James Trafford

[blueparrot]

Sorry, I meant that what we saw from Kusanov on the pitch for City was largely positive

I’m not particularly down on the signing but the lack of experience is a concern

Re signings. Most of our most successful signings did have experience of the CL and or PL/top European league
Ederson
Bernardo
Haaland
Marhez
Dias
Rodders. He took a year to settle, of the new keeper takes that long then we’ve a problem
Stones
Walker
Sterling
Etc.

This signing is a risk but given I’ve no idea who a close to risk free alternative would be, I’m happy enough

He’s clearly a confident chap with a good Championship season behind him

To be honest if he turns out like Rodri but takes a year to settle, I’d still go with that.

 

[Blue Hefner]

To be honest if he turns out like Rodri but takes a year to settle, I’d still go with that.

Playing in midfield is different as solutions and replacements can be found during that setting in period - What are we going to do, drop our new keeper after a couple of weeks and then stick the #2 in?

For this to be successful I think it has to work quickly. Anything like the cock ups he made the last time he was in the league could be devastating

I’ve not seen him since he was last in the league so hopefully he’s improved all round but particularly in build and strength

 

[Marvin.]

Feeling optimistic about this. Even though we'd definitely miss the part of Ederson's game where his precision passing all over the pitch creates chances and gives us a new dimension, his overall tally of assists in his City career is 7 — while ridiculous for a keeper, is still probably a lot, lot less than the number of goals he should have saved but didn't over the years

So even if Trafford is not going to be Ederson on the ball, he's significantly better at shot-stopping and only going to improve in this area (while Ederson has been mediocre at best for two years) and on net, will help us win more points than Ederson does

I say give Trafford this season to prove if he can be our number 1, if it goes well, amazing, if it doesn't, we can bring in a top keeper to challenge him for his spot

Ederson's passing game also contributes to goals indirectly. If Ederson wants to go, I would approve of Trafford in. Ederson didn't have the best season last season.

I think that defending at set-pieces is becoming more important after Arsenal's tactics. Trafford has an important height advantage

 

[johnny crossan]

I’m just talking about in general with what we’ve achieved with him in goal as without a doubt he’s been instrumental. I think his shot blocking is some times underrated then he has a howler. That CL final he was brilliant.

We’ve had some great keepers in our history so I don’t want to disrespect any of them. But it’s hard to rival what we’ve done in recent years let’s be honest.

Joe Hart? You can separate the team's achievements from those of an individual within it but I agree Eddy's contribution to Pep's success was essential.

 

[Gobshiight]

How's he when dealing with crosses?

My mind's been at ease ever since Ederson joined, so I hope I don't have to start worrying about flappy hands whenever we concede a corner

 

[Dribble]

Well if he's over the chronic foot problem he had, why should we not keep him?

If not his chronic foot problem, it'll be something else. Unfortunately, it always is with Stones.

 

[Blue Since 76]

Assuming the club has decided he's the right replacement, ideal situation would be for him to replace Ortega with Ederson doing another season. He'd (hopefully) get plenty of games in the Carabao and FA Cup and maybe a few in the CL group if we can manage to qualify a bit earlier.

He gets chance to settle back in, learn how he'll need to play and it takes the pressure off being a big money replacement. It also doesn't really impact him - unless Pickford gets injured or a serious loss of form, he'll be England's first choice next summer regardless, and Trafford will have >10years to be at the top after that

 

[Blue Hefner]

Assuming the club has decided he's the right replacement, ideal situation would be for him to replace Ortega with Ederson doing another season. He'd (hopefully) get plenty of games in the Carabao and FA Cup and maybe a few in the CL group if we can manage to qualify a bit earlier.

He gets chance to settle back in, learn how he'll need to play and it takes the pressure off being a big money replacement. It also doesn't really impact him - unless Pickford gets injured or a serious loss of form, he'll be England's first choice next summer regardless, and Trafford will have >10years to be at the top after that

I agree. But unfortunately we seem to be doing it the other way round. Trafford will be the direct replacement for Ederson and will leapfrog Ortega. Leaving us with a #2 who will probably have the hump and a third choice who I hadn’t heard of until few weeks ago

Trafford needs to hit the ground running. Hopefully, he’s up to it but it’s a big risk in my view

 

[Corky]

Ederson's passing game also contributes to goals indirectly. If Ederson wants to go, I would approve of Trafford in. Ederson didn't have the best season last season.

