SUFC Season Review/School Report 14-15 Part Two - Goalkeepers

[Deadbat]

Playing Squad







Goalkeepers

Mark Howard

Howard had enjoyed an excellent run in the end of the season with some excellent performances well shielded by a tight defence. He rightly got the nod for the start of the season but began the season pushing a header into the net v Bristol City and then missing a corner at Peterborough (maybe fouled) that led to a goal. He made a key save in the shoot out at West Ham but his form was patchy and he made an awful mistake at Colchester that the team spared him in the end. He was letting in a lot more goals (5 at Swindon, 3 at Chesterfield) and his form was patchy. He did improve around November - December time as the team did and made a penalty save to help win the game at Doncaster but then picked up a few injuries; mainly his back. He was then in and out alternating with Turner for the end of January up to April. When he did return fully he experienced his worst form of the season being culpable or partly so for a run of goals versus Crewe, Oldham and Yeovil. He made a few other mistakes and long range shots were going in routinely. The winner that Swindon scored at the Lane meant his penalty save was forgotten; and he will be remembered for a really poor error; a crucial one at the death. Then in the return game he let in 5 and chopped someone down cynically. He was making a mistake a game to end the season. His whole career at United has been up and down. He began well and then got injured and lost his place to Long. He then came back when Clough came in and did well. This season has been a real mixture and he has not been anywhere near as sharp as he had been last season. Indeed you would question compared to other keepers even at this level is he good enough for a promotion side? I think Clough will keep favour with him but if he carries on poor form next season then I am sure he will have another understudy (doubt it will be any of those below) coming in and hopefully this keeper may put more competition on him that Turner or Long have done.

Grade D


Iain Turner

Turner arrive at the Lane having had 13 clubs (many on loan) and was still only 30. Never having really established himself anywhere he had been mostly a backup and that is what he came to the Lane as. With Long on loan and Willis not being seen ready/good enough if Howard was injured; Turner was brought in to provide some competition and be ready if any injures. He played in the JPT at Hartlepool and then did well at Walsall despite a loss in the same completion. He played against Swindon in the league when Howard was injured and did really well making some smart saves in the first half. He then was back in a few weeks later when the injury to Howard flared up again. We won a series of games and he was actually doing well and made some good stops. He made a key save at Notts County but then a few weeks let in a goal at his near post v Coventry (that was to become a feature) an lost a high ball that led to a goal at Crawley and then saw a low shot beat him too easily v Peterborough. His decline in form was marked with an awful display v Fleetwood when he made a howler. A few weeks later Howard came back in but it was not for long and he was back v Scunthorpe where he was the only jittery player in a good performance. Overall he showed why he has never been a first teamer. He played well early but then towards the end made some poor mistakes and was quite weak on high balls for a tall keeper. Do not think he will be retained. It is ironic with Howards’s drop off in form that any other reserve may have nailed down a place but he was even worse most of the time!


Grade D-


The rest


George Long Long was actually seen to be neck and neck to start the season with Howard but after the latter’s decent form and him getting the shirt; Long began number two and then went to Oxford on loan. He could not even become a regular there and was dropped before returning. He then went to Motherwell and made some real howlers there. His penchant for not coming for crosses allied to some poor mistakes means he seems further off becoming an established number one anywhere, regardless of United; any time soon. Thought he had real promise but it has not happened and I cannot see him staying after his contract runs out end of next season. Guess he will be either number two at best or end up on loan again. With Howard’s poor form he had a chance but he seems in even poorer form!


George Willis like Long was seen as a great talent coming through. Despite his short stature, he was seen as a better organiser than Long and a similarly good shot stopper but he never got any competitive football and remained at under 21 level and even here his form was mixed. Heard he will be released which is sad after he seemed to have so much promise but you have to accept sometimes some players don’t push on. Hard for keepers as with only one slot at 92 clubs; they have to really show something exceptional to become a first team regular. He may go into non league and push on and come back stronger. We will see.


We also apparently have some other good young keepers coming through and the hope is they can push on where Long and Willis have failed to do so. With Jake Eastwood involved in the youth set up for various age groups for England and has been on loan at Sheffield FC and another Aaron Ramsdale waiting in the wings. Eastwood has been given a professional deal.



