Keeper 2017/8

Apparently Bruce wants to make the Johnstone move permanent.

I didn't expect that - nor do I approve. IMO thats a clanger of the highest order from Bruce.

Sure we have kept a lot of clean sheets lately - to me thats in spite of Johnstone - not because of him

At his best, he's half as good as what we need. Sell Bunn and keep Johnstone on the bench maybe .

I haven't seen him lately. He was certainly a liability for too long, but reports I'd read recently seemed to highlight a real improvement. Still don't know if the improvement is anywhere near what we need, maybe one if the VP regulars on here could give their view.
It would have to.be massive though as he was way off the standard earlier in his tenure, but as for any player, if he's doing the job we need to the standard we need I'll be the first to say I was wrong, cos I have said in the past I thought he was useless.

De Kuip wrote:I haven't seen him lately. He was certainly a liability for too long, but reports I'd read recently seemed to highlight a real improvement. Still don't know if the improvement is anywhere near what we need, maybe one if the VP regulars on here could give their view.
It would have to.be massive though as he was way off the standard earlier in his tenure, but as for any player, if he's doing the job we need to the standard we need I'll be the first to say I was wrong, cos I have said in the past I thought he was useless.

Way below what we need. There has been a slight improvement - but then weve been playing a lot of poor or out of form teams.

Having read the article more closely Bruce is on about extending the loan - which is even more odd

He's improved but still isn't good enough

It's interesting because at similar ages Tom Heaton and Ben Foster, who were both at United themselves, were also on loan to championship clubs at the age of 23/24. So maybe Bruce is hoping Sam emulates those keepers? He done well in the last game against Wigan and was impressive against Spurs in the cup. The problem is during that terrible spell in January he was at fault for more than a few goals. Has he improved? I'd say yes but I'd rather wait until the end of the season before making any judgement. Because the fact is most of the clubs at the top end of this division have experienced keepers and the last thing we need is keeper problems again next season.

If it's a permanent signing I'm cool with it. If it's a loan then no. Shipping Gollini out while loaning another young keeper was woeful transfer dealings.

He just doesn't do anything for me. The vast majority of shots on target get past him, he doesn't command his area , and his distribution is poor.

I hope by some miracle he isn't our number 1 next season