Simon Mignolet

[Pablo]

Kolo would be a great leader but he's not on the field long enough. Best leader we have is Henderson. He covers most of the pitch, is vocal and Ive always favoured centre mids being captain.

I still think Henderson is a touch soft to be a captain personally. He doesn't come across as a natural leader to me. I realise I'm in the minority thinking that but **** it.

I can accept he deserved the vice captaincy for his overall play though.

[Norbs]

There are better captains out there, it's just that none of them play for Liverpool. We have a squad of pussies, tickos and trapist monks,

[kubrickscube]

Thought Mig looked quite assured against Madrid - or was that just because the defence were better protected?

[Daniel 7]

Simon Stainrod
Simon Sturridge
Paul Simon

[dww]

I get your points lads, but a good goalkeeper can definitely have a calming influence on a defence. Just knowing the guy behind the sticks has got your back can really help. Mignolet has been ok so far this season for me, but I definitely feel he's contributed to a nervousness in our defending this season at times.

I'd be delighted if we brought in Begovic personally.

I think anything resembling a calming influence would be nice in our defense. Keepers tend to get more blame than any other individual because they have a lone role and there are a lot of myths about how much they influence their team. On the other hand they are an integral part of the defence.

Currently we have no one in the back 6 (keeper, back four and DM) that I'd be 100% sure deserves a place in the team let alone who I would want to act as a reference point for others.

I'd imagine many of the concerns re: Mignolet would be eliminated should we have a calm head in front of him in the style of a peak Hyypia.

[baitman]

has anyone noticed that when an oppo team has a free kick and we are getting the wall lined up, poor simon mignolet is screaming his little head off trying to attract some attention to pass instructions as to where he wants the wall...

"STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE..."

and not one **** was given by anyone else. its like he is an invisible mute

[Norbs]

Alan! Alan! Alan! Alan! Alan!

Stevie! Stevie!

Alan! Alan! Alan!

Mignolet's inanimal is a prairie dog

[Kenneth]

Dan!

[Darkon]

[Slinky Skills]

I actually think he's improved these last few games.

Has been much more forceful coming out of goal and more commanding and he's been punching the ball away with a lot more aggression too.

Still needs to improve though.

[DannyMan2006]

Been a lot better since the Madrid game IMO.

The issue is he's not very good with the ball at his feet, which is what you need if you're a top side these days. I'd highlight three key areas:

1. Shot stopping. Most important attribute for a keeper. Not many better around than Mignolet.

2. Command of the area. Coming out, clearing up danger, knowing when to go and when to stay. Improved of late, he's been very ropey this season. Not a strong area for Migs.

3. Distribution. In his hands and on a counter, he's quick to assess and do a short throw to launch a counter. But his footwork when he's being passed to, and kicking in general, is poor.

For me, if you're a possession based team who build from the back you need a keeper with great footwork. But the rest of their attributes also need to match up. Is Mignolet good enough? No. Will he become good enough? I don't think so.

But who is out there who will excel at all the attributes we need? I don't know of any realistic ones off the top of my head.

[baitman]

i would much sooner have a keeper who can stop the ball going into the net.
mig can do this if its a direct shot, but if the ball is bobbling around he almost freezes and expects others to clear it.
the trouble is too many others are also having issues with brain/body coordination.

[Chazza]

[Lee]

Carra's being polite.

Couldn't believe my eyes when that happened.

[G]

I've seen that vine loads of times now and I still can't hear anything!