We haven't even seen Joe play under Pep yet, not in a serious match, and yet he's somehow fallen short of the standards required! I could understand this line of argument if we'd played 6-10 games and it had become an issue in matches.I'd be less inclined to panic if I had Barca or Bayern's defence in front of me!
I'd say if the keeper being able to play the ball out from the back is integral, then so is the defence he's playing it out too - which includes Clichy and Kolarov. I'd say every single position on the pitch is integral to the system. 5-10% down will probably lose you the league in the PL. Probably not in Germany.
I don't think Joe's the weakest link, but if an opportunity arises to upgrade in his position, yes, we should take it - sometimes, it's all about timing / opportunity. But if there's a specific focus on a keeper upgrade ahead of all else, then that would be a worry (to me).
And as much as Hart is criticised for his distribution (which I do often!) - I've seen plenty of times when's he's been looking to distribute early and the rest of the team showing little urgency - and thus the opportunity is gone (i.e. it's not ALL his fault!).
If we're going to play it out from the back as a matter of course - there's not much point in Joe playing it to Kolarov / Clichy / Mangala etc unless they are equally as comfortable with it, and I'm not sure they are.
Honestly don't see the point of putting anyone on ignore. Seems like a bit of a soft arse way of dealing with things. So yes, I'd say he has you on his shit list :-)
Fucking hell, hasn't everyone turned into football fucking geniuses since Guardiola's arrival? Don't know why the club have bothered paying Guardiola all that money, they should have just come on here and got someone for around £100k a year.
Just paying attention to how the new manager works, mate. Nothing to do with trying to be a football genius. There's plenty about Pep I've not got a clue about and I'm looking forward to learning plenty. The goalkeeping issue I could see a mile off though.Fucking hell, hasn't everyone turned into football fucking geniuses since Guardiola's arrival? Don't know why the club have bothered paying Guardiola all that money, they should have just come on here and got someone for around £100k a year.
On the face of it, it seems that Joe isn't being given a chance to prove that he can actually do it. But could it be the case that Pep had spotted this flaw a while back and made it clear to him last season that he had to work on it and improve by the time he turned up? Maybe Joe didn't take this advice on board and that has pissed the manager off. I'm just speculating because it doesn't seem right to not at least give him a few weeks to work at it.
I think we both agree Willy's not the answer. Mind you, that depends on what the question is. ;-)I look forward to you singing your ditty after Willy scuffs the ball straight to Jermain Defoe half a dozen times today, and/or makes a pig's ear of every cross and corner like he did at Spurs last season...... ;-)
Brings a hole (sic) new meaning to goalkeeping cock-ups!I think we both agree Willy's not the answer. Mind you, that depends on what the question is. ;-)