Next season


A season ago we had Howard in good form and Long was still seen as a promising keeper despite Howard getting his place. We had another promising keeper Willis as number three. A season later and Howard is now very insecure and is letting in sloppy goals every other week. Long has had two unsuccessful loan spells at footballing backwaters Oxford and Motherwell and looks no more confident or settled. Willis is on the verge of being released. Turner will also move on as he was not first choice keeper in waiting for me. Many have said we need two new keepers and I cannot argue. Howard has had a few decent spells in his United career but has also had some really poor to uncertain spells. He has never commanded a number one spot wherever he has been in a journeyman type career and sadly you can see why. Howard has an option year to stay so will be interesting if they take this up. Long has another year but would not surprise me if he moved on either. He is a long way off being even a regular league keeper never mind this top prospect he was seen as a few years ago. Like many other areas of the United team; we may have to start from scratch next season in this key position. At best I would bring Howard back but bring in another keeper who can start and move Long on another loan spell somehow trying to see if he can get some form or confidence to his game.


Returning players;


Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires)


Goalkeepers

George Willis Out of contact (2015)

Ian Turner Out of contract (2015)

Mark Howard Out of contract – option year though (2015 or 2016)

George Long 1 year (2016)

Jake Eastwood 1 year (2016)

 

[metalblade]

Fully agree none of the keepers with 1st team experience are good enough but I said as much about Howard over a year ago back up keeper at best, little wonder he has had so many clubs.

 

[pommpey]

Shame, because ever since Hodgy, Sheffield United has had a long line of consistently good goalkeepers (with the exception of Hope and Woffy at times)

Hope we can attract a PL frozen out keeper and one from the CL which wants a pop at 90 minutes every now and then, and bring one of the young uns through.

Good stuff Deadbat.

pommpey

 

[BerksBlade]

Not sure what's going on with Howard at the moment. It can't be coincidence that we've conceded a number of goals from speculative long-range shots recently?
No point keeping Turner - he's made too many mistakes this season.
Long's career seems to have stagnated. If he's not going to be first choice next season (and it seems unlikely) then he needs to move on.
I would keep Willis as backup - unfair to release him when he's never been give a chance?

 

[jt64]

He was letting in a lot more goals (5 at Swindon, 3 at Chesterfield) and his form was patchy.

This sort of comment is ridiculous without context. I wasn't at either game so don't know off the top of my head, but how much of a chance did he have with any of the goals? Looking back at the ratings on here he wasn't absurdly low in comparison to the rest of the team. You could put Neuer in goal for us but there's only so much he could do if the defence is giving up dozens of chances a game. Don't throw the guy under the bus because he fucked up last minute in the home leg of the playoffs, it's not like he saved a penalty earlier in the game

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Don't throw the guy under the bus because he fucked up last minute in the home leg of the playoffs, it's not like he saved a penalty earlier in the game

Can we throw him under the bus for conceding a stupid penalty that he didn't save in the away leg of the playoffs?

 

[Revolution]

That rating is far too low for Howard. He hasn't had the greatest of seasons but a D?

That said, there's not doubt he has not played as well this season as he did last season. There are 3 things of concern:

1. He's given away the odd daft goal and penalty by rushing out of goal (Swindon, Gillingham). This may not be a trend though. He's not Simon Tracey level reckless.

2. Far too many goals from corners and free kicks, usually from headers, and whilst he can't come for all corners, some of them are his fault (eg Yeovil's winner)

3. Far too many long range goals conceded. I would be inclined to say that this was partially a function of people having time to shoot from distance due to our crappy central defence and puny midfield, but some times - Swindon home recently - he's definitely gone down in installments. There are other goals that I was surprised he conceded, eg Gillingham's at the Lane.

I am undecided how much of 2 and 3 are his fault or the defence's. I think it's probably a bit of both.

I would be keen to see if he can get someone better and keep Howard as back up/fight for a place. I would lose no sleep over Turner and Long going as neither are convincing (regrettably in the case of the latter, as I thought he might amount to something). I have not seen Willis play so can't comment in him. 2 out, one in might save wages and put us in a better position.

As ever at the Lane, we have high keeper standards. We went from 1989 to 2009 with 90% to 95% of our games played by excellent keepers, so it feels odd we don't have a good one.

 

[Silent Blade]

George Long He then went to Motherwell and made some real howlers there.

