to better coaching and not being in a toxic atmosphere that's built his confidence up.
Anyway well done Nick and hope you get the chance to get your cap.
In his time with us Nick was a good keeper and pulled off some great saves but nobody could deny he was dodgy with a bouncing ball. He definitely had potential but don't think anyone would have seen him taking his chance at Burnley so well. Perhaps it's down to better coaching and not being in a toxic atmosphere that's built his confidence up.
Anyway well done Nick and hope you get the chance to get your cap.
Or maybe he was still learning and improving his game, I remember Ben Roberts saying he was the best young goalkeeper he had coached and predicted a bright future. He did struggle when the ball bounced in front of him and he knew it was a part of his game he had to improve on but he has worked hard and on it and being around the likes of Tom Heaton can only be good for him, hope he goes on and earns a cap
If Heaton didn't get injured Nick Pope would still be a number 2 for Burnley with half a dozen cup games in 2 years behind him but fate decided otherwise. Nick's weakness was the bouncing ball at his body. He must of worked hard at over coming this flaw. He stats are superb. The form of the other keepers are flakey. Good luck Nick, I for one was gutted when he left as felt he could be part of the journey back to the Championship. Bigger things await now. Heaton or Pope Burnley fans ?
If Heaton didn't get injured Nick Pope would still be a number 2 for Burnley with half a dozen cup games in 2 years behind him but fate decided otherwise. Nick's weakness was the bouncing ball at his body. He must of worked hard at over coming this flaw. He stats are superb. The form of the other keepers are flakey. Good luck Nick, I for one was gutted when he left as felt he could be part of the journey back to the Championship. Bigger things await now. Heaton or Pope Burnley fans ?
At WH the Burnley fans were singing “England’s no1” re Pope. Nuff said.
Always looked very nervous when he played for us, can't believe he is being mentioned for England.
Had a huge flaw when it came to low shots straight at him. But that was down to technique and has clearly been coached out of him. Anyone who knows anything about goalkeeping knew he was gonna be quality and play at a high level. He's just done it quicker than I thought.
I would love to see all the people on this forum and others I have read on other forums who said Pope was useless and should be got rid of, stand up and apologise on their forums. I never saw as much of Pope as some of you but what I saw I thought he could do well with experience, something other fans were not ready to give him. WELL DONE NICK AND MAY YOUR CAREER KEEP UP AT THE TOP
Always looked very nervous when he played for us, can't believe he is being mentioned for England.
Had a huge flaw when it came to low shots straight at him. But that was down to technique and has clearly been coached out of him. Anyone who knows anything about goalkeeping knew he was gonna be quality and play at a high level. He's just done it quicker than I thought.
It was coached out of him at Charlton, imo. It was an issue for a few games but seemed to be something he'd got on top of before he left.
Very harshly treated by some of our 'supporters', made up for him that he is well and truly silencing his doubters. I hope he has a better England debut than Scott Carson, who I think I'm right in saying was the last ex Charlton keeper to play for England.
Good to see a few other players in there on form as well, like Tarkowski and Young, although too many nonperforming old faces are still around.
Comments
So we shouldn't be surprised that some of those faults have been eliminated, though I think his distribution is still below PL standard, let along international.
In a way, the lack of an obvious, in-form England #1 is probably hampering. Were Hart still in his pomp and a strong back-up in place, you could make a good case for Pope going to get experience etc. But even as we are I think he's worth a look.
Too many managers play it safe in picking these squads. Always think that a maverick/unexpected pick as the 22nd or 23rd squad member is worth a go - e.g. I seriously would have considered Super Clive for the '98 squad - he was bang in form and liable to nick a goal out of nothing
Remember that world cup (was it 2010?) When we took Green as forst choice an uncapped Hart and David James. James ended up finishing the tournament as number 1 after Green was crucified for his howler and it was decided Hart shouldn't be thrown in at that stage. That is the role I want him to play now.
The other 2 should be Pickford and Butland. Pope as back up.
We'll play Tunisia with Butland (He'd be my first choice) making a mistake like what Green made... Joe Hart will then come in like what David James did, who really shouldnt have been there in the first place
At the time it was largely seen as good business because he was supposedly shit!
Are you the same person you were 4 or 5 yrs ago? Have you improved at your workplace over that period? Do you not develop as a person and as an employer/ manager/ boss/ employee over your working life?
If you concentrate that into a professional footballers senior career over say 15 years he has to show the ability to develop. It does not come overnight it takes graft, graft and graft again.
You believe players have time to think about 70% of what they do in a game at this level? The pace of movement and thought becomes instinctive. If you pick up bad habits you drill it out over time.
I could not be more chuffed for the lad. He has natural instinctive ability. He has grafted to remove the more pronounced errors in his game.
Just a few words of caution. He is playing behind one of the best drilled defensive units seen in the PL for a while. His protection has been exceptional. It is almost George Graham like with Arsenal 1-0. I remember a young Alex Stepney building his career behind Charlie Hurley at Millwall. He grew from that experience and moved onto Man U.
In addition Pope will make mistakes on the "big stage". Everybody does. Pickford is going through that process now, as is Butland to a degree. Harts' loss of form is more long term and more concerning. That the latter is not being given the chance to bounce back is equally troubling.
How Pope will react to his future challenges and be given the chance to react will determine his long term future. For now he must be living the dream. He deserves the plaudits.
Hart's fault for Burnley's 3rd and 2 good stops by Nick in the 1st half.
And some said he wasn't good enough for Charlton....
Anyway well done Nick and hope you get the chance to get your cap.
He did struggle when the ball bounced in front of him and he knew it was a part of his game he had to improve on but he has worked hard and on it and being around the likes of Tom Heaton can only be good for him, hope he goes on and earns a cap
Didn't quite expect an England call up but was certain he'd establish himself in the Premier League one day. Well done Nick Pope.
Very harshly treated by some of our 'supporters', made up for him that he is well and truly silencing his doubters. I hope he has a better England debut than Scott Carson, who I think I'm right in saying was the last ex Charlton keeper to play for England.
Good to see a few other players in there on form as well, like Tarkowski and Young, although too many nonperforming old faces are still around.