What I can't decide about Gordon is whether he's a big club sort of player, temperamentally. He's certainly very calm, apparently he's an unflappable character. But he hasn't got any obvious charisma either... he's not the sort of keeper who you feel owns his area. Then again nor is VDS.
Craig Gordon
- Thread starter Plechazunga
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
I'm not so confident in Fergie's ability to 'grow' a top keeper.
Barthez, Howard, Foster could have been great keepers but Fergie didn't wait long when mistakes were made - which would have to be accepted if you want to allow a promising keeper to grow into a great one.
While I would love United to sign a young keeper like De Gea or Neuer (for example) I think signing an experienced one that he will trust to be solid at the very very least is far more likely.
How do you know this as fact exactly?
I rate Gordon. It only his injury record that has worried me in the past.
Scottish goalkeeper.
United need a top class GK. There's no point in going for second tier GK. They went through that phase when Schmeichel left until Van der Sar came in.
He's a good keeper but I just think there are better alternatives out there. Wouldn't rule out this move though, what with him being proven in the Premiership. His injury record could work against him though.
It's just a waste of time.
One of the best attributes of Van Der Sar and Schmeichel was their distribution and their ability to start the counter attack. I believe that it was this quality which kept Ben Foster around so long.
I see Gordon's qualities as a shot stopper and in commanding the box, but I'm not sure he has the technical ability and aggression to launch attacks at the level required for United.
In most matches United dominates possession and protects its goalkeeper behind one of the best defenses in Europe. In such matches Van Der Sar's job most of the time is often that of a sweeper keeping the ball moving back up into the attack. That's not to say he doesn't have to come up with a few important stops even in the most one-sided match, but rather to say that most of the time he isn't threatened like he would have been when he was playing for Fulham.
In Europe, against the better sides, United typically play on the counter attack. Against Milan in the Champions League a few years back, Van Der Sar threw the ball back out again and again, despite it leading to a quick loss of possession most of the time which kept inviting more pressure on United's beleagured defenders and more shots on VDS's goal. As a result one of those counter attacks managed to result in a precious away goal despite United being under threat most of the match.
I've concluded that a United goalkeeper has to be a part of the attack in a way a keeper for a mid or low-table club does not.
Right now United are weighing their options before dipping into the transfer market. Gordon is definitely quality and deserving of the attention of United's scouts. But I'm guessing that when it comes time to settle on a name it'll be a keeper with superior distribution and not Craig Gordon.
I see Gordon's qualities as a shot stopper and in commanding the box, but I'm not sure he has the technical ability and aggression to launch attacks at the level required for United.
In most matches United dominates possession and protects its goalkeeper behind one of the best defenses in Europe. In such matches Van Der Sar's job most of the time is often that of a sweeper keeping the ball moving back up into the attack. That's not to say he doesn't have to come up with a few important stops even in the most one-sided match, but rather to say that most of the time he isn't threatened like he would have been when he was playing for Fulham.
In Europe, against the better sides, United typically play on the counter attack. Against Milan in the Champions League a few years back, Van Der Sar threw the ball back out again and again, despite it leading to a quick loss of possession most of the time which kept inviting more pressure on United's beleagured defenders and more shots on VDS's goal. As a result one of those counter attacks managed to result in a precious away goal despite United being under threat most of the match.
I've concluded that a United goalkeeper has to be a part of the attack in a way a keeper for a mid or low-table club does not.
Right now United are weighing their options before dipping into the transfer market. Gordon is definitely quality and deserving of the attention of United's scouts. But I'm guessing that when it comes time to settle on a name it'll be a keeper with superior distribution and not Craig Gordon.
I'd love to see Buffon, or someone of that class come in. I think it will be a continental player though as I can't really think of another premiership keeper bar Reina that would do the job for us, and there's no chance of signing him.
Do not want. end off.
To be fair it's not 1963. For the last generation or so we've had good depth in the goalkeeping position and both McGregor and Gordon have shown themselves far more capable in the international arena than any English keeper during the last decade.
I like him, I think he's a very good keeper. He's shown on plenty occasions now he's capable of making saves other keepers aren't. If he could handle the pressures of playing for a club like United... bring it on I say
he made that amazing save that I saw against....
ahhh bloody can't remember now.
ahhh bloody can't remember now.