According to reports, he has played very well for Motherwell despite the two howlers in that televised game

 

[Trafford]

Not sure what's going on with Howard at the moment. It can't be coincidence that we've conceded a number of goals from speculative long-range shots recently?

I suspect that there is more to his hip problem than has been let on - he can neither get down quickly nor accelerate as quickly as he should be able to / thinks he can, hence the long range shots and penalty incident

 

[Davie Blade]

Not sure what's going on with Howard at the moment. It can't be coincidence that we've conceded a number of goals from speculative long-range shots recently?
No point keeping Turner - he's made too many mistakes this season.
Long's career seems to have stagnated. If he's not going to be first choice next season (and it seems unlikely) then he needs to move on.
I would keep Willis as backup - unfair to release him when he's never been give a chance?

Maybe his back injury has hampered him, he certainly doesn't seem to bet he same keeper since.
A lot of howlers diving to his right.

 

[Deadbat]

That rating is far too low for Howard. He hasn't had the greatest of seasons but a D?

That said, there's not doubt he has not played as well this season as he did last season. There are 3 things of concern:

1. He's given away the odd daft goal and penalty by rushing out of goal (Swindon, Gillingham). This may not be a trend though. He's not Simon Tracey level reckless.

2. Far too many goals from corners and free kicks, usually from headers, and whilst he can't come for all corners, some of them are his fault (eg Yeovil's winner)

3. Far too many long range goals conceded. I would be inclined to say that this was partially a function of people having time to shoot from distance due to our crappy central defence and puny midfield, but some times - Swindon home recently - he's definitely gone down in installments. There are other goals that I was surprised he conceded, eg Gillingham's at the Lane.

I am undecided how much of 2 and 3 are his fault or the defence's. I think it's probably a bit of both.

I would be keen to see if he can get someone better and keep Howard as back up/fight for a place. I would lose no sleep over Turner and Long going as neither are convincing (regrettably in the case of the latter, as I thought he might amount to something). I have not seen Willis play so can't comment in him. 2 out, one in might save wages and put us in a better position.

As ever at the Lane, we have high keeper standards. We went from 1989 to 2009 with 90% to 95% of our games played by excellent keepers, so it feels odd we don't have a good one.

I think D is fair. He made 2 howlers in the key playoff games and conceded 7 goals -granted a few he had no chance with but long shots just go past him now. He was making a mistake a game over recent weeks and had no confidence he would save long shots.

To compare him with Tracey is not fair. Tracey had some rocking chair moments (Dave Bassett - copyright) but was a great keeper. Right up there with Kelly.

An unsettled defence has not helped but he has had a poor season for me and looks like a keeper who at nearly 30 has never been a regular anywhere (till here) and never stayed at a club for very long.

 

[mosbolad]

A very wordy summary DB and I congratulate you on the effort you put in. However writing at length does not make it accurate, although I believe some forum users are taken in by this. 'He's written loads so it must be reight!'

A 'D' for Howard? get a grip. Yes he's made errors, show me a player who hasn't. For me Howard is a steady league 1 keeper and not the issue with the Blades. Comments like 'he let in 5 and chopped someone down cynically'. Really? Didn't the highly rated Foderingham for Swindon also let in 5? Cynically? Don't think so, mistimed ill judged but cynical?

You slate all our keepers, other than the ones who have never played a match interestingly, Willis and Eastwood.

You've written Long off even though at 21 he has over a 100 games. You refer to an unsuccessful loan spell at Oxford and Motherwell. I've just looked at the last match report on the BBC website the Motherwell manager said "When required, George Long was massive in goals for us. The back four, George and the two guys in front of them set the tone for us." Doesn't sound too unsuccessful on that basis, and yes Long has made errors, players do, keepers do and young players make more.

Ian Turner, he's a back up keeper, he came in when Howard was injured. He played 11. We won 6 lost 2 and drew 3. Yes he made errors but hardly the calamity a 'D-' makes out.

So over a season we finish 5th conceding the 5th fewest goals in the league, conceding less goals than Swindon with Foderingham and Chesterfield with Tommy Lee (who some would have as a replacement for Howard). Yet this earns our keepers a 'D' and a 'D-' ?

An interesting report DeadBat, but balanced? I am tempted to score you but won't.

