Howard. .

[Torrix1889]

I really wasnt too concerned about the no1 shirt and thought George had done reasonaby well. I fully expected Howard to be given the shirt at home v Fulham but I also expected George to take it back at the next league game. Despite Howards awful distribution away at Fulham he kept the jersey and has now let in 1 goal in 5 apps. His form has coincided with our best spell of the season, was this a masterstroke by Nigel or one of those lucky spins?

 

[Kev Gee]

Agreed. The defense looks more assured with Howard behind them.

George will develop into the better keeper & i think a spell back out of the limelight will do him good.

 

[cahill]

I don't have as many panic attacks when Howard is between the sticks. He looks comfortable, secure, and doesn't seem to be as cocksure as George, which causes George to try to dribble round opposition forwards and rush out to take the ball which can feel like a lottery as to whether he gets it or not

 

[Sharpestblade]

Made an amazing save towards the end today. Looked like a certain goal but somehow he kept it out. Been really solid.

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

I think it has shown that Long is not as good as people like to make out. Not surprising really, he's only a kid in goalie terms.
We've had too much crazy talk in recent years off McCabe etc about youth being the way forward. Nope, winning games is the way forward. You can't force youngesters to be either good enough or ready, it has to happen organically. Youth policies work best when the youngsters have to work hard to get their chance, not when they're just thrown in cos you don't have anybody better.

What's changed now is for the first time in ages we have a manager who isn't a yes man. He has the reputation and balls to do it his way. Why he got appointed i have no idea, the board have constantly meddled for years now treating the manager as a glorified kit man, but it's the best thing that's happened to the club since the Warnock days. He wouldn't have been my choice, but at least he is his own man. And so far he's proving me completely wrong, long may it continue. Just please make the board support him with cash, don't all try to be backseat managers and let him get on with it without their meddling as with past managers.

 

[Ashtonsmashton]

Nigel Clough tactical genius

 

[upton blade]

I think Howard has upped his game since returning to the team. ..I had no confidence in him before his recent spell...he looks decent on current form. .utb

 

[Houso]

Happy to say I was wrong about Howard. He's brought much more than just straight up work between the sticks since he came back. I think he's shown just how important it is to have some organisation from behind the back four. George's age means his less likely to be gobby with the defence in front of him and while I still think he's the better keeper, he's simply not the right choice at the moment.

 

[sitwell]

Might be a bit controversial here but I did say a while ago, I don't think it's an age issue with long, I don't think he has the presence to make a keeper at this level.

 

[Lane Ender]

Might be a bit controversial here but I did say a while ago, I don't think it's an age issue with long, I don't think he has the presence to make a keeper at this level.

I don't think you're being controversial at all bang in order in fact.

Longs flaws stood out a mile bottom line he isn't good enough Howard's got his act together and I'd look to Willis now as the understoody.

 

[blade too long]

with a little help from

 

[sothall blade]

with a little help from View attachment 7358

like it

 

[boo radley]

Jon Bon 's late today

 

[blader]

There is one point on this subject which hasn't been raised, and I think needs addressing.

Can't argue with the stats since his return and Howard has done quite well. However, he had very little to do yesterday, and the first shot on target was straight at him, which he spilt and nearly led to a goal. I do feel, that had Long made that error a fortnight a go, everyone would be saying 'yep, see, I told you. He's a liability' etc etc.

Now I, for one, am fairly indifferent between the 2. I think both have their own strengths, and don't fear either of them between the sticks on the day. What I would say, is I just hope there aren't double standards. Howard cocked up in his only busy moment against Bristol, and although it wasn't disastrous on that occasion, it may have been on another day.

 

[metalblade]

Howard has always been error prone, that is why he has had a career with so many clubs, but to be fair he has done OK since his return to the side and the one shot they had on target was hard did move about a lot and he did well to block the follow up. He will need to put in quite a few more good performances before I am convinced. As good as most keepers in League One ? got to say yes I think, will he get better ? I doubt it.

 

[Hodgyman]

I have had reservations in the past about Howard's reliability but I agree his recent run has been impressive. George Long is perhaps a better shot stopper because of his reflexes and extended reach. The particular strengths that Mark has displayed of late which is an improvement on George are that he commands his area better, a better communicator to his team mates, not afraid to take crosses and saves that he cannot catch are pushed out towards the touchline instead of back towards the opposition.

George may be the longer term option but he does need to learn to include the above into his game first.

 

[Grecian2000]

I have to say Howard gave me kittens at the start of last season and I was glad to see Long replace him. This season when he came in (Burton/Rotherham) I don't think he covered himself in glory.
However, I think he's been rock solid since his return and the defence as a whole look better with him commanding his area behind them.
Happy to eat humble pie on this one.