Should We Buy A New Goalkeeper?

[Duncan Mckenzie]

I thought Steele had a good game yesterday and I hope that he will keep his place in the team against Reading.

[optimistic_red]

I agree that some of the criticism is harsh of Pantilimon and I think he's been a bit better lately.
1 dodgy kick or hesitant throw out and the crowd are straight on his back, and the ironic cheers if he claims a cross can't be good for his confidence.

[Frochy1977]

I don't like to be critical but for me we do need better.

Looking at the bigger picture, the season as a whole, Pantilimon has been poor.

I think we need a standout number 1.

[Paplane]

I agree that some of the criticism is harsh of Pantilimon and I think he's been a bit better lately.
1 dodgy kick or hesitant throw out and the crowd are straight on his back, and the ironic cheers if he claims a cross can't be good for his confidence.

He's been considered to be better recently because his kicking has consisted of just punting it high downfield. AK was asking him to switch play or pick out a specific pass before and he just couldn't do it. And his annoying habit of (getting booked for) time wasting must have been done on orders by AK. He's stopped doing that now although I accept that lately we haven't had the need to waste time as we've been chasing games!

He made a few stops on Saturday but to be honest, shop stopping is a basic fundamental requirement of a keeper these days. Just because he made more than he has in the past doesn't suddenly mean he's become a better player, just a busier one.

[optimistic_red]

Interesting thoughts Paplane and NG3.
You'd hope in that case the manager would protect the players more.

Given the choice I'd still like to replace him, but only if we can get someone better. So we may have to wait until Summer.
In the mean time as he's 1st choice it'd be good if the fans were a bit more supportive.

However on Saturday the guys sitting behind me were hilarious in the constant criticism of Murphy, made the match more bearable :-)

[Paplane]

Interesting thoughts Paplane and NG3.
You'd hope in that case the manager would protect the players more.

Given the choice I'd still like to replace him, but only if we can get someone better. So we may have to wait until Summer.
In the mean time as he's 1st choice it'd be good if the fans were a bit more supportive.

However on Saturday the guys sitting behind me were hilarious in the constant criticism of Murphy, made the match more bearable :-)

There's always one player who's out of favour and Pants' has now firmly established himself as a fully fledged member of the Useless Club alongside Osborn, Murphy & Watson and hall of famers such as Mills, Perch, Bowyer, Crosby et al.  ;)

Seriously, Saturday aside, I think Murphy has done pretty well for us this season considering his limited game time. He actually looked like he had some pace a few months ago.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

In answer to the original question...

Yes 100%.

[PsychoStanleyStone]

saves Penalty and follow up, that goal keeping coach .. has he fixed Pants?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

From villain to hero.

[wassy04]

saves Penalty and follow up, that goal keeping coach .. has he fixed Pants?

Well no he also made a howler for the first goal. Straight through his hands

[ozzyten10]

However he had a superb second half...

[PsychoStanleyStone]

saves Penalty and follow up, that goal keeping coach .. has he fixed Pants?

Well no he also made a howler for the first goal. Straight through his hands

how I saw it, he got a solid contact on the ball but not enough to stop it, taking into consideration it was windy, a lot of power, dip, fizz and bend … ok at worst it was a partial howler but I lean towards saying he'd save it 70% of the time but it's not an easy take

ultra consistent goalkeepers are very rare, I am not sure we would improve on Pants … he's a huge fella so you won't get the lightening quick reactions 

the bottom line for me is, i'd like to stick with him now, Steel and Smith are good and may become excellent

i'd say if Pants plays as well as he did today every game we'll be alright