 

[Silent Blade]

You've written Long off even though at 21 he has over a 100 games. You refer to an unsuccessful loan spell at Oxford and Motherwell. I've just looked at the last match report on the BBC website the Motherwell manager said "When required, George Long was massive in goals for us. The back four, George and the two guys in front of them set the tone for us." Doesn't sound too unsuccessful on that basis, and yes Long has made errors, players do, keepers do and young players make more.

I have replied to Deadbat about reports saying that Long is playing well at Motherwell despite his two howlers in that televised game some months ago. No response from Deadbat

 

[metalblade]

A very wordy summary DB and I congratulate you on the effort you put in. However writing at length does not make it accurate, although I believe some forum users are taken in by this. 'He's written loads so it must be reight!'

A 'D' for Howard? get a grip. Yes he's made errors, show me a player who hasn't. For me Howard is a steady league 1 keeper and not the issue with the Blades. Comments like 'he let in 5 and chopped someone down cynically'. Really? Didn't the highly rated Foderingham for Swindon also let in 5? Cynically? Don't think so, mistimed ill judged but cynical?

You slate all our keepers, other than the ones who have never played a match interestingly, Willis and Eastwood.

You've written Long off even though at 21 he has over a 100 games. You refer to an unsuccessful loan spell at Oxford and Motherwell. I've just looked at the last match report on the BBC website the Motherwell manager said "When required, George Long was massive in goals for us. The back four, George and the two guys in front of them set the tone for us." Doesn't sound too unsuccessful on that basis, and yes Long has made errors, players do, keepers do and young players make more.

Ian Turner, he's a back up keeper, he came in when Howard was injured. He played 11. We won 6 lost 2 and drew 3. Yes he made errors but hardly the calamity a 'D-' makes out.

So over a season we finish 5th conceding the 5th fewest goals in the league, conceding less goals than Swindon with Foderingham and Chesterfield with Tommy Lee (who some would have as a replacement for Howard). Yet this earns our keepers a 'D' and a 'D-' ?

An interesting report DeadBat, but balanced? I am tempted to score you but won't.

It would seem Clough has written off Long too preferring Howard who at 30 yr old has never held down a number one jersey anywhere until we got lumbered with him. At 21 yr old and with over 100 appearances as you point out shouldn't Long be pushing a average journeyman for the number one jersey here at the lane rather than be out on loan at a lower level yet still making howlers ? I think a D and D- are about right.

 

[mosbolad]

Yes that's an opinion mentalblade. However logic would suggest if Howard is a 'D' after conceding 53 goals with the help of Turner then what for the rest of the league other than Bristol MK Preston and Fleetwood? Maybe 'E' and 'F' or 'U' perhaps?

Of course its not always the keepers fault for conceding goals, the defence in front may have a hand in it too.

Maybe our centre back deserve praise for keeping the number of goals conceded down? Oh hold on? Damn it, who is responsible for keeping our goals conceded down! I need to know, surely someone deserves a 'C+'.

 

[metalblade]

Yes that's an opinion mentalblade. However logic would suggest if Howard is a 'D' after conceding 53 goals with the help of Turner then what for the rest of the league other than Bristol MK Preston and Fleetwood? Maybe 'E' and 'F' or 'U' perhaps?

Of course its not always the keepers fault for conceding goals, the defence in front may have a hand in it too.

Maybe our centre back deserve praise for keeping the number of goals conceded down? Oh hold on? Damn it, who is responsible for keeping our goals conceded down! I need to know, surely someone deserves a 'C+'.

There is little point in having the 5th best goals conceded stats when the goals scored is one of the lowest, still I suppose in a way it highlights just how dull and negative Clough's style of football is, see stats can tell you lots if you look hard enough.

 

[JohnDenver]

I don't see much value in rushing to let Long go. As long as we can loan him out for long stretches, he should still improve.

If we find a better player, perhaps let him go with a hefty sell-on, but until then there's no urgency.

 

[mosbolad]

There is little point in having the 5th best goals conceded stats when the goals scored is one of the lowest, still I suppose in a way it highlights just how dull and negative Clough's style of football is, see stats can tell you lots if you look hard enough.

