Reina

[BobTheCharmer]

C'mon that's crap and you know it. Overall he is a good keeper and will get better, how many keepers his age are plying their trade with the top teams in europe, not many. It's a learning curve, and it's a position that you can improve in with age, and with training. So to say he flaps and always will is a bit silly.

I'm not saying he's a poor keeper, far from it. Its just I don't see him as world class now or anytime soon.

He does flap at crosses. I can't see why this will change. Half of the flapping comes from his decision to punch the ball, which is in most foreign keepers makeup.

But of course I'm wrong and because Rafa rates him he must be the best keeper ever.

[Morph]

Not at all, he might not turn out to be the best keeper in the world (probably won't), but you can't make a claim that he will always flap at crosses. His decision making will get better, as does anyone who does their job for a long time (providing they work at it), and I'm sure they work on that in training with him.

If I recall, it was Rafa who told him to punch the ball more, as Reina aluded to it being different here than in Spain. That he doesn't have the time to come out and catch it, so it is easier and quicker to punch the ball. I don't mind the punching, it will stop most players trying to head it, when they see Reina's fist coming towards them.

Sure he's a little unsettled now, but he's been having to deal with more crosses than usual from his left, and hasn't had the benefit of a settled middle two in front of him. I'm sure it's difficult when he's expecting Agger to do something Hyypia might have done had he been in the middle. For instance Hyypia heads the ball back to Reina a lot for him to pick up, neither Carra nor Agger do this much. Carra prefers to let the ball pass him and block the attacking player off while Reina picks up.

I'm sure when Reina gets used to what each of his defenders is going to attempt he'll look more comfortable, and in turn might not flap as much when the ball comes into the box.

[Shaggy]

Clemence suffered from the same thing - because he worked with and organized the defence so well, and covered so effectively in a sweeper/goalie role, he was called on less to make 'match winning saves' (although he usually did when called upon), whereas Shilton made a lot of fuss, shouted and barked at his defenders, and made at least one save for the cameras every game, and as such was more highly rated by the kind of people who are impressed by that kind of thing.

Bottom line for Keepers is whether they let goals in, and Reina has had 2 years of excellent Clean Sheet performances, behind different defences. Yes he's had a dodgy spell, but when we don't let goals in, he's entitled to his fair share of the credit.

Great post.

[alunevans]

I understand your feelings as I think he makes more mistakes than he should. On the lack of outstanding saves though, I'd counter that he cut out the need for outstanding saves by how alert he is sweeping up around his box.

[anfieldanfield]

He's been a total liability all season, Dudek deserves a game.

[Rich]

He's hardly been a liability - that's a bit strong. He hasn't reached the heights of last year, but I still prefer him over Dudek!

[Rich]

I've got the feeling that we'll be seeing Zenden start against Bolton at Alonso's expense.

EDIT: How the hell did that happen?!?

[Red_Polo]

Back to Reina - I found the 10-game trial comment by Rafa a little perplexing to be honest. Why did he say it?

I think it was taken out of context a bit by the tabloids tbh

It was more a case of Rafa saying of course I will give him another game - I will give him another ten even because I know he's a quality keeper.

[Neil Young]

Ah, thanks Polo, that makes sense.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I think Scott Carson might take his place off him next year. He's been brilliant for Charlton so far.

[Sir Bob]

Reina is a very good keeper but is far from the finished article. The praise last year was OTT as is much of the criticism now.

Reina has always been dodgy in the air & still is. He needs to work on this & will I'm sure improve. His form is a concern. He was very poor in the Cup Final & I'm not sure he's been the same since.

He will be become a world class keeper but he's not there yet. In my view he's not quite in the same class as Cech, Van der Sar & Lehmann but will be in a few seasons time.