The keeper situation, thoughts?

[Chezzy_Blade]

It seems we have a couple of experienced goalkeepers on trial at the minute with the view of one of them signing on as Mark Howard's understudy. Obviously Long have gone on Loan to Oxford and it seems Cloughy wants willis to do the same as he is keen for them both to serve a first team apprenticeship somewhere to gain that bit of experience.

It seems Ian Turner (edit) is one of the trialists, I originally got it wrong and thought I heard Bennett was coming back but have since learnt it is Turner from Wardy, good experienced player. The onther one is former Derby County academy graduate Ross Atkins who has been used as a back up keeper at more than half a dozen clubs despite only being 24.

I just wondered if everyone agreed with this? Would it have not been better development for Willis to be Howard's understudy at The Lane and get his pitch time as and when?.

 

[Wardy1889]

It seems we have a couple of experienced goalkeepers on trial at the minute with the view of one of them signing on as Mark Howard's understudy. Obviously Long have gone on Loan to Oxford and it seems Cloughy wants willis to do the same as he is keen for them both to serve a first team apprenticeship somewhere to gain that bit of experience.

It seems Ian Bennett is one of the trialists we all know what he is all about, he's still fighting fit at 42 years old. The onther one is former Derby County academy graduate Ross Atkins who has been used as a back up keeper at more than half a dozen clubs despite only being 24.

I just wondered if everyone agreed with this? Would it have not been better development for Willis to be Howard's understudy at The Lane and get his pitch time as and when?.

I thought it was Iain Turner, ex Everton goalie who was on trial

 

[Chezzy_Blade]

I thought it was Iain Turner, ex Everton goalie who was on trial

Oh is it buddy? I heard it really on the radio. More convincing than Ian Bennet then . In all fairness Turner isn't a bad keeper, has experience and age on his side.

 

[Gavlar]

It seems we have a couple of experienced goalkeepers on trial at the minute with the view of one of them signing on as Mark Howard's understudy. Obviously Long have gone on Loan to Oxford and it seems Cloughy wants willis to do the same as he is keen for them both to serve a first team apprenticeship somewhere to gain that bit of experience.

It seems Ian Turner (edit) is one of the trialists, I originally got it wrong and thought I heard Bennett was coming back but have since learnt it is Turner from Wardy, good experienced player. The onther one is former Derby County academy graduate Ross Atkins who has been used as a back up keeper at more than half a dozen clubs despite only being 24.

I just wondered if everyone agreed with this? Would it have not been better development for Willis to be Howard's understudy at The Lane and get his pitch time as and when?.

Well we need someone else other than Willis as back up in my view. It depends on if we have an auto recall on Long from Oxford tho, if we can do that then i would bring Long straight back in if Howard gets injured.

 

[Esablade]

Get Jags back!

 

[WeareBlades]

Both of em will be on sod all (in terms of footballers wages) and if Clough rates one of them then I don't see why not. I think Willis would be better serving his time at another club for experience and come back pushing for first team, same for Long. Both going to be very good keepers IMO.

 

[Fazak]

For me George Long needs a good spell away from the pressure of playing for a club with such high expectations to establish himself in the man's end of the game. I also think George Willis in a similar situation to George but about 18 months behind him in terms of his development.

If United are serious about getting automatic promotion then I think they need experienced, good quality goalkeeping cover for every minute of every game throughout the season, to cover for injury and loss of form. For that reason I think signing a second keeper to seriously compete with Mark Howard for the first team spot is essential.

 

[s35blade]

If it gets bad we will just loan in an 40 year old keeper spending his time in Stoke's reserve team. Like we did the year that Paddy bought some "cough medicine".

 

[wizadry]

It seems we have a couple of experienced goalkeepers on trial at the minute with the view of one of them signing on as Mark Howard's understudy. Obviously Long have gone on Loan to Oxford and it seems Cloughy wants willis to do the same as he is keen for them both to serve a first team apprenticeship somewhere to gain that bit of experience.

It seems Ian Turner (edit) is one of the trialists, I originally got it wrong and thought I heard Bennett was coming back but have since learnt it is Turner from Wardy, good experienced player. The onther one is former Derby County academy graduate Ross Atkins who has been used as a back up keeper at more than half a dozen clubs despite only being 24.

I just wondered if everyone agreed with this? Would it have not been better development for Willis to be Howard's understudy at The Lane and get his pitch time as and when?.

Good post and some very good points you bring up,along with all the other opinions of the other posters.My take on it is,if we weren't going to play Long last season,we should have let him go on loan then,the same with Willis now,let him get game time as soon as possible,although ive seen him and i know he's going to be a good keeper,let him go and get that crucial playing time whats obviously required,especially in the goalkeeping position imo.

 

[Revolution]

I view this as money down the drain. Long and/or Willis should have been doing this job.

 

[wizadry]

I view this as money down the drain. Long and/or Willis should have been doing this job.

I agree, but the problem is,if Cloughy ain't going to play them,then he should be sending them out on loan instead of benching them.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

Just a thought - not that I have ever got my head round the new rules regarding wages/turnover etc but aren't u/21 year old's wages discounted from the formula and an incoming experienced reserve keeper's wages will count against the total we are allowed ? I agree though that keepers need match play so if we are to see the two George's go out on loan its probably for the best long term.