Yes Metalblade I do agree with that, and that is sort of my point. Yes Howard clearly is not without fault but I really don't think he is the problem here at all, (ok we are talking keepers). The goals scored seems to be the issue. MK and Bristol have scored 30 more goals than us. Maybe the style of play or quality of strikers is the issue rather than pointing the finger at Howard. We showed we can do it, knocking 5 in against Swindon, and of course we conceded 5 but you get my point. Roll on next season.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Yes Metalblade I do agree with that, and that is sort of my point. Yes Howard clearly is not without fault but I really don't think he is the problem here at all, (ok we are talking keepers). The goals scored seems to be the issue. MK and Bristol have scored 30 more goals than us. Maybe the style of play or quality of strikers is the issue rather than pointing the finger at Howard. We showed we can do it, knocking 5 in against Swindon, and of course we conceded 5 but you get my point. Roll on next season.

We would be giving Lev Yashin a D , if he played in front of our Back Four.

UTB

 

[Deadbat]

I have replied to Deadbat about reports saying that Long is playing well at Motherwell despite his two howlers in that televised game some months ago. No response from Deadbat

Not had chance to respond as I have been at work and with my son at after school stuff. Sorry!

You can take different opinions on Long. I also saw another error in the game he was praised in above incidentally but a more damning round up comes from Roysviewfrom painted a less than impressive opinion and this was only 21st April so opinions canvassed over a significant period of time.

“I would like to see Twardzik back between the sticks as he is a safer option than Long. “

“I know Long is making a few blunders at the moment but Twardzik was dropped for a perfectly valid reason – he also was making more than a few blunders. A nightmare at crosses also. In the recent 2 games against Killie, Long has been criticised (yesterday rightly so) but don’t overlook the fact that Josh Law was in some way responsible for both goals “
“Long was garbage yesterday from virtually the first minute. He missed everything not just the cross that led to the goal. The first time he caught the ball was in the 32nd minute and Kilmarnock must have had 5 or 6 crosses in that time and a couple of shots. For a big boy he has no presence about him. He doesn’t use his height and weight at all and as far as punching the ball goes Twardzik is much better.
Twardzik has made some errors but over 25+ games and he’s turned in man of the match performances and kept us from getting right drubbings. Long has probably had as many mistakes now as Twardzik in a quarter of the matches. Twardzik has a better clean sheet record than Long, and Long has been playing in a team that’s performing much better with a half way credible defence in front of him.
I said after the match yesterday that Baraclough will have to have a hard think about it. The stakes are huge now and I’m afraid confidence in Long is being whittled away, something we really don’t need when we are battling for survival.
No one wants to change a goalkeeper at this stage in the season, in our position, but we just cannot afford any more mistakes. However it is in goals has to perform. End of story.”

“You have to wonder how many errors will Long be allowed to make before reverting back to Dan? Seems like he is not any better at cross balls and posisbly not as good a shot stopper as Dan “

“Long was very ropy all of the game ,not just the goal that he missed to let the killie lad in .Long must have tried to get to 5 or 6 and missed them all “


“Long provided numerous heart in mouth moments. “

“George Long is mince. Another goal conceded today that should never have happened. He looked like a bombscare from the first whistle and it was hardly a surprise when the goal happened. He has his team mates to thank for getting him out of jail today. “

Long to me has not progressed at all. He is still young but it does seem he could not hold down a first team choice at Oxford and has not been overly impressive from goals/errors I have seen.

Hope the lad turns it around and can be a player for us but with only a year left of his contract not sure he will make it on his progress since that excellent start.

 

[Silent Blade]

Not had chance to respond as I have been at work and with my son at after school stuff. Sorry!

You can take different opinions on Long. I also saw another error in the game he was praised in above incidentally but a more damning round up comes from Roysviewfrom painted a less than impressive opinion and this was only 21st April so opinions canvassed over a significant period of time.

