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2023-24 Performances


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5.6 Season Average Rating
Appearances
51
Clean sheets
13
Goals
0
Assists
0
Yellow cards
6
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It wasn’t a weak attempt. You’re making stuff up now. He came out and blocked the shot, with the exact same body shape that any other keeper would use in that same situation. It was a good, effective block. When a keeper blocks a shot like that he has no effect on where the ball rebounds afterwards. 9 times out of 10 that ball rebounds to safety. It was pure bad luck that the ball bounced so kindly for Bowen.

We’ve reached that crazy point with a new signing now where some legitimately bad performances have made minds up about him, so people will find a way to blame him for every single goal we concede. It’s silly. That first goal was not his fault.

I'm happy to agree to disagree.

I believe he could have done more on the first goal, for a start he could have closed the gap a little more.

I also believe he could have got a stronger hand on the deflection up from his leg as it did appear limp from him.
Maybe I'm being harsh on him, or maybe I'm not, but it's my opinion and I'm sticking with it that he could of and should of done more on the first goal.
 
I'm happy to agree to disagree.

I believe he could have done more on the first goal, for a start he could have closed the gap a little more.

I also believe he could have got a stronger hand on the deflection up from his leg as it did appear limp from him.
Maybe I'm being harsh on him, or maybe I'm not, but it's my opinion and I'm sticking with it that he could of and should of done more on the first goal.

I’m surprised to hear people saying he could have closed the gap further. I was a fairly high level keeper (in the US) and I’ll share my perspective:

1. That pass was so good that Bowen could have taken it first time. As a keeper, if the first time strike is on then you have to set yourself, which is exactly what Onana did. By definition that halts forward momentum. You’ll notice Onana didn’t transition from his set stance to spread himself bigger until Bowen took the first touch - which is textbook. If the quality of the pass is worse (too strong, behind the forward, too far wide, etc) then you can keep closing. But if the pass is inch perfect at the right height/direction/pace for a first time strike, the time window to close the forward is compressed.

2. He still closed down the angle enough to save the initial shot, which was at point blank range because of Bowen’s first touch. Anytime you save a truly point blank attempt (I.e., when the time between when the shot is taken and the ball reaches you is faster than reaction times) you are not in control of the rebound direction because you can’t change the angle of the relevant body part in time. I think part of the issue here is that Onana has shown a tendency to parry into bad areas before, and so people are extrapolating that’s what happened here too. But the nature of the shot/save here were different and I don’t see any issue with how he played it.

Anyway, maybe my context is helpful here, maybe not, but do think this passage of play had nuances that are worth calling out. Feel free to write this off as “goalkeepers union” but I think he played it well.
 
I’m surprised to hear people saying he could have closed the gap further. I was a fairly high level keeper (in the US) and I’ll share my perspective:

1. That pass was so good that Bowen could have taken it first time. As a keeper, if the first time strike is on then you have to set yourself, which is exactly what Onana did. By definition that halts forward momentum. You’ll notice Onana didn’t transition from his set stance to spread himself bigger until Bowen took the first touch - which is textbook. If the quality of the pass is worse (too strong, behind the forward, too far wide, etc) then you can keep closing. But if the pass is inch perfect at the right height/direction/pace for a first time strike, the time window to close the forward is compressed.

2. He still closed down the angle enough to save the initial shot, which was at point blank range because of Bowen’s first touch. Anytime you save a truly point blank attempt (I.e., when the time between when the shot is taken and the ball reaches you is faster than reaction times) you are not in control of the rebound direction because you can’t change the angle of the relevant body part in time. I think part of the issue here is that Onana has shown a tendency to parry into bad areas before, and so people are extrapolating that’s what happened here too. But the nature of the shot/save here were different and I don’t see any issue with how he played it.

Anyway, maybe my context is helpful here, maybe not, but do think this passage of play had nuances that are worth calling out. Feel free to write this off as “goalkeepers union” but I think he played it well.

Good post.
 
