Reina vs Kirkland

[marcgerard]

I thought Kirkland was a pretty good shot stopper, but then again most goalkeepers of that level are. He, however, never commanded the area the way you would want a top class goalkeeper to and that is the distinct difference between Reina and Kirkland.

When Reina is playing well you know he is coming for crosses and is unwilling to stay on the line. As a defender you know that and you can act on that knowledge. Kirkland sometimes stayed on his line and sometimes did nt, I thought there was alot more uncertainity when he played and I do not think he was sure of himself at corners with the defenders marking zonally. He also was less adept at clearing players out of the way than Reina, strange considering his size.

If you are playing a zonal system a goalkeeper that is willing to come off his line gives you that bit more assurance.

[dww]

I thought Kirkland was a pretty good shot stopper, but then again most goalkeepers of that level are. He, however, never commanded the area the way you would want a top class goalkeeper to and that is the distinct difference between Reina and Kirkland.

When Reina is playing well you know he is coming for crosses and is unwilling to stay on the line. As a defender you know that and you can act on that knowledge. Kirkland sometimes stayed on his line and sometimes did nt, I thought there was alot more uncertainity when he played and I do not think he was sure of himself at corners with the defenders marking zonally. He also was less adept at clearing players out of the way than Reina, strange considering his size.

If you are playing a zonal system a goalkeeper that is willing to come off his line gives you that bit more assurance.

Less so when you consider he is made of glass.

[Marky]

For any of you that were at the game, did he get a good reception from
the Liverpools and if so did he respond back? Just curious.

[Kiwi]

Was speaking to a Charlton s/t holder the other day about Carson and how his loan was going.He said that his
shot stopping was really good but his distribution was absolute crap. Plus Pepe acts like a sweeper so
effectively.

[Svennis]

If Reina would be English, media would give him a lot more credit. He would also be england's number one.

He's a very good keeper.

[Redlife]

If Reina would be English, media would give him a lot more credit.

He would also be england's number one.

He's a very good keeper.

True, true, and true.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Reina or Carson ?

This is surely a more relevant question.

We agree about something

Kirkland is rubbish. If he wasn't English, he wouldn't get a game anywhere in the Top Leagues.

He always let's goals in that never seems to be his fault. But they happen because of his poor positioning. Compare his actual saves to that of any other Keeper in the League.

Your Question about Reina and Carson?

IMO Reina shades Carson - Carson is probably the better shot stopper, but Reina's distribution and Sweeping ability makes him the better keeper. They are both young though and two Great prospects if they continue developing as expected.

Has anyone else noticed how many attacking positions have developed lately, because of Reina's ability to find our attackers with goalmouth clearances. He kicks the ball far and is very accurate

[KK07]

Reina has better awareness & better overall game whereas Carson is more a shot stopper

Sorry Dee not attacking you but that statement always cracks me up.

If he a keeper isn't a good shot stopper then what the **** is he doing in goal?

Surely shot stopping is the minimum requirement,after that you're looking at decision making and distribution?

It like saying that a striker is a good finisher!

Surely thats his job?
As in then link up play,holding up the ball,passing etc.... would be after?

Again not attacking Dee mate just making a point

[Fiddy]

I think he means more in terms of making diving stops - a lot of keepers (some Italians come to mind) aren't that athletic but get by on their superior positional sense - the ball always seems to go striaght at them. However, don't confuse this with being statuesque a la Kirkland. Another factor that muddies the water is the team the keeper is playing for, if they're crap then the keeper will inevitably have more work to do and all you'll see on MOTD is them diving about saving everything, like Mike Pollitt last season and Carson this. At the moment I think Pepe shades Carson in his positioning and command of his area and they're pretty similar in terms of 'shot stopping' - we've just seen more of Carson at it as Charlton have been so woeful. Kirkland on the other hand, as well as beeing made of glass and having feet of clay, has all the command of the worst supply teacher I'm sure we can all remember having at school

[Fiddy]

And PS with the striker analogy, there's plenty around that people don't call 'finishers' (Crouch springs to mind), but get in the team more because of their contribution in other areas, e.g linking play etc.

So we've got keepers that can't stop shots and strikers that can't finish

Examples? Roy Carroll and Emile Heskey

[Red_Polo]

He was fantastic for Coventry, **** knows what went wrong all the injuries and time out of playing must have just done the damage.

[KK07]

And PS with the striker analogy, there's plenty around that people don't call 'finishers' (Crouch springs to mind), but get in the team more because of their contribution in other areas, e.g linking play etc.

So we've got keepers that can't stop shots and strikers that can't finish

Examples? Roy Carroll and Emile Heskey

True enough

I may have shot myself in the foot with the striker analogy but I still think I'm right with the keeper one.

Surely saving shots whether athletically or not should be the only starting point when looking at a goal keeper?

I mean you wouldn't say "Hes got great positioning,punching,catching and distribution,but he has to work on stopping the ball go past him!!"

[dww]

He was fantastic for Coventry, **** knows what went wrong all the injuries and time out of playing must have just done the damage.

He was also good for West Brom at the beginning of last season and has in genral been pretty decent for Wigan this. I think people are being very harsh on him, personally I think he is a good mid-premiership keeper. He doesn't have what it takes to take the step up as he does not command his box enough and although he is a great shot stopper he doesn't have the concentration that has allowed Reina to pull of blinding saves, such as against Middlesborough, when he has had **** all else to do all game.

Also, unlike Reina he has trouble putting mistakes behind him in a game. I know Reina was shaky at the beginning of the season but he has recovered exceptionally well. I think it is fair to say that along with Cech he is one of the best young keepers in the world.

[Mumsafan]

For any of you that were at the game, did he get a good reception from
the Liverpools and if so did he respond back? Just curious.

I don't think he did you know. Maybe cos he has slagged us to the press. Heskey was laughed at from the first minute. Everytime he fell over there were loud guffaws