Actually that's the one part of his game that has improved over the last 18 months or so.
His temperament and ability to organise a defence, plus his footwork, would make him a really good choice for us. Particularly if VDS remains as a coach.
Who would be first choice for Capello if he were English.
Don't be silly, he's behind Green and James let alone Hart.
Joe Hart is much the better goalkeeper. It's obvious. I'd take Gordon over Green et al though.
FFS , didnt we just sign a keeper..
wum.Yeah, but with PIGs ambivalent behavior saying he is the next number one or he is off, as well as Ferguson said that van der Sar is likeley to retire; there are two leaving.
I don't believe in just giving the spot to Lindegaard. Beckham had to walk trough Kanchelskis and Poborsky, Giggs had to battle it out with Lee Sharpe, Ferguson did not sell Ince before he knew Scholes were ready to replace him, Gary Neville broke trew while Paul Parker was still at the club. Former stars has not just been given the spot, they have earned them! Consistency is important in the goalkeeping spot, and Lindegaard is a talented goalkeeper at 26, but most goalkeepers are best on the other side of 30, and Lindegaard only has two seasons in Norway as well as matches elsewhere when he was not the first choice. He probably needs time.
Gordon is a ok option, personally I think we have to go abroad though. As I have stated in the Rene Adler thread, I think we should go German with either Neuer or Adler. Regardless of who we sign, I believe Lindegaard is talented enough to make the first spot his own, but I think he needs to develop quite a bit before he is where he needs to be to be our goalkeeper.
Goalkeepers are a complex issue though, you never know what you get. When we signed Barthez we seemed to be the best in the world he did not work out. Bosnich had done well in England for years, he did not work out. Van der Sar was not really that fantastic at Fulham or at Juventus before that, he became the best in the world after he joined us.
I agree.
One of the main differences between VDS and PIG is that VDS 'tells' the outfield players where to go by throwing/passing the ball out quickly, and the players expect it. With PIG, more often than not you see the players telling him where to play the ball. Then he just lumps it upfield after realising the moment has gone.
I still rate PIG though, just not sure if he can be our #1.
England haven't had a reliable keeper since Seaman was in his pomp. Martyn fecked up in 2000, old Dave in 2002, James in 2004 and since then Carson, Robinson and Green have all been about as reassuring as Frank Haffey. Hart's promising but an unproven quantity at the top level.
All that may be true but Gordon's probably not PL quality (what's the time Gio?)
Gordon isnt PL quality? Are you serious?
The more you post, the more I read the more i know you don't know what you're on about. If you seriously think both Hart and Green are better than Gordon then in my humble opinion you simply haven't seen enough of Gordon.
Hart is definitely way better than Gordon and Green is probably better.
'Hart is way better' - having a laugh there mate. I'll tell you what, Hart is way over-rated in England. In fact if I was Given i'd actually be a bit miffed right now. I've seen more mistakes by both of these keepers (JH & RG) in the past few months than I've seen from Gordon in 3 plus years of playing in the EPL.
Anyway, the only problem I'd foresee for Gordon is the pressure of expectation from the United fans (coz of the price-tag, as was the case at the SoL). He won the Sunderland fans over and they now appreciate how good he really is.
Anyway, the only problem I'd foresee for Gordon is the pressure of expectation from the United fans (coz of the price-tag, as was the case at the SoL). He won the Sunderland fans over and they now appreciate how good he really is.
I'd have no problem with Gordon, he has all the tools ... don't know enough about his mentality to make a call.
figures being banded around- 18M???? surely not?
Not sure about your memory here but when VDS was at Fulham he was outstanding which is why so many were happy we signed him. I remember him as being first class for Fulham. As far as best in the world goes Im not sure on that one.
imo harldy an up-grade from Kuszczak
Rubbish.
I'm with Pete. Hart is much better than Gordon right now. I'd take Gordon over Green though.
Hart is over-rated here, he isn't that good actually. I would take Gordon over Hart anyday.
I'd take Hart over Gordon but mostly because of fitness, not talent. Gordon is a considerably better keeper than Green though. In fact if he settles into a permanent slot and keeps fit I think he'll prove better than Hart too.
In which case you clearly overrate Gordon.