Let's face it, we are pretty spoiled in the goal keeping department at the moment. Harper is getting on but could probably handle another couple of seasons in the Prem. Krul has had some match time over the last 2 or 3 seasons and always looked good as shot stopper, but with some questions marks over his ability on crosses and decision making. I've never seen Forster play as he's never made a first team appearance for us but he impressed at Norwich last season and also looks like he will be a top 'keeper - not to mention he's another local lad.
The plan seemed to be for Forster to go out on loan again to Burnley but this has seemingly been put on hold because of an alledged injury to Steve Harper. I originally thought it would be a better idea to send Krul out on loan this season as Forster has more experience now and seems up to the job of no.2 'keeper. Part of me is actually hoping that Harper is out for a sustained period of time so we are forced to play and further develop these two young 'keepers. I think we could be in a situation where both are ahead of Harper by the start of next season. In the long run, though, my gut feeling is Forster may be the 1st choice. It just seems a tricky one for the manager to handle with all three wanting to play.
Full Version: Keepers
I heard Celtic were after Harper, after waiting for so long to grab the number 1 shirt i'd be fairly shocked if he decided to leave now.
Definitely one area where we are well equipped not forgetting Ole Soderberg is supposed to be pretty highly rated too.
Its a nice situation to have although I think we are going to have to start playing one of either Forster or Krul soon or risk losing them. Both have had a taste for football out on loan so wont want to wait around on the bench forever.
Harper is solid and a good honest pro but has a few flaws in his game for me, personally I would have liked to have seen Hughton go with Krul last season but can understand why he went for experience.
Not sure how true this injury to Harper is, I get the impression that we are stalling the deal for Forster to go to Burnley for 2 reasons - firstly we still havent decided whether we want him or Krul to go on loan and secondly would Burnley play him ahead of the beast?? No point Forster sitting on the bench at another club really.
I dont want to wish bad things on any of our players but it might take something like an injury to Harper to force our hand and give one of these guys a shot at playing regularly.
Its a nice situation to have although I think we are going to have to start playing one of either Forster or Krul soon or risk losing them. Both have had a taste for football out on loan so wont want to wait around on the bench forever.
Harper is solid and a good honest pro but has a few flaws in his game for me, personally I would have liked to have seen Hughton go with Krul last season but can understand why he went for experience.
Not sure how true this injury to Harper is, I get the impression that we are stalling the deal for Forster to go to Burnley for 2 reasons - firstly we still havent decided whether we want him or Krul to go on loan and secondly would Burnley play him ahead of the beast?? No point Forster sitting on the bench at another club really.
I dont want to wish bad things on any of our players but it might take something like an injury to Harper to force our hand and give one of these guys a shot at playing regularly.
QUOTE(Whitley_Mag @ Jul 21 2010, 06:22 AM) 
I heard Celtic were after Harper, after waiting for so long to grab the number 1 shirt i'd be fairly shocked if he decided to leave now.
I don't think he'd be allowed to leave even if he wanted to which I doubt he does. If that deal came off it'd be because either Hughton thinks the other two are good enough now or Ashley wants to bank some cash. I doubt Celtic are going to be offering very much though as there doesn't seem to be too much money floating around in Scottish football.
Pretty sure Harper will be #1 choice 'keeper this season.
QUOTE(Big Bad Titus @ Jul 21 2010, 10:06 AM)
Definitely one area where we are well equipped not forgetting Ole Soderberg is supposed to be pretty highly rated too.
Its a nice situation to have although I think we are going to have to start playing one of either Forster or Krul soon or risk losing them. Both have had a taste for football out on loan so wont want to wait around on the bench forever.
Harper is solid and a good honest pro but has a few flaws in his game for me, personally I would have liked to have seen Hughton go with Krul last season but can understand why he went for experience.
Not sure how true this injury to Harper is, I get the impression that we are stalling the deal for Forster to go to Burnley for 2 reasons - firstly we still havent decided whether we want him or Krul to go on loan and secondly would Burnley play him ahead of the beast?? No point Forster sitting on the bench at another club really.
I dont want to wish bad things on any of our players but it might take something like an injury to Harper to force our hand and give one of these guys a shot at playing regularly.
