Pepe Reina

[dww]

I actually don't think Reina is that good a keeper, improvement on the likes of Dudek, James, Westerveld and Kirkland but definitely short of the Cech, Casillas, Buffons of this world.

Reina is rarely ever called into action as a shotstopper (the bread and butter of a goalkeepers skills), the teams approach to defensive play seems to be about denying the opposition chances and Reina with his sweeper style is a part of this..but when it comes to making "clutch saves" apart from the obvious penalty shootout victories I can't think of too many..The Fabregas equaliser earlier this season was one effort he should have saved.

I'm not sure you can split out shot stopping like that. There are many spectacular shot stoppers in the PL who will never be a top keeper - stand up David James, Shay Given etc. because they lack the positioning, communication, ability to distribute the ball, claim crosses or mentality to put inevitable mistakes behind them.

Reina doesn't make many spectacular saves because of the way we set up the team that is true but particularly in other seasons we would not have been able to play the way we had if he hadn't been such a rock at the back.

You pick out one instance where he has made a mistake - and that one is arguable I would say that to be a top keeper a key is to react well in the rare occasions when you are called into action and for me Reina more often than not does that. His concentration is fantastic.

Added to all this he sweeps up behind our sometimes desperately paceless CBs with great aplomb.

So basically - there may be one or two keepers in teh same class as him in the world but still:

Reina

[Biff]

One thing I do find funny is the constant reference to being a 'a good shot stopper'.....after all isn't that what keepers are paid for...??

That said, he's the best we've had since Bruce

[kop-al-74]

Best keeper since Brucie imo.In the top 3 in the world and i wouldn't swap him with any of the others.He is part of the irreplaceable spine of our team along with Carra,Gerrard and Torres.

Good shout Coops.

[Assassin]

Fastest keeper ever to reach 50 clean cheets, beating Ray Clemence



He`s already my 2`nd best keeper ever and if he keeps this up for one, maybe 2 more seasons then he will even overtake Clemence in my eyes



Well done Pepe, not just for the clean sheets, but for setting up so many attacks as well. Best keeper in the world in my eyes.

Aye, apart from his stopping capabilities, there isnt another keeper in the world who is so comfortable with the ball at his feet

[Dan]

Pepe

I dont think I'd have any other keeper in for Pepe, quality quality keeper and imo the best all round in the world

[ForeverRed]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmjPVkZbtso