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New Keeper

Apparently the 1st choice Slovakian keeper, Jan Mucha, who plays in Poland has signed a "pre-contract agreement" with us.

If so, great news — only 6 months too late? After our luck with injuries this season I would be almightly concerned if Howard took a knock, got injured etc. The names Nash and Turner dont really inspire confidence...
John Crook, Preston Posted 21/01/2010 at 10:54:27

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James Elworthy
1 Posted 21/01/2010 at 14:52:34

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Makes sense.

Nash is in the final season of a 2-year contract. Turner just isnt good enough. Ruddy is doing a useful job at Motherwell but I think he will reach a point soon where he wants a permanent move.

The one thing I noticed about Nash in his one and only the game v Bate was he was off his line quick to the edge of the box to gather through balls, a weakness in Howard's game.

There are not many clubs with a good back up keeper, the Redshite are a classic example of that.

Gavin Ramejkis
2 Posted 21/01/2010 at 15:47:47

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James, another annoyance for me with Howard is that he never throws the ball out for a break away down the wing either.

James Elworthy
3 Posted 21/01/2010 at 16:18:43

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I don't think any goalie is fault-free. Howard has let a few long distance ones fly past him also but I do think he is in the best 6 or 7 goalies in the league.

Talking of bad back-up goalies, how about the Aston Villa one last night? He was bad with a capital B.

Karl Masters
4 Posted 21/01/2010 at 18:20:03

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Howard has a weak spot on long range shots and is a bit slow off his line, but is a good shot stopper and cool under pressure at crosses.

Overall, we can’t complain too much and he has saved some important penalties too ( understatement ) and kept something like 31 clean sheets in 76 League games between Aug 2007 and May 2009, breaking 2 of Neville Southall’s records in the process.

A bargain for £3m.

At a tangent, but still on the subject of new players, did anybody watch West Brom at Newcastle the other night? What a great footballing display by the Baggies and the lad Graham Dorrans was a class act. One to keep an eye on.

Trevor Lynes
5 Posted 21/01/2010 at 19:33:28

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Karl...I wholeheartedly agree and I would add Church to Dorrans as he ran his heart out and had a fair amount of skill and strength (much better than Johnson, Beattie and Vaughn).

I'm sure that one or two of the best of Reading's players would also be good squad signings... there are decent players in the Championship who would be much cheaper than buying ready-made ’so-called’ stars who are much more costly.

We have bought some bargains but we have also wasted money and time on the likes of Beattie and Jo was not worth his wages. I am waiting for Yakubu to improve and can understand why he has never spent too long with any club. Let's hope that our other long-term injured players return to full fitness and form...

Stephen Kenny
6 Posted 21/01/2010 at 22:47:30

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I think Ruddy and Turner should be further up the pecking order than Nash.

Both have had rave reviews out on loan.

Keith Glazzard
7 Posted 21/01/2010 at 23:33:59

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Simple housekeeping.

Worry more about the frequency of bin lorries.

Big Tim is quietly setting EFC records, partly by shouting at his team mates.

He needs proper back-up, as does every player, but the goalie is a little bit more specialised. Left back comes next.

Danny Burke
8 Posted 22/01/2010 at 10:38:14

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The problem with keeprs is that you can only play one at a time and to get the best out of them (as with any player) they need a decent run in the side. If a keeper is any good he will want to move on to get a game every week and not want to warm the bench. Look at Foster at Utd, thinks he should be playing for England but is maybe 3rd choice there at the mo, he will probably want to move on. Joe Hart at City, Carson and Kirkland at the our neighbours, even our own Tim Howard have all been out on loan in the past because they dont want to sit on the bench every week.
That is why I have been happy with Nash and before him Wessells, experienced goalies who have been happy to sit on the bench.
Good luck to Jan Mucha!

Duncan McDine
9 Posted 22/01/2010 at 10:44:21

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Slovakia’s number 1,
Slovakia’s Slovakia’s number 1,

Slovakia’s number 1,
Slovakia’s Slovakia’s number 1,

doesn’t work.

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