Fans Comment
Dutch Schaeffer

Goalkeeping Crises!
27/03/06

As a change from the repetitive posts about Moyes and the derby disappointment flooding the mailbag, I thought I'd talk about what I feel is one of the biggest problems Everton have.  The Goalkeeping Crises.

The problem...

Nigel Martyn
A great servant to the club over the past 3 years.  His £225,000 transfer fee was an amazing deal by Moyes.  Unfortunately, Nige is fast approaching 40 and this season we have started to see a slight drop in his performance level.  He could still be around next season but maybe not as first choice.

Dickie Wright
In the past, I have always defended Dickie.  I felt in his first season for Everton he was decent.  He played almost every game and Everton finished 7th.  Unfortunately, an injury allowed Martyn to get into the side and Dickie has never been a regular since.  Maybe it's a confidence problem but, every time Dickie got a chance to get back into the first team, things turned sour for him — the 7-0 humiliation by Arsenal was his lowest point.  But still I kept a secret candle for him, believing that a run in the side could return the player almost every writer, fan and manager had tipped as England's future No1. 

Sadly this season has seen Dickie get that run in the side and it has also proved he's simply not up to the job.  The 'sign' injury brought back memories of the 'loft' injury...  The soft goal he conceded against Aston Villa was pretty much the end of my Dickie supporting.  The Luis Garcia goal this weekend was completely Dickie's fault; true, Naysmith was lost in no-man's land but if Dickie had stayed on his line he would have made it so much more difficult for Garcia to score.  Instead, he came running out like a headless flapper and looked stupid when Garcia chipped him, effectively ending the game and my support of Dickie.

Turner & Ruddy
Both of them appear to be too young for the first team this or next season.  Turner showed his inexperience when he got sent off.  Ruddy looked good against Blackburn but you can understand Moyes's reluctance to name either player Everton's No 1.  So it seems pretty clear that Moyes needs to bring in a new keeper over the summer.  I would suggest he also tries to sell or maybe part-exchange Dickie Wright while we can still demand a transfer fee for him. 

Are there any possible goalkeepers out there?  If Moyes secretly feels Turner/Ruddy will never be good enough, then he should consider bringing in a young keeper for the next 10 years.  A perfect candidate would be Norwich's Robert Green.  He's right age at 26 and has established himself as an England squad member.  Norwich are unlikely to get promotion this season so I expect Green to demand a transfer in the summer.  The downfall to Green is that 'bigger' clubs will no doubt be interested.

Another young goalkeeping candidate could be 23-year-old Chris Kirkland.  Tipped to be England's next No1 but looks surplus at Liverpool.  He's on-loan at West Brom but if they are relegated its unlikely Kirkland will seek a permanent move.  Unfortunately, Kirkland's downfall is that he appears to be constantly injured.  Is he worth taking a chance on? 

On the other hand if Moyes does believe that the future of goalkeeping at Everton does lay in Turner or Ruddy, then he should consider bringing in an older keeper until the youngsters are ready.  Top candidates would surely include 36-year-old Arsenal reserve Mart Poom, transfer demanding 35-year-old Boro stopper Mark Schwarzer, or maybe even try and tempt 32-year-old Carlo Cudicini away from Chelsea. 

Anyway those are my thoughts on the goalkeeping issue — but what do I know?  I'm sure Moyes has the situation in hand.
Dutch Schaeffer


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