I’m surprised to hear people saying he could have closed the gap further. I was a fairly high level keeper (in the US) and I’ll share my perspective:

1. That pass was so good that Bowen could have taken it first time. As a keeper, if the first time strike is on then you have to set yourself, which is exactly what Onana did. By definition that halts forward momentum. You’ll notice Onana didn’t transition from his set stance to spread himself bigger until Bowen took the first touch - which is textbook. If the quality of the pass is worse (too strong, behind the forward, too far wide, etc) then you can keep closing. But if the pass is inch perfect at the right height/direction/pace for a first time strike, the time window to close the forward is compressed.

2. He still closed down the angle enough to save the initial shot, which was at point blank range because of Bowen’s first touch. Anytime you save a truly point blank attempt (I.e., when the time between when the shot is taken and the ball reaches you is faster than reaction times) you are not in control of the rebound direction because you can’t change the angle of the relevant body part in time. I think part of the issue here is that Onana has shown a tendency to parry into bad areas before, and so people are extrapolating that’s what happened here too. But the nature of the shot/save here were different and I don’t see any issue with how he played it.

Anyway, maybe my context is helpful here, maybe not, but do think this passage of play had nuances that are worth calling out. Feel free to write this off as “goalkeepers union” but I think he played it well.

You've provided a good insight to be fair.

When I mentioned "Maybe I'm being harsh on him, or maybe I'm not", I will now say that I am leaning more towards the former.
 
I’m surprised to hear people saying he could have closed the gap further. I was a fairly high level keeper (in the US) and I’ll share my perspective:

1. That pass was so good that Bowen could have taken it first time. As a keeper, if the first time strike is on then you have to set yourself, which is exactly what Onana did. By definition that halts forward momentum. You’ll notice Onana didn’t transition from his set stance to spread himself bigger until Bowen took the first touch - which is textbook. If the quality of the pass is worse (too strong, behind the forward, too far wide, etc) then you can keep closing. But if the pass is inch perfect at the right height/direction/pace for a first time strike, the time window to close the forward is compressed.

2. He still closed down the angle enough to save the initial shot, which was at point blank range because of Bowen’s first touch. Anytime you save a truly point blank attempt (I.e., when the time between when the shot is taken and the ball reaches you is faster than reaction times) you are not in control of the rebound direction because you can’t change the angle of the relevant body part in time. I think part of the issue here is that Onana has shown a tendency to parry into bad areas before, and so people are extrapolating that’s what happened here too. But the nature of the shot/save here were different and I don’t see any issue with how he played it.

Anyway, maybe my context is helpful here, maybe not, but do think this passage of play had nuances that are worth calling out. Feel free to write this off as “goalkeepers union” but I think he played it well.
A goal keeper with strong hands pushes that ball well out of the way, he literally pats it back towards Bowen, and it's not the first time he does that, he's got weak wrists and fails to remove the danger on too many occasions. He's a big strong bloke, there is an argument that he could have totally smothered the first shot.
 
A goal keeper with strong hands pushes that ball well out of the way, he literally pats it back towards Bowen, and it's not the first time he does that, he's got weak wrists and fails to remove the danger on too many occasions. He's a big strong bloke, there is an argument that he could have totally smothered the first shot.

Another bad post.

You do realise he didn’t make the save with his hands?
 
I’m surprised to hear people saying he could have closed the gap further. I was a fairly high level keeper (in the US) and I’ll share my perspective:

1. That pass was so good that Bowen could have taken it first time. As a keeper, if the first time strike is on then you have to set yourself, which is exactly what Onana did. By definition that halts forward momentum. You’ll notice Onana didn’t transition from his set stance to spread himself bigger until Bowen took the first touch - which is textbook. If the quality of the pass is worse (too strong, behind the forward, too far wide, etc) then you can keep closing. But if the pass is inch perfect at the right height/direction/pace for a first time strike, the time window to close the forward is compressed.

2. He still closed down the angle enough to save the initial shot, which was at point blank range because of Bowen’s first touch. Anytime you save a truly point blank attempt (I.e., when the time between when the shot is taken and the ball reaches you is faster than reaction times) you are not in control of the rebound direction because you can’t change the angle of the relevant body part in time. I think part of the issue here is that Onana has shown a tendency to parry into bad areas before, and so people are extrapolating that’s what happened here too. But the nature of the shot/save here were different and I don’t see any issue with how he played it.

