This thread gets ridiculous at times.
Was JH responsible for both Villa goals? Little doubt about the first. Came, got nowhere near it. Didn't get back on his line and was punished.
Second. You could make a case either way. He came, got only a slight hand on it, put it back into the mixer and because no-one else was there to clear Sanchez had a easy(ish) finish. However, Fernando who was in front of him was nowhere near getting to it, and he was wedged between two other players. To be honest did well to get a hand on hand on it. The much, much bigger problem for that goal was that Sanchez was completely unmarked twelve yards out. That isn't really JH's fault and if somebody was picking him up there would have been no goal and the punch would have been seen as a good effort to get the ball clear.
Criticism about him bringing down Beneteke is nuts. Did everything right and at that point you need luck to be on your side, which fortunately it was.
The biggest problem about this thread is that everybody who is banging on about getting rid has presented no viable alternative to JH. Like seriously, this isn't football manager. The team balance and transfer policy is a very delicate and sensitive. It's not being able to see the wood for the trees. We can't exist in a world were we hound out a good English keeper without having another who is at least equal in terms of ability. Ideally, given our invest elsewhere it is likely that the GK position will need a homegrown player. You can't just claim he should go without backing up your points with some responsibility about who might replace him? That's like me saying I'm going to sell my car because there are better ones out there. That doesn't mean I am anywhere near a position in which I could buy one!
Neuer - Maybe better but he isn't coming and is fallible himself [as shown by some YouTube videos earlier]. Was rubbish v us in the CL earlier this season.
Willy - Pellegrini showed last season he'd pick the keeper on best form. If Willy was better than Joe he'd be playing.
Casillas - Great servant for club and country. Would be like a chocolate teapot at stoke away. Would be a big weak link for us.
Valdes - At united anyway. More of a CB than a goalkeeper. Loves a mistake.
Courtois - Isn't coming. Remember six years ago JH was at Birmingham at was so good he was also nominated into the PFA team of the year. Frankly no-one has any idea just how go he may or may not be in the coming years. Do you think if Mourinho knew he was the mustard he would have kept Cech last summer instead of cashing in for what would have been probably a good amount of cash?
De Gea - See above. He's had a great season, no doubt. Is he better than Joe was at 24?
Begovic - No top team has ever taken a punt, neither here or abroad. Prone to the odd mistake too (see this weekend v Sunderland for just one example).
Buffon - Probably one of, if not the best, I've ever seen. More chance of Me signing for United than Buffon ending up at City.
Forster - No better or worse than Joe.
Blood some youth (somebody said earlier) - Gunn and Lawlor both have futures in the game, maybe even one at City as a third backup (a bit like Ben Amost at United). Would I be comfortable with MP chucking them straight into the prem when we're fighting for top 4? No way. Stability is key.
The problem with listing many others from Europe is we have no idea whether they will be up to the rigours or pace of the prem. We've seen many a good keeper from abroad have an absolute stinker in the prem. Any deal for us would probably cost a lot too.
If I had to get rid of Joe (and I by no means would I want to) these are the only two I feel are suitable;
Lloris - Fulfils sweeper role, seems like a great shot stopper, Spurs defence seems very shaky without his authority. Very surprised he hasn't been snapped up by a Top team, which makes me question why?
Cech - at 32 he still easily has some of the best years ahead of him. Knows the Prem inside out and just experienced CL keeper. If we could get him for 4 years we may even be getting his best years. Mourinho more likely to sell us his wife than a keeper who might help us win the league.