I think that defending at set-pieces is becoming more important after Arsenal's tactics. Trafford has an important height advantage

How's he when dealing with crosses?

My mind's been at ease ever since Ederson joined, so I hope I don't have to start worrying about flappy hands whenever we concede a corner

The worst aspect of Trafford's game.

 

[Blue Hefner]

The worst aspect of Trafford's game.

Oh….

So, poor at crosses. His last time in the Premier League was catastrophic but on the bright side he is good against players who are 21 or under and good at saving shots against Championship strikers.

Just what we are looking for!!

 

[Zenmanc]

I didn’t know that’s how an opinion works. I won’t question your opinion or ask anything next time, but then again that is how a forum usually works :)

You asked.

 

[Berti No Show]

This guy is levels down from ederson let's be real. Would be a massive downgrade

I don't think he is tbh. Ederson has been fantastic for us for a number of years, but in the last 12 months it's shoot on sight for any team. His save percentage is one of the worst in the league and his distribution (which is his best asset) has been really poor.

 

[Gorbachev]

I don't think he is tbh. Ederson has been fantastic for us for a number of years, but in the last 12 months it's shoot on sight for any team. His save percentage is one of the worst in the league and his distribution (which is his best asset) has been really poor.

His head just hasn't been at the club and it is the right time to move on.

Not convinced wholly yet Trafford is the man to do that though.

He was playing in a very defensive team at Burnley so was well protected, and they went down with one of the best squads in the Championship by a long way so were always going to be in the mix to come back up.

Going from a defensive team in the Championship to an open expansive team where letting a goal in can cost you the league title is some jump.

I think a lot on here a being blind sighted a little by him being a local lad and City trained.

Had we signed him from a Spanish Segunda B team that had just been promoted to replace arguably our greatest GK ever, I think many on here would question the validity.

I hope the club have got the data right.

 

[Berti No Show]

His head just hasn't been at the club and it is the right time to move on.

Not convinced wholly yet Trafford is the man to do that though.

He was playing in a very defensive team at Burnley so was well protected, and they went down with one of the best squads in the Championship by a long way so were always going to be in the mix to come back up.

Going from a defensive team in the Championship to an open expansive team where letting a goal in can cost you the league title is some jump.

I think a lot on here a being blind sighted a little by him being a local lad and City trained.

Had we signed him from a Spanish Segunda B team that had just been promoted to replace arguably our greatest GK ever, I think many on here would question the validity.

I hope the club have got the data right.

You've just got to trust the club I suppose. If they think he's the man to replace Ederson, then we've just got to trust them.

Hugo Viana has done a cracking job so far identifying what we have needed and bringing in future possible world class players like Reis, Nypan and Khusanov, so I trust him.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

You've just got to trust the club I suppose. If they think he's the man to replace Ederson, then we've just got to trust them.

Hugo Viana has done a cracking job so far identifying what we have needed and bringing in future possible world class players like Reis, Nypan and Khusanov, so I trust him.

Also he’s a former academy player. If you look at the talent we’ve produced recently, chances are he will be a top talent or a player with huge potential.

 

[Gordyola]

He was playing in a very defensive team at Burnley so was well protected,

Was he really though? Kompany was criticised for not being pragmatic enough to change his progress style to suit a promoted team

 

[oldius]

I don't think he is tbh. Ederson has been fantastic for us for a number of years, but in the last 12 months it's shoot on sight for any team. His save percentage is one of the worst in the league and his distribution (which is his best asset) has been really poor.

This needs to be balanced against the quality of chances created against us - save percentage on its own is insufficient as we concede few chances, but they are off exceptional quality, statistically speaking.

 

[Master-Lotus]

We need both Costa and Trafford. Ederson and Ortega need to be sold.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Assuming Ederdon stays next season, pay the buyback and leave Trafford where he is.
He'll get enough practice at Burnley.
Draft him into the squad for 2026 season.

 

[Withnail]

I don't think he is tbh. Ederson has been fantastic for us for a number of years, but in the last 12 months it's shoot on sight for any team. His save percentage is one of the worst in the league and his distribution (which is his best asset) has been really poor.

His distribution hasn't been really poor, it perhaps isn't as good as a couple of years ago. But he is still one of the best keeper's in terms of ball distribution.