bizzbo
Well-Known Member
I understand that people are dismayed by this, but the clues are there if you read Joe's comments in full.... something like 'one minute you are the best young keeper in england the next you are being replaced'. this hurt him, hurt him badly. McLeish knows that and is working on it, but he's made sure he doesn't cross any lines.
although many people at the time scratched their heads when Hughes targeted the Goalkeeping position, I thought replacing Hart was justified and understandable IF the new senior keeper provided a foundation for the team with his distribution, even when under pressure.... well, I love Shay's mentality and his shot-stopping, but at Sunderland we saw the same old story yet again.... one or two strikers in our third of the pitch = our keeper deciding the only thing to do was to punt it upfield to a bunch of midgets.... a short term 'safe' solution that only makes it harder for us to get any hold on the outfield play.
the amount of times I've seen us do this is ridiculous, infuriating. is it English coaching? are they hard-wired to punt at the sign of any trouble whatsoever? is it just the thought of passing on to players like richards and bridge, who can react even worse when asked to take possession under pressure?
either way, it has to stop, please, someone, make it stop. you need eleven footballers on the pitch who can work together and see out a bit of pressure..... they all have to have faith in each other.
although many people at the time scratched their heads when Hughes targeted the Goalkeeping position, I thought replacing Hart was justified and understandable IF the new senior keeper provided a foundation for the team with his distribution, even when under pressure.... well, I love Shay's mentality and his shot-stopping, but at Sunderland we saw the same old story yet again.... one or two strikers in our third of the pitch = our keeper deciding the only thing to do was to punt it upfield to a bunch of midgets.... a short term 'safe' solution that only makes it harder for us to get any hold on the outfield play.
the amount of times I've seen us do this is ridiculous, infuriating. is it English coaching? are they hard-wired to punt at the sign of any trouble whatsoever? is it just the thought of passing on to players like richards and bridge, who can react even worse when asked to take possession under pressure?
either way, it has to stop, please, someone, make it stop. you need eleven footballers on the pitch who can work together and see out a bit of pressure..... they all have to have faith in each other.