Who is the greatest, Henderson or Kelly?

[1973Blade]

When doing my all time eleven United team, the choice of goalkeeper was easy for me. Alan Kelly. Reliable, great shot stopper, made few mistakes. His performance against Wednesday in the FA Cup Semi Final was one of the best I have seen and kept the score to a respectable level.

I never thought another goalkeeper would challenge him, but Dean Henderson's performances these past couple of seasons has been right up there with Alan Kelly. I don't accept the error prone criticism against him. He has made one big blunder this season - against Liverpool - and as with all great goalkeepers he didn't let it affect him. How many other goalkeepers in the Premier League have made such few mistakes. And some of his saves have been first class.
I now can't decide who is/was the greatest, Henderson or Kelly?

 

[Guesty]

I know a certain prominent poster will be in here shortly to tell you that Kelly wasn't even better than Tracey!

For me I'm not sure. This is clearly a better team than the one Kelly was in. I was also a little kid when Kelly played, so I can't be objective. He was a huge part of my favourite ever game, the Cup Quarter Final against Coventry, so there's that.

Incidentally, I saw footage of our win against Blackburn that was on TV in about 2000 (someone posted it on here). Our first goal was a result of a huge mistake between Kelly and Henning Berg. Given his propensity to fuck things up in collaboration with Roger Nilssen, what was it about Kelly and Norwegian defenders?

 

[SwitchBLADE Smiles]

As of today, it’s not even a fair question. Alan Kelly by a country mile. Hendo has time on his side.

 

[1973Blade]

As of today, it’s not even a fair question. Alan Kelly by a country mile. Hendo has time on his side.

Yes Henderson has time on his side, hopefully with us for another season, but I am doubtful about whether this will be the case.

 

[Flumps]

Henderson. When I was a young un I played football for an academy and Alan Kelly visited one day, even I put one past him. Sure everyone had their excuses " he was only messing about and wasn't trying" or "was hardly gonna dive and mucky his suit was he"

I know my truth.

 

[1066blade]

Kelly was an excellent keeper, but not tall enough for brilliance.

 

[Guesty]

Henderson. When I was a young un I played football for an academy and Alan Kelly visited one day, even I put one past him. Sure everyone had their excuses " he was only messing about and wasn't trying" or "was hardly gonna dive and mucky his suit was he"

I know my truth.

On the other hand, how many times has Henderson played Father Christmas for the Junior Blades party?

Yeah, exactly.

 

[1973Blade]

Henderson. When I was a young un I played football for an academy and Alan Kelly visited one day, even I put one past him. Sure everyone had their excuses " he was only messing about and wasn't trying" or "was hardly gonna dive and mucky his suit was he"

I know my truth.

When I was young, I scored past our then keeper Steve Conroy during an open day penalty competition. I don't think he ever recovered from the shame!

 

[bartman]

I know a certain prominent poster will be in here shortly to tell you that Kelly wasn't even better than Tracey!

For me I'm not sure. This is clearly a better team than the one Kelly was in. I was also a little kid when Kelly played, so I can't be objective. He was a huge part of my favourite ever game, the Cup Quarter Final against Coventry, so there's that.

Incidentally, I saw footage of our win against Blackburn that was on TV in about 2000 (someone posted it on here). Our first goal was a result of a huge mistake between Kelly and Henning Berg. Given his propensity to fuck things up in collaboration with Roger Nilssen, what was it about Kelly and Norwegian defenders?

Tracey was a better shot stopper than Kelly.Some of the saved he pulled off were unbelievable. Tracey was also excellent on crosses
However,he often had rushes of blood and Kelly was more consistent than him.

Close call but at their peaks, I think Tracey just shades it but both were very good keepers

 

[JohnDenver]

Close call but at their peaks, I think Tracey just shades it but both were very good keepers

Kelly’s peak was far longer, so even if Tracey was spectacular at his best, my vote is with Kelly.

That’s also why I rate Kelly above Henderson, but Henderson will be better in future for sure.

 

[BigBed]

Rees.

 

[Whiston Blade]

100% Alan Kelly

 

[Silent Blade]

Henderson best Blades keeper since I started watching the Blades in 1970. Tracey 2nd best, Kelly 3rd and Kenny 4th.

 

[Bugboyblade]

Id say kelly. What I could never work out though was how Bonner kept him out of the Ireland side. Far better than the celtic stopper.

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

TRACEY

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Henderson best Blades keeper since I started watching the Blades in 1970. Tracey 2nd best, Kelly 3rd and Kenny 4th.

