Keeper power/influence in winning PL

**Whaddya mean was he?** · 28-01-2012, 17:49

I'm sure there are exceptions but the Premier League is won or lost between the sticks in most seasons. For me, by far and away the best buy Fergie ever made was Peter Schmeichel. The Great Dane was absolutely immense and pulled off saves that no human being should make. This in turn meant that games Utd would have lost, they ended up drawing. Games they would've drawn, they ended up winning. I know there is no way of measuring it but, on the basis of individual performances, I'm pretty sure that no player would have saved/earned more points for Utd than Schmeichel (even popped up with a few goals as well!). By pulling off great saves, it did two things; 1) gave Utd belief and confidence allowing them to play with freedom and 2) compeletely frustrated/deflated their opposition (psychologically devastating to know that you should have scored but didn't).

It obviously helps that they were banging them in for fun at the other end too but the solid defence imo was the building block for Utd's success. Fast forward several years and Edwin van der Sar gave a similar strength at the back. Contrast his last year with the current performances of de Gea. Tbf, it is not right to compare the two - vdS was at the peak of his powers with 20+ years of professional experience who had played in the PL for the majority of that time. de Gea is relatively inexperienced and obviously still getting to grips with the physicality of the English game. You see some of the goals that have been conceded this year and think ' vdS would've saved that'. You can see the difference in confidence in the rest of the team.

Meanwhile, in the blue half of Manchester, Hart has pulled off some of the most unbelievable saves. He has really kept his team in it (doing exactly what Schmeichel & vdS have done in the past).

de Gea is a good goalkeeper and probably just needs time to adjust (looks like he could use a good feed too!) but I don't know how long SAF will keep faith with him.

Fair assessment? Thoughts?
If you think I'm wrong, who has been better than Schmeichel since PL started?
What about worldwide? How would Buffon or Casillas fair in PL for example?

**shearer** · 28-01-2012, 17:53

Originally Posted by Whaddya mean was he?

I'm sure there are exceptions but the Premier League is won or lost between the sticks in most seasons. For me, by far and away the best buy Fergie ever made was Peter Schmeichel. The Great Dane was absolutely immense and pulled off saves that no human being should make. This in turn meant that games Utd would have lost, they ended up drawing. Games they would've drawn, they ended up winning. I know there is no way of measuring it but, on the basis of individual performances, I'm pretty sure that no player would have saved/earned more points for Utd than Schmeichel (even popped up with a few goals as well!). By pulling off great saves, it did two things; 1) gave Utd belief and confidence allowing them to play with freedom and 2) compeletely frustrated/deflated their opposition (psychologically devastating to know that you should have scored but didn't).

It obviously helps that they were banging them in for fun at the other end too but the solid defence imo was the building block for Utd's success. Fast forward several years and Edwin van der Sar gave a similar strength at the back. Contrast his last year with the current performances of de Gea. Tbf, it is not right to compare the two - vdS was at the peak of his powers with 20+ years of professional experience who had played in the PL for the majority of that time. de Gea is relatively inexperienced and obviously still getting to grips with the physicality of the English game. You see some of the goals that have been conceded this year and think ' vdS would've saved that'. You can see the difference in confidence in the rest of the team.

Meanwhile, in the blue half of Manchester, Hart has pulled off some of the most unbelievable saves. He has really kept his team in it (doing exactly what Schmeichel & vdS have done in the past).

de Gea is a good goalkeeper and probably just needs time to adjust (looks like he could use a good feed too!) but I don't know how long SAF will keep faith with him.

Fair assessment? Thoughts?
If you think I'm wrong, who has been better than Schmeichel since PL started?
What about worldwide? How would Buffon or Casillas fair in PL for example?

**Whaddya mean was he?** · 28-01-2012, 17:57

Be objective for a second though - if he were at Fulham or Wolves for example, no one would be saying sh*t. It's just because he's come in to fill the boots of van der Sar who was awesome. No one is going to compare favourably especially when they're thrown in at the deep end.

Even so, if I were Fergie, I'd be seriously thinking about giving Lindegaard a bit of a run in the team.

**shearer** · 28-01-2012, 18:01

Originally Posted by Whaddya mean was he?

Be objective for a second though - if he were at Fulham or Wolves for example, no one would be saying sh*t. It's just because he's come in to fill the boots of van der Sar who was awesome. No one is going to compare favourably especially when they're thrown in at the deep end.

Even so, if I were Fergie, I'd be seriously thinking about giving Lindegaard a bit of a run in the team.

Suppose your right he kept them in it today,

**B08** · 28-01-2012, 18:26

Lindegaard has been getting a run in the team, played the last 4/5 in a row. De gea is 2nd choice now. Lindegaard far more commanding an will be back for the league game on tuesday.

**bigmics_woodvalefc** · 29-01-2012, 07:41

I think ur right what ur sayin about schmeichel and vds. De gea playin at athletico wasn't playin with any pressure. And now he's at untied, 1 of the biggest clubs in the world and the club has just splashed out nearly £20 million on him. He's still only 19 and he must be thinking that he's got some void to fill left my vds! I personally think hel come good but it will take a few years for it. Fergie has seen some sort of potential in him! Lindergard is a big solid keeper and very confident. He seems to be the no.1 atm but that could change in 4-5 games time! Think I read the other week de gea was sent to get his eyes lazered by the club lol.

I would say Joe heart is playin the best in the PL atm by miles!! Doesn't make mistakes and always seems to pop up with crazy saves!!! He's won a good few points for city this year and if he wasn't between the sticks at city thing may well be very different in the league!!

**RRFC** · 29-01-2012, 08:21

Another kipper bought by the govan tramp!

**wee-ernie** · 29-01-2012, 11:57

shud mayb loan him out, 2 a lower team, let him get used 2 the english game, stil plenty of time on his side.

**fireball** · 29-01-2012, 12:32

i said de gea wasn`t the answer when united were 1st linked with him...way too young.at least lindergaard looks confident.we needed an experienced keeper.united should have signed schwarzer or even friedel .
de gea`s at the point where he thinks he needs to come for everything and it`s effecting his judgement..it looks a long way back for him after yesterday

**Rimsky** · 29-01-2012, 20:47

As a few have already mentioned i think theres too much being made of de Gea simply 'cos of who he plays for. Also thknk yesterday was too big of a game to throw him straight back in after missing 5 games. And the Agger goal was as much,if not more,the defenders' fault,the marking was poor and Agger was left with a free header which be couldn't miss! De Gea will come good...