12 Jun 2018 09:53:48
I’ve used the search function and read a lot of opinions on Nick Pope. I haven’t managed to find any evidence of genuine interest in him though.

I appreciate that we had/ have interest in Navas and Alisson. I also understand Macca believed we were interested in Butland but we may have changed course. Now it’s being reported that we have taken a step back from Alisson because of the price. People won’t agree with this but that’s good in my eyes, too much money on a player who, like Pope has had one good season, in a different league, albeit he is more suited to our style of play.

So do we know who was further down the list so to speak? Is there interest in Pope, will we go back to Butland? If what Macca said is true, and I was Butland, there’s no way I’d sign for a club after looking for houses and then the club says ‘actually we’re going to look for a better option because our keeper had a Weston in the UCL final. ’

Maybe Navas will be looked at once the merry go round begins? Is that the expectation now? I understand if you simply cannot know but maybe we could have an article on goalkeepers? Thanks.

1.) 12 Jun 2018
12 Jun 2018 10:11:43
Ed001, I was going to start another thread, but I might as well piggy back on this one. I've seen various people talking about Pope and why he may be a good or better option than Butland etc. My question is what is your opinion of him as a keeper? We seem to have a crop of English keepers who people rate higher than they should because they are English, and Pope, I think, falls into this category. Like Pickford, when he played for Sunderland, got lots of exposure (or exposed lots of times) and looked better than he seems to be. Put them in a more progressive team, where they get less protection and have to make better decisions and their flaws get exposed.

{Ed001's Note - I did a player profile on him a few weeks back: HERE

2.) 12 Jun 2018
12 Jun 2018 10:13:27
I don't mind doing an article on keepers mate. Might try a new writing style I've been playing around with.

3.) 12 Jun 2018
12 Jun 2018 10:49:52
Sound like Adam’s on it. Thanks, I know we share similar views on Pope. Perhaps you could throw in something on how important it really is to have a keeper to fit a team. distribution or whether it’s better to have an Oblak (who also plays in a defensive team) who is great or a run of the mill keeper who fits better.
Alisson, although capped by Brazil a few times before his move to Roma, has had his best season this year at 25. Could there be 2 keepers coming? Karius and how he continues.

4.) 12 Jun 2018
12 Jun 2018 12:29:38
English, Adam?

5.) 12 Jun 2018
12 Jun 2018 12:40:53
Cheers ed, must’ve missed that one. Pretty much tallies in with my thoughts exactly. Makes a good highlight reel, but would be frustrating a lot of the time when his all round game is called in to question.

{Ed001's Note - spot on mate.}