“I would like to see Twardzik back between the sticks as he is a safer option than Long. “

“I know Long is making a few blunders at the moment but Twardzik was dropped for a perfectly valid reason – he also was making more than a few blunders. A nightmare at crosses also. In the recent 2 games against Killie, Long has been criticised (yesterday rightly so) but don’t overlook the fact that Josh Law was in some way responsible for both goals “
“Long was garbage yesterday from virtually the first minute. He missed everything not just the cross that led to the goal. The first time he caught the ball was in the 32nd minute and Kilmarnock must have had 5 or 6 crosses in that time and a couple of shots. For a big boy he has no presence about him. He doesn’t use his height and weight at all and as far as punching the ball goes Twardzik is much better.
Twardzik has made some errors but over 25+ games and he’s turned in man of the match performances and kept us from getting right drubbings. Long has probably had as many mistakes now as Twardzik in a quarter of the matches. Twardzik has a better clean sheet record than Long, and Long has been playing in a team that’s performing much better with a half way credible defence in front of him.
I said after the match yesterday that Baraclough will have to have a hard think about it. The stakes are huge now and I’m afraid confidence in Long is being whittled away, something we really don’t need when we are battling for survival.
No one wants to change a goalkeeper at this stage in the season, in our position, but we just cannot afford any more mistakes. However it is in goals has to perform. End of story.”

“You have to wonder how many errors will Long be allowed to make before reverting back to Dan? Seems like he is not any better at cross balls and posisbly not as good a shot stopper as Dan “

“Long was very ropy all of the game ,not just the goal that he missed to let the killie lad in .Long must have tried to get to 5 or 6 and missed them all “


“Long provided numerous heart in mouth moments. “

“George Long is mince. Another goal conceded today that should never have happened. He looked like a bombscare from the first whistle and it was hardly a surprise when the goal happened. He has his team mates to thank for getting him out of jail today. “

Long to me has not progressed at all. He is still young but it does seem he could not hold down a first team choice at Oxford and has not been overly impressive from goals/errors I have seen.

Hope the lad turns it around and can be a player for us but with only a year left of his contract not sure he will make it on his progress since that excellent start.

Fair enough, Roygbiv reports suggested otherwise

 

[Deadbat]

A very wordy summary DB and I congratulate you on the effort you put in. However writing at length does not make it accurate, although I believe some forum users are taken in by this. 'He's written loads so it must be reight!'

A 'D' for Howard? get a grip. Yes he's made errors, show me a player who hasn't. For me Howard is a steady league 1 keeper and not the issue with the Blades. Comments like 'he let in 5 and chopped someone down cynically'. Really? Didn't the highly rated Foderingham for Swindon also let in 5? Cynically? Don't think so, mistimed ill judged but cynical?

You slate all our keepers, other than the ones who have never played a match interestingly, Willis and Eastwood.

You've written Long off even though at 21 he has over a 100 games. You refer to an unsuccessful loan spell at Oxford and Motherwell. I've just looked at the last match report on the BBC website the Motherwell manager said "When required, George Long was massive in goals for us. The back four, George and the two guys in front of them set the tone for us." Doesn't sound too unsuccessful on that basis, and yes Long has made errors, players do, keepers do and young players make more.

Ian Turner, he's a back up keeper, he came in when Howard was injured. He played 11. We won 6 lost 2 and drew 3. Yes he made errors but hardly the calamity a 'D-' makes out.

So over a season we finish 5th conceding the 5th fewest goals in the league, conceding less goals than Swindon with Foderingham and Chesterfield with Tommy Lee (who some would have as a replacement for Howard). Yet this earns our keepers a 'D' and a 'D-' ?

An interesting report DeadBat, but balanced? I am tempted to score you but won't.

Is that just your opinion, 'He's written loads so it must be reight!' Just wondering - Where is your evidence some forum users are taken in by this and have similar opinions?

Seriously I welcome different opinions and debate. That is the point of these posts.

I stand by the Howard mark. He has made huge errors in the two important games costing us the tie in many ways. The goal he let in for the 1st leg was an atrocious mistake as was the penalty chop down in the 2nd leg. Huge mistakes as bad if not worse than anything McEveley, Alcock, Harris did.

Foderingham did let in 5 and made mistakes in both legs too. I think he is a decent keeper but he played poorly in both games too. I accept that.

Turrner was decent for a few games and then looked awful in 4 or 5 games after that. The howler v Fleetwood and constantly getting beat at his near post. Another journeyman keeper who has never been a regular anywhere in a long career.

I have replied about Long earlier in thread.