Agree with all of that. We need to see Krul and/or Forster get a decent amount of games this season and hopefully be ready to step in as #1 choice next season.
QUOTE(Whitley_Mag @ Jul 21 2010, 05:22 AM)
I heard Celtic were after Harper, after waiting for so long to grab the number 1 shirt i'd be fairly shocked if he decided to leave now.
I read that a few times this summer & hopefully there's no truth in it. Just found this...
Celtic to hold talks with David James
QUOTE(Big Bad Titus @ Jul 21 2010, 10:06 AM)
Definitely one area where we are well equipped not forgetting Ole Soderberg is supposed to be pretty highly rated too.
Its a nice situation to have although I think we are going to have to start playing one of either Forster or Krul soon or risk losing them. Both have had a taste for football out on loan so wont want to wait around on the bench forever.
Harper is solid and a good honest pro but has a few flaws in his game for me, personally I would have liked to have seen Hughton go with Krul last season but can understand why he went for experience.
Not sure how true this injury to Harper is, I get the impression that we are stalling the deal for Forster to go to Burnley for 2 reasons - firstly we still havent decided whether we want him or Krul to go on loan and secondly would Burnley play him ahead of the beast?? No point Forster sitting on the bench at another club really.
I dont want to wish bad things on any of our players but it might take something like an injury to Harper to force our hand and give one of these guys a shot at playing regularly.
Kind of my thoughts too, as much as Harper has been loyal throughout his career and deserved the number one spot for a prolonged period, we need to keep hold of Krul, which means giving him more gametime, hopefully he can be invloved in the cup competitions again this year and then hopefully be given the number 1 next season.
QUOTE(Big Bad Titus @ Jul 21 2010, 10:06 AM)
Definitely one area where we are well equipped not forgetting Ole Soderberg is supposed to be pretty highly rated too.
Its a nice situation to have although I think we are going to have to start playing one of either Forster or Krul soon or risk losing them. Both have had a taste for football out on loan so wont want to wait around on the bench forever.
Harper is solid and a good honest pro but has a few flaws in his game for me, personally I would have liked to have seen Hughton go with Krul last season but can understand why he went for experience.
Not sure how true this injury to Harper is, I get the impression that we are stalling the deal for Forster to go to Burnley for 2 reasons - firstly we still havent decided whether we want him or Krul to go on loan and secondly would Burnley play him ahead of the beast?? No point Forster sitting on the bench at another club really.
I dont want to wish bad things on any of our players but it might take something like an injury to Harper to force our hand and give one of these guys a shot at playing regularly.
Agree totally.
Like you said about Soderberg, they rate him highly over in Sweden, they seem to think he could be the next Thomas Ravelli
QUOTE(Black country toon @ Jul 21 2010, 02:28 PM)
QUOTE(Big Bad Titus @ Jul 21 2010, 10:06 AM)
Definitely one area where we are well equipped not forgetting Ole Soderberg is supposed to be pretty highly rated too.
Its a nice situation to have although I think we are going to have to start playing one of either Forster or Krul soon or risk losing them. Both have had a taste for football out on loan so wont want to wait around on the bench forever.
Harper is solid and a good honest pro but has a few flaws in his game for me, personally I would have liked to have seen Hughton go with Krul last season but can understand why he went for experience.
Not sure how true this injury to Harper is, I get the impression that we are stalling the deal for Forster to go to Burnley for 2 reasons - firstly we still havent decided whether we want him or Krul to go on loan and secondly would Burnley play him ahead of the beast?? No point Forster sitting on the bench at another club really.
I dont want to wish bad things on any of our players but it might take something like an injury to Harper to force our hand and give one of these guys a shot at playing regularly.
Kind of my thoughts too, as much as Harper has been loyal throughout his career and deserved the number one spot for a prolonged period, we need to keep hold of Krul, which means giving him more gametime, hopefully he can be invloved in the cup competitions again this year and then hopefully be given the number 1 next season.
I would sell him as well as I feel Forster can step up to the mark, and hope that the couple of million we could potentially get for Harper would be put towards new recruits plus can imagine Harps is on a pretty penny or two
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