Anyway, maybe my context is helpful here, maybe not, but do think this passage of play had nuances that are worth calling out. Feel free to write this off as “goalkeepers union” but I think he played it well.

Thanks for some clearly nuanced and relevant insights. I thought Onana played a good game today, with som good leg work were he had the patience to let the pressure approach him before releasing it so Wan Bissaka or Shaw would have better time to progress the ball. He had some promising but imprecise long balls, but it’s hard for me to tell wether it’s the quality of the passing or it’s the front three not being in sync with their runs. A few pretty good saves with rebounds, yes, but seemingly controlled into less dangerous areas. The biggest mistake from my perspectiva seemed to be passivity in the situation where Evans had to clear abruptly, whereas he did well when Evans later gave a stressed out back pass. I thought it a good first save on the Bowen goal. The only question marks for me with the goals, were minor: First goal, it’s no mistake, but could he have been more decisive/aggressive on the rebound to charge and clear? I imagine Neuer or Schmeichel or prime De Gea would get enough on it for it not to go in. The second I was wondering about positioning (to much to the left?), but then again, if the ball goes through Evans’ legs, I guess it’s hard to foresee? What do you think?
 
Another bad post.

You do realise he didn’t make the save with his hands?
It's not a bad post, its the truth, accept it and move on. Onana is costing us points.
Yes he does, with his left hand, and pats it back towards Bowen
FFWD to about 1:50 in this video
 
It's not a bad post, its the truth, accept it and move on. Onana is costing us points.
Yes he does, with his left hand, and pats it back towards Bowen
FFWD to about 1:50 in this video


Nope. Saves it with his leg. The ball then pops up, hits his hand and bounces back to Bowen. At that range all a keeper can do is get something in the way. Which is exactly what he did, only to get undone by a freak ricochet. Have you been influenced by MOTD? Because the commentator there was just making the same ridiculous claim about weak hands. He’s a renowned idiot though.
 
Nope. Saves it with his leg. The ball then pops up, hits his hand and bounces back to Bowen. At that range all a keeper can do is get something in the way. Which is exactly what he did. Have you been influenced by MOTD? Because the commentator there was just making the same ridiculous claim.
I'm influenced by what I saw, not what some commentator says.
Either way it's no more a ridiculous claim than yours, the ball hits his hand, IMO as a "top" keeper he should do better. I watched other games today and saw so called poorer keepers making better saves in similar situations.
My opinion.
 
I’m surprised to hear people saying he could have closed the gap further. I was a fairly high level keeper (in the US) and I’ll share my perspective:

1. That pass was so good that Bowen could have taken it first time. As a keeper, if the first time strike is on then you have to set yourself, which is exactly what Onana did. By definition that halts forward momentum. You’ll notice Onana didn’t transition from his set stance to spread himself bigger until Bowen took the first touch - which is textbook. If the quality of the pass is worse (too strong, behind the forward, too far wide, etc) then you can keep closing. But if the pass is inch perfect at the right height/direction/pace for a first time strike, the time window to close the forward is compressed.

2. He still closed down the angle enough to save the initial shot, which was at point blank range because of Bowen’s first touch. Anytime you save a truly point blank attempt (I.e., when the time between when the shot is taken and the ball reaches you is faster than reaction times) you are not in control of the rebound direction because you can’t change the angle of the relevant body part in time. I think part of the issue here is that Onana has shown a tendency to parry into bad areas before, and so people are extrapolating that’s what happened here too. But the nature of the shot/save here were different and I don’t see any issue with how he played it.

Anyway, maybe my context is helpful here, maybe not, but do think this passage of play had nuances that are worth calling out. Feel free to write this off as “goalkeepers union” but I think he played it well.

