Craig Gordon

Plechazunga

Grammar partisan who sleeps with a real life Ryan
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I have it on excellent* authority that we're after him in the summer.

I hope not... good keeper, great on his day, but I'm not convinced he has either the personality or the command of his area for Man United.


*dubious
 
No ta, unless he can play as well as he did yesterday every single game.
 
I'm glad we're not after him, as this thread confirms.
 
I'd heard that one too. I hope it's not true.

He's a good shot-stopper, but at 6"4 you'd like to think he'd occasionally catch a cross. Or even command his area somewhat. Alas not. And he seems to go into incredibly funks, form-wise, when things aren't going well. Which wouldn't do him any favours here.
 
On current form Gordon is as good as anyone. He's got a lot of talent and most of the tools to become world class. Problem is I'm not convinced he has yet established the maturity and experience to make these kinds of performances a consistent feature of his game.
 
BAMSOLA said:
No better than PIG or Foster on their day.

Bollocks rumour and no thanks.
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Totally agree.

Brophs said:
...He's a good shot-stopper, but at 6"6 you'd like to think he'd occasionally catch a cross. Or even command his area somewhat. Alas not. And he seems to go into incredibly funks, form-wise, when things aren't going well. Which wouldn't do him any favours here.
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Is he really 6'6???? I've always had the impression he was quite small for a keeper - certainly he never appears commanding, either in the air or in general.

Also, like Foster, I think he's mentally a bit suspect. Given how much he struggled with the pressure at Sunderland I can't see him making it at OT at all.
 
SecondFig said:
Is he really 6'6???? I've always had the impression he was quite small for a keeper - certainly he never appears commanding, either in the air or in general.

Also, like Foster, I think he's mentally a bit suspect. Given how much he struggled with the pressure at Sunderland I can't see him making it at OT at all.
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You're right. He's 6"4. The first site I saw said 6"6, but it turns out that's wrong.
 
Plechazunga said:
I have it on excellent* authority that we're after him in the summer.

I hope not... good keeper, great on his day, but I'm not convinced he has either the personality or the command of his area for Man United.


*dubious
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Really hope this is not true, he's been excellent this season and I can't think of many goalkeepers who have had two performances like his last two in a row. Whether he'd be able to cut it at Man United is doubtful because he doesn't command his box, so i think it'll suit both parties if you don't buy him.:smirk:
 
B Cantona said:
I think he's a cracking keeper actually, and if the rumour were true, it wouldn't entirely surprise me
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Beleive me the last thing we need is another keeper whos good enough for an aspirational mid table side but freezes when playing for a club as big as ours.

PIG deserves his chance as much as anybody as he was pretty good during his mid season stint(hampered slightly by a patchwork defence).

The fact is alot of keepers look excellent when they have constant traffic coming toward their goal over 90mins, its alot harder when you only have one or two key saves to make over 90mins and have to get those right knowing full well that you willl be judged on those alone.

We need a big keeper with a big personality and Gordon looks to me like a keeper who has struggled with his price tag up until very recently. As far as the mental side goes thats not too promising to say the least.
 
A Lost Mackem said:
Really hope this is not true, he's been excellent this season and I can't think of many goalkeepers who have had two performances like his last two in a row. Whether he'd be able to cut it at Man United is doubtful because he doesn't command his box, so i think it'll suit both parties if you don't buy him.:smirk:
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Hi ALM. Well it is a Mackem I got it from...
 
The next Van Der Sar has to be exemplary in his kicking, we saw how important that was against Liverpool. Gives us so much more time when our defence can trust the keeper with his feet.
 
I love Craig Gordon, for Scotland he's outstanding and that's all i really care about. I'd have him over VDS as VDS is now, Foster or PIG by a mile. He had a tough run with Sunderland but before Defoe broke his wrist he was in great form. Now he's back and back ni form he looks outstanding, the way he does for Scotland consitently.

If he maintains his form for Sunderland which i see him doing i dont doubt that a top top cluh will come for him. Uniteds loss someone elses gain.

Also this isnt a patriotic call, obviously i want to see Scots do well as it bodes well for our national team but that isnt why i tout him as a class act. I've seen far more of him due to seeing him at Hearts and with Scotland and it will never surprise me when he gets to the top because i really think he will.
 
