Simon Mignolet

[Roland]

So which world class teams, better than Man City or Chelsea, put crosses in the box then?

Almost everyone will do it against us. Would be stupid not to do it. Change of tactic because they play against us.

[dom9]

Almost everyone will do it against us. Would be stupid not to do it. Change of tactic because they play against us.

I disagree with that.

[Fosterbloke]

Almost everyone will do it against us. Would be stupid not to do it. Change of tactic because they play against us.

Not sure if serious...

[Red_Polo]

Almost everyone will do it against us. Would be stupid not to do it. Change of tactic because they play against us.

Your posting style reminds me of someone, Arn. Can't think who mind.

[TheElephantMan]

I agree that shot-stopping is much more important than distribution, Mignolet's distribution is better than Jens Lehmann's was and I always thought he was an excellent keeper. Van der Sar was atrocious with the ball at his feet, but he was a very good goalie too. It's difficult to get someone who has the athletic ability and is also comfortable passing the ball. We were spoilt for a while with Reina, but his shot stopping ability became a problem. Mignolet might never be able to improve his kicking, but if he consistently makes important saves then that's what he's employed to do. No point replacing him unless we can find with someone who is significantly better at stopping and kicking. I thought he was mainly excellent yesterday, we'd have lost points if he hadn't made a few superb saves.

[dom9]

I agree that shot-stopping is much more important than distribution, Mignolet's distribution is better than Jens Lehmann's was and I always thought he was an excellent keeper. Van der Sar was atrocious with the ball at his feet, but he was a very good goalie too. It's difficult to get someone who has the athletic ability and is also comfortable passing the ball. We were spoilt for a while with Reina, but his shot stopping ability became a problem. Mignolet might never be able to improve his kicking, but if he consistently makes important saves then that's what he's employed to do. No point replacing him unless we can find with someone who is significantly better at stopping and kicking. I thought he was mainly excellent yesterday, we'd have lost points if he hadn't made a few superb saves.

Can't really disagree with any of that.

[Red_Polo]

Except the bit about van der Sar, his distribution was one of his strengths and he was always incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet. He had to work hard when he was younger to bring his shot stopping up to that level.

I definitely agree with the overall view of the post though, there's little point replacing Mignolet unless we've found ourselves someone exceptional.

[inijjer]

A few times yesterday he lofted very high balls that didn't even make the half way line and immediately put us back under pressure. I've been watching it and he often puts us under pressure that way. Later on in the game though he hit two beauties into their half which got us on the front foot. He's a mixed bag and needs to improve on that score. His shot stopping is excellent and he has time to improve the rest.

Apparently it was stupidly windy.

[Zapater]

It's not just his distribution though, his command of the area, particularly under the high ball is extremely questionable. He was extremely lucky to get away with one or two yesterday. There were countless times he ran out last season and flapped wildly too.

As everyone knows he does have some very good positive attributes, but I don't like him. I feel the style of keeper we're going a step back. Obviously Reina wasn't working out here anymore but I Mignolet as a long term number 1 doesn't sit well with me. I feel similar to how I did about Dudek. A good player, but not good enough to be first choice for a top team.

[G]

Courtois pretty ropey with the boot tonight too. Maybe it's a Belgian thing

[Fredo]

Courtois' handling was magnificent. Owned his box. That's exactly the goalkeeper we need. Forget a striker, go and get him and we'll win the league.

[dom9]

It's not just his distribution though, his command of the area, particularly under the high ball is extremely questionable. He was extremely lucky to get away with one or two yesterday. There were countless times he ran out last season and flapped wildly too.

As everyone knows he does have some very good positive attributes, but I don't like him. I feel the style of keeper we're going a step back. Obviously Reina wasn't working out here anymore but I Mignolet as a long term number 1 doesn't sit well with me. I feel similar to how I did about Dudek. A good player, but not good enough to be first choice for a top team.

So who would you go for, and would he be a higher priority than the other positions?

[Rich]

Cech?

[dom9]

Cech?

The second choice Chelsea keeper? Maybe you have a point.

[Fredo]

Cech?

Good call actually but Chelsea will never let him go to us. I'm sure he'll jump at the chance though.