If people seriously are happy with either Howard or Long I am concerned about their knowledge of good goalkeepers. Neither are really good enough. Hope Long can come again but his lack of command and talking/organisation are something that does not seem to have improved. Howard has been ok at United but is another who has never been a regular anywhere even at some real footballing back waters. He started the season ok but was awful to end the season seemingly making mistakes every other game. The defence have not helped but a lot of the goals that have gone in have been avoidable/savable long range shots. He made errors that led directly to goals v Oldham, Yeovil, Bradford and Swindon (x2) in the final month alone. He also had a less than certain start to the season (avoidable goals v Bristol - header; Coventry,Peterborough, Colchester off the top of my head).

I don't dislike the guy. He was great in the run in last year ad was ok when he first played a few years ago but he was poor this season along with many others. In the big games, players step up but Howard despite the impressive penalty save made some really big mistakes when it mattered.

 

[mosbolad]

Nice reply Deadbat. It seems for whatever reason you are really out to trash Long. It seems from the above that Motherwell are keeping their best keeper in reserve, just in case. Were there no positive comments at all?

Anyway back to Howard and his 'D'. Only four teams have conceded less. Would Foderingham and Tommy Lee have 'D-' then? Maybe 'E'. Howard is no worldbeater but your negativity and trashing of our side is a little worrying. Was it 5th or 5th bottom we finished?

Just read your reply above, which is a little more balanced. Thanks.

 

[Aston max]

Patrick Joseph Kenny

 

[Aston max]

Or Scott finders (leeds fan but you can't have everything ) has earned a go with a big club with his form at hartlepool this season

 

[Deadbat]

Nice reply Deadbat. It seems for whatever reason you are really out to trash Long. It seems from the above that Motherwell are keeping their best keeper in reserve, just in case. Were there no positive comments at all?

Anyway back to Howard and his 'D'. Only four teams have conceded less. Would Foderingham and Tommy Lee have 'D-' then? Maybe 'E'. Howard is no worldbeater but your negativity and trashing of our side is a little worrying. Was it 5th or 5th bottom we finished?

Just read your reply above, which is a little more balanced. Thanks.

Not out to trash Long. Love to see a Sheffield lad make it on goal. We have brought through some crackers from the academy but rarely ever strikers or a keeper. I would like nothing more than Long to be our no 1 for years to come. Sadly I don't think he has moved on at all from the promise he showed 2 seasons ago. If anything he has gone backwards. If he was in goal to start next season would anyone feel comfortable with him there?

The comments I took from Roy were all those - I may have missed something but I don't think so. Not seen Motherwell games. They could be talking rubbish but have seen quite a few howlers he has made on highlights. Of course that does not tell real story.

Howard needs to get fit...do think his back and other injuries have affected him and I maybe did not make enough of that. If he cant get back right and continues to let in long shots/daft goals then we need to upgrade for me. Probably with so many other areas to upgrade he will be less of a priority though. I cannot comment on Foderingham or Lee for grades as I have not seen them week in, week out. If you asked most fans of League one clubs to rate keepers on games they have seen and keepers that have seen I doubt Howard would be anywhere near the top and those two would be rated higher by most impartial fans /fans of other clubs.

We finished 5th but we were closer to 5th bottom on points than 2nd top.

5th in a god damn awful division and being so far off the top was unacceptable. I can count on one hand the number of really good performances I saw (granted did not go to Barnsley or Bristol City) this season and on the whole it was poor to watch with some atrocious performances and home results. I am not trashing the club but we failed again (every other big club got out by 3 years; Leeds, Forest, Wednesday) and thus criticism at the club, manager and many players is right. We are playing teams that were part time/non league not so long ago and losing. We have fallen spectacularly and some fans seem less than angry or any urgency with such a position. That worries me. We should expect better and there is nothing wrong with that. That is not being elitist or hapring on former days but reality of the infreastrcture/academy/fans and payroll. Ultimately 5th may aswell have been 5th bottom for the outcome in the end.

 

[Roygbiv]

Fair enough, Roygbiv reports suggested otherwise

The comments on Long from the Motherwell fans started positively but went downhill fairly quick. The comments deadbat has posted are from the last set of quotes I collected from the 'well fans. If I get chance I will try and get an overall impression of whether they would like to keep him or not.

 

[Silent Blade]

The comments on Long from the Motherwell fans started positively but went downhill fairly quick. The comments deadbat has posted are from the last set of quotes I collected from the 'well fans. If I get chance I will try and get an overall impression of whether they would like to keep him or not.

Cheers Roy