- Feb 20, 2005
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I feel sorry for him. A great keeper on his day but was hounded by all for a few mistakes. I will him well.
Read the full article at Official Site
Read the full article at Official Site
cant understand why we haven't sold him and got a couple of million for him if the managers haven't wanted him as their number 1, good luck to him. he hasn't complained and was willing to step in and do his best if called on
One of the best shot stoppers I've ever seen
Such a pity though that his all round goal keeping was so poor.
I think it's a bit embarrassing that he stayed on for so long. I would have found it quite demeaning!
Good luck to him though, nice bloke by all accounts.
For 60 grand a week and I'm sure you could learn to put up with a little ego bruising.
He's earned himself a mint, now he can go home and play some football again.
If you say so. I mean yeah he's earned, but most footballers at the top level would want to be playing first team football. It's a matter of pride, as well as cold cash. No one starts playing football for the money, that comes much later, if you're lucky!
I reckon his confidence was knocked a bit, so it was easier to sit in the background earning, rather than risk further humiliation?! Anyway... Waiting for Levy to announce the new manger is much more fucking painful!!
Sure I understand your viewpoint. I also remember Christian Ziege being widely rounded upon for saying he didn't mind sitting on the bench earning 40k (for Liverpool) a week back in the day. I guess different pros have different feelings on that but let's be honest they should all be grateful for being in that position whether they're first choice or not.
When you think about GK though it's an interesting position. A team only plays 1 and rarely rotates but most clubs want at least one able deputy if not 2.
I guess some goalkeepers come to terms with that and are happy to play second fiddle for a while at least. Carlo Cudicini made an entire career from being a reliable #2 for example.
Basically we made an error of judgement signing him on such big wages and I really think it came off the back of our games against his then club PSV in the UEFA cup all those years ago when he made a number of great saves including the penalties that won them the tie. When it transpired he was actually only brilliant in fits and starts and on the whole quite error prone, weak at cross etc etc it was too late and no one would take him off our hands for those wages. He was perfectly within his rights to see out the contract (6 bleeding years!!) So good for him and more fool us.
Like so much of our "scouting" used to be, if they play well against us, buy 'em!
He got us champs league, I think his form at the back end of that season was very good and he pulled off some incredible saves.