I'd add a big fuck off to Rodney Marsh for ruining potentially one that would've been included, McAllister.

 

[Top Cat 317]

I'd add a big fuck off to Rodney Marsh for ruining potentially one that would've been included, McAllister.

I thought McAllister was going to be great. Went right off Rodney Marsh. Not sure it was accidental, and saw him cheating lots after that.

 

[Brownieblade]

Kelly for longevity for me, Henderson could end up being the better keeper overall and likely will do just based on what we have seen so far

 

[Charlieblade]

Alan Hodgkinson

 

[Silent Blade]

I started this thread some years ago (before we signed Henderson)


https://www.s24su.com/forum/index.php?threads/simon-tracey-v-alan-kelly-stats.56552/

 

[burtonstreetblade]

Henderson then McAllister, Hodgy.

 

[robbiez666]

Alan Kelly for me. He was extremely reliable and made some great saves as well. Best United keeper I've seen. Hendo could be better, but not yet.

 

[diode_blade]

Having had the pleasure of watching the blades over many a year, very close call between Kelly and Tracy, both had their qualities, for me though Ned just nicks it, special mention though for Mel Rees, outstanding debut v pool, think he would have been miles above Simon and Alan, plus I think Mel would have gone on to be one of the blades and Wales greatest had that ghastly horrible disease not taken him from us, can see some of Mel in Relish (Deano) to be honest.
Deano has got plenty of time, and I think if he keeps himself level headed will be an outstanding keeper.
Keep thisen level headed Deano.

 

[Bert]

Henderson best Blades keeper since I started watching the Blades in 1970. Tracey 2nd best, Kelly 3rd and Kenny 4th.

You rate Kenny higher than Hodgy?

 

[Silent Blade]

You rate Kenny higher than Hodgy?

I only saw his final year, when he was making too many errors. Sadly, I didnt see him at his peak

 

[Brian Deane]

Having had the pleasure of watching the blades over many a year, very close call between Kelly and Tracy, both had their qualities, for me though Ned just nicks it, special mention though for Mel Rees, outstanding debut v pool, think he would have been miles above Simon and Alan, plus I think Mel would have gone on to be one of the blades and Wales greatest had that ghastly horrible disease not taken him from us, can see some of Mel in Relish (Deano) to be honest.
Deano has got plenty of time, and I think if he keeps himself level headed will be an outstanding keeper.
Keep thisen level headed Deano.

Rees looked quality in the short space he was with us.

 

[Geordie Blade]

Ask any player who played for us in the 1990s, and they’ll say Tracey was the best keeper we had at the time.

There is only one player who has played with both Tracey and Henderson. Step forward, Phil Jagielka, to settle the debate!

 

[1973Blade]

Ask any player who played for us in the 1990s, and they’ll say Tracey was the best keeper we had at the time.

There is only one player who has played with both Tracey and Henderson. Step forward, Phil Jagielka, to settle the debate!

Jagielka might say he was the best keeper given his heroic performance against Arsenal under Warnock!

 

[Uncle mick]

When doing my all time eleven United team, the choice of goalkeeper was easy for me. Alan Kelly. Reliable, great shot stopper, made few mistakes. His performance against Wednesday in the FA Cup Semi Final was one of the best I have seen and kept the score to a respectable level.

I never thought another goalkeeper would challenge him, but Dean Henderson's performances these past couple of seasons has been right up there with Alan Kelly. I don't accept the error prone criticism against him. He has made one big blunder this season - against Liverpool - and as with all great goalkeepers he didn't let it affect him. How many other goalkeepers in the Premier League have made such few mistakes. And some of his saves have been first class.
I now can't decide who is/was the greatest, Henderson or Kelly?

Tom McAllister

 

[Weasel]

Hendo is a quality keeper of that there is no doubt. He will also get better with age.

But back to the question. Tracey and Kelly both far surpass Hendo. I've seen T&K both pull off unbelievable saves time and again. Unreal at times.

Kelly at Tranmere once was pulling off saves that he had no right to (and he often did that) whilst Tracey was also capable of the sublime. Charlton at home in the FA Cup when we won 3-1 after being 3 up and the rest of the team pissinf off at half time leaving Tracey to it, and who can forget the Liverpool Kop giving Tracey a standing ovation at the end of the game after he pulled off save after outstanding save at Anfield? Hendos good but not at the same level yet as those two were back in their prime.