FranklyVulgar said:
as VDS is now yes. I think his best at United is behind him,
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Good God!!!

just when you think you've heard it all.

So lets get things straight Gordon has a good run of form and suddenly he's better than an admittedly aging but still brilliant VDS who is still among the top 4 keepers in the prem despite his age?

Absolute rubbish. As I said earlier Gordon looks good because of the constant traffic coming toward his goal, if he was playing for united he'd be very quickly be found out as a keeper who does not have the concentration or the intelligence to hold down the No1 slot.

What makes anyone think this guy is any better than PIG or Foster is beyond me. Both like Gordon are good but not exceptional keepers with slight character flaws which means there is still a large question mark over whether they can cut it at OT as no1.

For my money even we already have a better keeper in PIG and i'd like to see us not waste the 10mil+ it would take to buy Gordon as that money would be better put toward a AM which is a position we need to improve in.

Once again Gordon? No thanks.
 
Seeing him a lot more than you is why i think that.

He'll prove himself to doubters. Sunderland fans doubted him at first and now realize he's made for bigger things than them. If he stays fit he'll prove to be one of the best in the premiership because on form he already is.
 
Ace said:
Not a very bold statement suggesting a forty year old athlete is past his "prime".
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It is a bold statement as Craig Gordon at 27 is currently nowhere near good enough to be a no1 at OT whereas VDS even at 40 with declining ability is good enough to hold down the no1 spot for at least 1-2 more seasons if this seasons perfomances are anything to go by.

FranklyVulgar said:
Exactly, tell it to the man above.
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Nothing to tell mate, we already have two keepers who are better than Gordon, roughly the same age as well and still can't shift a 40year old VDS, why would we want to bring in an inferior keeper to the backup we have?

So we can have another keeper on the bench?
 
BAMSOLA said:
It is a bold statement as Craig Gordon at 27 is currently nowhere near good enough to be a no1 at OT whereas VDS even at 40 with declining ability is good enough to hold down the no1 spot for at least 1-2 more seasons if this seasons perfomances are anything to go by.
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I never said that I would take Gordon over VDS. Quite the opposite. I haven't seen Gordon play but maybe five or six matches against us. Sunderland aren't exactly atop my teams to watch.
 
BAMSOLA said:
It is a bold statement as Craig Gordon at 27 is currently nowhere near good enough to be a no1 at OT whereas VDS even at 40 with declining ability is good enough to hold down the no1 spot for at least 1-2 more seasons if this seasons perfomances are anything to go by.



Nothing to tell mate, we already have two keepers who are better than Gordon, roughly the same age as well and still can't shift a 40year old VDS, why would we want to bring in an inferior keeper to the backup we have?

So we can have another keeper on the bench?
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he's proven more and been better and has more experience than PIG or Foster. I seriously doubt you are in a position to judge Gordon as a keeper at all. If you think Foster and PIG are better you clearly have no clue. A peak VDS at this stage is better of course but i dont see VDS as that good anymore.

Gordon has another 8-10 years and as a keeper isnt at his prime. He'll be a great keeper for a great side. Not united if the fans have any say but he'll prove himself eventually.

You think he's shit, clearly he's not. It's one thing to say he's not good enough for United and another to say he's shit and not as good as two keepers whohave made fools of themselves an awful lot whilst in goal for United.

Anyway this is pointless. He'll prove himself eventually, i have a lot of confidence in Gordon based on seeing him on many many occasions. He didnt cost £9million for nothing and you can continue to disregard him all you like. Time will tell and i'll be backing him.
 
I don't understand how anyone who has noticed the difference and improvement of our season with VDS playing for us can say that the best of Van der Sar is behind him.
 
It's a waste of time other than a GK in the top 10 in the world. Between Schmeichel and EVS was just a waste of time with GKers. It's a high pressure club. You need top class.
 
TonyMontana said:
I don't understand how anyone who has noticed the difference and improvement of our season with VDS playing for us can say that the best of Van der Sar is behind him.
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I would agree with you. But, we must realize he hasn't many more years left in him. One, maybe 2 more seasons.
 