This bloke is an international, he has appeared in CL finals, yet he plays like a League 1 keeper, he can only stop shots that are directly at him, anything outside of his immediate reach he struggles.
For his size he totally fails to command his area or intimidate forwards, he lacks athleticism and the ability to dive, or get to the floor quickly.
He gets beaten on his near post with alarming regularity, his overall positioning is suspect.
He gets beaten far too easily
 
This bloke is an international, he has appeared in CL finals, yet he plays like a League 1 keeper, he can only stop shots that are directly at him, anything outside of his immediate reach he struggles.
For his size he totally fails to command his area or intimidate forwards, he lacks athleticism and the ability to dive, or get to the floor quickly.
He gets beaten on his near post with alarming regularity, his overall positioning is suspect.
He gets beaten far too easily
Is there a goal this season you don't think he was at fault for?
 
With good reason, he's a liability.
As others have pointed out, he's literally facing down Bowen at point blank range. There's absolutely nothing more he could've done about that goal - it was an inch perfect pass from Paqueta that, as per fecking usual, was made possible by our midfield not tracking the runner. All Onana can do at that point is get something in the way, which he does. The deflection is just unfortunate.
 
As others have pointed out, he's literally facing down Bowen at point blank range. There's absolutely nothing more he could've done about that goal - it was an inch perfect pass from Paqueta that, as per fecking usual, was made possible by our midfield not tracking the runner. All Onana can do at that point is get something in the way, which he does. The deflection is just unfortunate.
DDG, VDS, Schmeichel all save that. He isn’t brave at the strikers feet to smother the ball which gives the opportunity for the ball to rebound to Bowen.
 
He is goalkeeper. His job is to keep the ball out of the net. Don’t you think it’s fair he at least shares the blame when he doesn’t do his job?
As far as the Premier League goes, we haven't conceded that many and Onana has conceded vastly fewer than you might have expected given the chances we're regularly conceded. (This is based on our expected goals against as per Understat)

In the Champions League, I have no arguments - he was horrendous. In the Prem, he has been fine. There's really not an awful lot a goalkeeper can do when the team in front of him is as laughably shite as ours currently is.
 
A goal keeper with strong hands pushes that ball well out of the way, he literally pats it back towards Bowen, and it's not the first time he does that, he's got weak wrists and fails to remove the danger on too many occasions. He's a big strong bloke, there is an argument that he could have totally smothered the first shot.

This is why I wrote out #2, cause lots of people are probably thinking this, but it’s just not how it works in these types of extremely close-range situations as a keeper. Diagnoses like he does or doesn’t have “strong hands” are useless and you lose all value and nuance. The nature of the pass, the transition from set to spread stances, blocking with his leg which lifted it against his hand, etc.

The truth is that the jury is still out on Onana and he’s provided plenty of reasons to doubt him, including his shot parrying in past matches, but that’s not the case here for all the reasons I already mentioned.

Thanks for some clearly nuanced and relevant insights. I thought Onana played a good game today, with som good leg work were he had the patience to let the pressure approach him before releasing it so Wan Bissaka or Shaw would have better time to progress the ball. He had some promising but imprecise long balls, but it’s hard for me to tell wether it’s the quality of the passing or it’s the front three not being in sync with their runs. A few pretty good saves with rebounds, yes, but seemingly controlled into less dangerous areas. The biggest mistake from my perspectiva seemed to be passivity in the situation where Evans had to clear abruptly, whereas he did well when Evans later gave a stressed out back pass. I thought it a good first save on the Bowen goal. The only question marks for me with the goals, were minor: First goal, it’s no mistake, but could he have been more decisive/aggressive on the rebound to charge and clear? I imagine Neuer or Schmeichel or prime De Gea would get enough on it for it not to go in. The second I was wondering about positioning (to much to the left?), but then again, if the ball goes through Evans’ legs, I guess it’s hard to foresee? What do you think?

Kudus is moving wide of both defenders and so Onana is expecting one or both defenders to reduce the chances of the shot across his body.

As you say, the shot is very low, has gone through Evans legs, from 16 yards, across Onana’s body, and hit side-netting. Did he cheat left? Looks like he very slightly did to me. Is that reasonable in the circumstances? Of course because the defenders’ position was favorable to protect far post and the easier shot for Kudus at the angle he was moving was near post. Am I certain that he cheated the perfect amount? No, mostly because it’s hard to tell even with the replays - but from what I can see his positioning is reasonable.

I will say that I thought Evans should have gone tighter to Kudus (he’s fully 5 yards in from Kudus at the time of the strike) given that he had cover, which might have improved his chances of blocking the shot, but at the end of the day it was a Mainoo error (not upset, young and learning) and a brilliant piece of play by Kudus…
 
The problem he has now is he is regarded as a dodgy keeper so any goal he lets in is questioned. I thought he was bit unlucky with first goal and could t do anything about the 2nd.
 
DDG, VDS, Schmeichel all save that. He isn’t brave at the strikers feet to smother the ball which gives the opportunity for the ball to rebound to Bowen.
Ah yes. David De Gea, well known for bravely throwing himself at strikers feet and risking getting hurt.

Onana effectively did save it. He just got extremely unlucky with where the ricochet went.
 
Whether the second goal is saveable is up for debate. However, Onana's footwork is clearly a problem for anyone familiar with the very basic goalkeeping diving technique.

Instead of using his right foot where originally was, Onana withdrew his right foot, and used his left foot for the diving. This technique is for diving down where you are, not trying to dive across the goal. So either Onana footwork is simply wrong, or his judgement for the angle of the shot is questionable.




 
Whether the second goal is saveable is up for debate. However, Onana's footwork is clearly a problem for anyone familiar with the very basic goalkeeping diving technique.

Instead of using his right foot where originally was, Onana withdrew his right foot, and used his left foot for the diving. This technique is for diving down where you are, not trying to dive across the goal. So either Onana footwork is simply wrong, or his judgement for the angle of the shot is questionable.






Your screenshots are great because in the first screenshot, with the shot already released, you can see both Onana’s feet are actually off the ground as he’s still moving to his left to change the angle. I checked and this shows up well in the live video, too. That means he had to finish setting himself and then make his way back across goal in time to reach the shot.

To me, this situation is not about diving technique but just another variation of the classic situation when a goalkeeper is still completing their lateral movement, setting themselves, and then must dive back across their goal with less time. In this case, the shot was low, so (as you said) Onana dove off his weak-side to get down faster.

Most GKs at all levels have this happen to them a few times per season. That's why it's so common to hear commentators talking about how the 'goalkeeper was still moving across his goal', and it's the same reason outfield players are told to aim back across goal.

My honest take is the caf is obsessing over this goal in many different threads, but that the reality is sometimes that a good player in great form scores a wonderful goal. While the turnover was unfortunate, Kudus did everything right and got his reward.
 
I don’t see much to flog Onana with on either goal. Both were shots a top keeper could — not would, just could — have saved, but not necessarily should have saved. Better keeper anticipation would have come in handy on both goals, but in truth fault for both goals lies with our defenders, not Onana.
 
I don't see much wrong with the second personally. It was a brilliant bit of play from Kudus and had Onana saved it I'd have been singing his praises.

The first goal while not anywhere near as bad as his worst errors this year, was weak for me. He doesn't make any major mistake, but I think he could have done better.

Not the end of the world really and he had a decent game otherwise.
 
I don't expect miracle saves from him tbh. which is why I don't care for Bowen's or even that Chelsea goal. some keepers save those, some don't. he's here to stay so as long as he doesn't make blunders like in CL, I'm satisfied.
 
Your screenshots are great because in the first screenshot, with the shot already released, you can see both Onana’s feet are actually off the ground as he’s still moving to his left to change the angle. I checked and this shows up well in the live video, too. That means he had to finish setting himself and then make his way back across goal in time to reach the shot.

To me, this situation is not about diving technique but just another variation of the classic situation when a goalkeeper is still completing their lateral movement, setting themselves, and then must dive back across their goal with less time. In this case, the shot was low, so (as you said) Onana dove off his weak-side to get down faster.

Most GKs at all levels have this happen to them a few times per season. That's why it's so common to hear commentators talking about how the 'goalkeeper was still moving across his goal', and it's the same reason outfield players are told to aim back across goal.