FranklyVulgar said:
he's proven more and been better and has more experience than PIG or Foster. I seriously doubt you are in a position to judge Gordon as a keeper at all. If you think Foster and PIG are better you clearly have no clue. A peak VDS at this stage is better of course but i dont see VDS as that good anymore.
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When has Gordon proven himself to be better than either? Whilst playing for Sunderland? Both PIG and foster have shown themselves to be very good keepers on occasion just like Gordon and for me would look better than him if playing for sunderland, I don't know what you can possibly have seen in craig Gordon to convince you that he is the next big thing.

He is a good keeper and no more than that at this point. Foster looked just as good playing for a weaker side than Sunderland at Watford and PIG looked a good keeper at WBA before being relegated.

Also you you seem to be confusing yourself, you seem to admit that VDS is currently better than Gordon and then you go on to say that you don't think VDS is good anymore. If thats the case then what does that say about Gordon by comparison? VDS is still among the top 4 best keepers in the prem whilst Gordon simply does not look upto that standard.

Gordon has another 8-10 years and as a keeper isnt at his prime. He'll be a great keeper for a great side. Not united if the fans have any say but he'll prove himself eventually.

You think he's shit, clearly he's not. It's one thing to say he's not good enough for United and another to say he's shit and not as good as two keepers whohave made fools of themselves an awful lot whilst in goal for United.
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Could you show me where I have said in any of my posts that Gordon is shit?

I have simply said that despite being a good keeper he is no better than what we have in reserve and he is has not shown the kind of mental capacity to be able to handle the no1 spot at OT. Thats just a fact, however he is just to repeat myself a good keeper.

Also you must not have watched Foster and PIG play many games if you think that they have embarrised themselves in the no1 spot here. Both have shown on occasions the ability to be very able no1's, the key however is consistancy and having the concentration to produce key saves at key moments. Both of them lack this and I have seen nothing to suggest that Gordon has it either.

Anyway this is pointless. He'll prove himself eventually, i have a lot of confidence in Gordon based on seeing him on many many occasions. He didnt cost £9million for nothing and you can continue to disregard him all you like. Time will tell and i'll be backing him.
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Why has the fact that he cost 9mil at a Sunderland side with more money than sense got anything to do with his current level of ability? Yes he is good but not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination. The fee reflects sunderland's well know wealth and Vladimir Romanov reluctance to sell, nothing more than that.

You yourself seem to lack understanding of the mental side of goalkeeping and why somebody like Gordon might look great at Sunderland where he has to make 10 or more saves per game and at a club like united where he may be largely redundant for upto 45+ mins and then be required to make a key save with very little preparation.

Thats part of what separates a VDS from a keeper like Gordon and until he shows more than he currently has I see no signs that he could come here and be No1.
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BAMSOLA said:
When has Gordon proven himself to be better than either? Whilst playing for Sunderland? Both PIG and foster have shown themselves to be very good keepers on occasion just like Gordon and for me would look better than him if playing for sunderland, I don't know what you can possibly have seen in craig Gordon to convince you that he is the next big thing.
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Internationally, against Italy, France and a host of other top national sides. Whilst PIG can barely get a game ahead of Boruc (who isnt as good as Gordon by a distance) and Foster is in a long line of current shoddy English goal keepers.


BAMSOLA said:
He is a good keeper and no more than that at this point. Foster looked just as good playing for a weaker side than Sunderland at Watford and PIG looked a good keeper at WBA before being relegated.

Also you you seem to be confusing yourself, you seem to admit that VDS is currently better than Gordon and then you go on to say that you don't think VDS is good anymore. If thats the case then what does that say about Gordon by comparison? VDS is still among the top 4 best keepers in the prem whilst Gordon simply does not look upto that standard.
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Confusing myself? no you seem to be confused. I said VDS in his prime is better than Gordon, yet now i dont see him as being in his prime and i think in honesty he's past his best and in need of replacing and currently Gordon is a better keeper. That's what i've said and maintained.



BAMSOLA said:
Could you show me where I have said in any of my posts that Gordon is shit?

I have simply said that despite being a good keeper he is no better than what we have in reserve and he is has not shown the kind of mental capacity to be able to handle the no1 spot at OT. Thats just a fact, however he is just to repeat myself a good keeper.