My honest take is the caf is obsessing over this goal in many different threads, but that the reality is sometimes that a good player in great form scores a wonderful goal. While the turnover was unfortunate, Kudus did everything right and got his reward.

I'm sure I, and a lot if others, would be very interested on your insights into the high profile perceived (many of which are actual) errors that Onana has made this season, especially in the Champions League.

It would be great to get a more professional view on his general ability, qualities, or lack thereof.
 
Whether the second goal is saveable is up for debate. However, Onana's footwork is clearly a problem for anyone familiar with the very basic goalkeeping diving technique.

Instead of using his right foot where originally was, Onana withdrew his right foot, and used his left foot for the diving. This technique is for diving down where you are, not trying to dive across the goal. So either Onana footwork is simply wrong, or his judgement for the angle of the shot is questionable.





What this doesn't show is that initially he comes off his line, to the centre of the goal area, Evans forces the attacker wider, Onana then decides to hop backwards twice giving a better (wider) view of the goal, he doesn't even follow the player, IMO he should of gone out further, narrowing the angle and forcing a wider shot, his footwork actually enlarges the target and gives a much better chance of hitting it.
It was a well placed shot, but Onana opened up the opportunity.
Watch this from about 2:25 to see exactly what I mean.
 
DDG, VDS, Schmeichel all save that. He isn’t brave at the strikers feet to smother the ball which gives the opportunity for the ball to rebound to Bowen.

Did you forget last year the goal that DDG conceded vs West ham?
 
A goal keeper with strong hands pushes that ball well out of the way, he literally pats it back towards Bowen, and it's not the first time he does that, he's got weak wrists and fails to remove the danger on too many occasions. He's a big strong bloke, there is an argument that he could have totally smothered the first shot.
It's not a bad post, its the truth, accept it and move on. Onana is costing us points.
Yes he does, with his left hand, and pats it back towards Bowen
The level of dishonesty it takes to suggest he "pats" the ball back to Bowen.

Bowen shoots from 1 yard away from him. Onana hold his body position and saves it with his leg, and the ball rebounds from his leg to his hand with the distance between his leg and his hand being about 20cm at a push.

You can't honestly be suggesting when Bowen shoots from 1 yard away from him and the ball deflects from his leg to his hand, he has enough time to push the ball away from goal with his hand? I can't believe anyone truly believes this.

I've been slating Onana for the errors he's actually made but this thread is just ridiculous now. In the eyes of the fans he should apparently have saved every single goal we concede.
 
The level of dishonesty it takes to suggest he "pats" the ball back to Bowen.

Bowen shoots from 1 yard away from him. Onana hold his body position and saves it with his leg, and the ball rebounds from his leg to his hand with the distance between his leg and his hand being about 20cm at a push.

You can't honestly be suggesting when Bowen shoots from 1 yard away from him and the ball deflects from his leg to his hand, he has enough time to push the ball away from goal with his hand? I can't believe anyone truly believes this.

I've been slating Onana for the errors he's actually made but this thread is just ridiculous now. In the eyes of the fans he should apparently have saved every single goal we concede.
:lol:
You are funny
 
The level of dishonesty it takes to suggest he "pats" the ball back to Bowen.

Bowen shoots from 1 yard away from him. Onana hold his body position and saves it with his leg, and the ball rebounds from his leg to his hand with the distance between his leg and his hand being about 20cm at a push.

You can't honestly be suggesting when Bowen shoots from 1 yard away from him and the ball deflects from his leg to his hand, he has enough time to push the ball away from goal with his hand? I can't believe anyone truly believes this.

I've been slating Onana for the errors he's actually made but this thread is just ridiculous now. In the eyes of the fans he should apparently have saved every single goal we concede.

This was inevitable.
 
:lol:
You are funny
I'll ask again.

Do you honestly believe, when Bowen shoots from 1 yard away, and the ball deflects off the goalkeeper's leg, a keeper should have the necessary reaction time to push the ball out wide away from goal? Your reaction suggests you're actually embarrassed to say that's what you believe, because you've realised how absurd it actually is.
 
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