Also you must not have watched Foster and PIG play many games if you think that they have embarrised themselves in the no1 spot here. Both have shown on occasions the ability to be very able no1's, the key however is consistancy and having the concentration to produce key saves at key moments. Both of them lack this and I have seen nothing to suggest that Gordon has it either.
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To rate him below PIG and Foster must mean you dont rate him at all, it could be United bias or it could be that you honestly think PIG and Foster are better goal keepers which would mean you do think Craig Gordon is shit.

I have watched Foster and PIG, both shatter their own confidence with inept performances whilst VDS was out injured, At a time where a genuinely good keeper would have staked their claim as the furture number 1 at United both these keepers made it clear that it'll take a lot of work, time or just plain will never happen at United for either.




BAMSOLA said:
Why has the fact that he cost 9mil at a Sunderland side with more money than sense got anything to do with his current level of ability? Yes he is good but not exceptional by any stretch of the imagination. The fee reflects sunderland's well know wealth and Vladimir Romanov reluctance to sell, nothing more than that.

You yourself seem to lack understanding of the mental side of goalkeeping and why somebody like Gordon might look great at Sunderland where he has to make 10 or more saves per game and at a club like united where he may be largely redundant for upto 45+ mins and then be required to make a key save with very little preparation.

Thats part of what separates a VDS from a keeper like Gordon and until he shows more than he currently has I see no signs that he could come here and be No1.
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Because nobody shells out 9mil for a keeper who isnt of a certain calibre. As for as Sunderland fans are concerned it is money well spent. They pretty much think the two best players they have are Bent and Gordon as both have justified their fees.

I understand the mental side of it. I've seen him play for scotland against the minnow sides of europe where he is barely called into action yet every time he is he is assured and concentrated. His mentality is superb for a keeper and his concentration is not in doubt. He rarely makes mistakes and the one area of his game that i think he would need to improve to be the number 1 at a top top club would be his command of the area. But again I think when you have great defenders it is easier for a keeper,
 
TonyMontana said:
I don't understand how anyone who has noticed the difference and improvement of our season with VDS playing for us can say that the best of Van der Sar is behind him.
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The difference is the inept performances of PIG and Foster.

Funny how nobody mentions the form of Sunderland coinciding with the return of Gordon from a wrist break.
 
FranklyVulgar said:
The difference is the inept performances of PIG and Foster.

Funny how nobody mentions the form of Sunderland coinciding with the return of Gordon from a wrist break.
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I will go along with you some of the way here FranklyV. Gordon has all the qualities to be a great goalkeeper. In fact, I think if Arsenal had him in goal this season they'd be out of sight in the league. Also, he's better than Robert Green, who is the English national team.

Where he falls down is his consistancy. He tends to let in a softish goal now and then, and because of the £9M feel it gets picked up on. People are expecting Schmeichel II for that price. He's still pretty young and he's going to improve year on year with Premier League experience.

I know what you're saying about PIG and Foster, but I don't totally agree. Foster is a total disaster that I totally agree with. He can't cope with the mental side of playing for United, he's a bag of nerves and it shows. He has great reflexes, but we don't 'think' when using reflexes, they just happen. When he has to think about something, like a back pass or a cross he's a mess. He'll never ever make it at us ever, get rid.

PIG on the otherhand, well I felt he was dodgey too, but I must say he did very well when called on this season when VdS broke his finger. I'd have him over Foster anyday, and in my opinion he's agreat backup goalkeeper, but not a No. 1.

If we went for Gordon, we'd be expected to pay £10M+ on principal... and I think that's a little much for him.
 
I appreciate your sentiments Wizard. I think Gordon will go on and become a top top keeper once he has established the consitency you speak of.

He was actually just finding his best form before Defoe put the boot in and now he's back from injury and had a few games has turned in 3 motm performances in his last 4/5 games.

Injuries and unsettled backlines have been his burdon so far but with the more stable defense his return from injury has coincided with Sunderlands upturn in results. Saved them from 3 defeats or at least 2 in his last few games which is exceptional.

Even the likes of Casillas will make mistakes when his backline is constantly exposed and unsettled and i still think he's a fantastic keeper. Every keeper will have a howler or let in the odd soft goal but i really think in say two years time if Gordon isn't signed by United you'll wish he was (if you dont get a world class keeper to replace VDS) and if he is you will all be happy even if the price is £10m+.
 
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