Name them.
The only thing that's wrong with his kicking is that he should be kicking you and not the ball.
David de Gea | 2011-14 Performances
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Name them.
The only thing that's wrong with his kicking is that he should be kicking you and not the ball.
Honestly passing is the last area in which I'll say DDG needs to improve.
That are 21!?!?!
His kicking tends to hit a man more than most goalies.
This is what happens when a player makes 1 major mistake in one area of the game.. people start to think that its a weakness and ignore the other 1000 times when the player was brilliant at that.
Wojciech Szczęsny* is 21. Other than him, you've got to go up to 23/24 for the next lot of excellent young keepers.
I'd rate DDG higher than Szczesny though, so your point still stands in my opinion.
The only thing I was slightly concerned about with him was his claiming the ball in the air, but now I've seen him do it against Newcastle with Demba Ba trying to outmuscle him, those fears are gone.
*May have had to Google that spelling
I've been saying this well before the Benfica gaf that everybody in this thread apart from you seems determined to ignore.
Sorry, but in matches througout the season I've had cause to turn around to to mates and say "there you go, straight into touch / straight to an opponent / sliced along the floor - why do people say he's so good at kicking?". Thos mates didn't reply "No mate, you imagined it, that pass found one of our players", but rather they agree.
So, if you don't mind, I'll trust my own eyes and the real-time opinion of peple I'm sat with, rather than the distorted, well-after-the-event views of people on the intenet.
Hart, Krul, Vorm... all having amazing seasons.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he'll be better than any of them, and he's already better than a few others around. I'm just saying at the moment he's not amongst the best in the league.
You forgot Beggervick and Rayner.
Bloody phone... Combined with a penchant for putting e's on the end of names. You know who I mean anyway.
David De Gea has been our best player this season.
In all honesty, I dont think there are too many players that have been more impressive in the Premier League overalll. I can think of Robin van Persie, David Silva, possibly Balotelli...I cant think of too many off of the top of my head.
In all honesty, I dont think there are too many players that have been more impressive in the Premier League overalll. I can think of Robin van Persie, David Silva, possibly Balotelli...I cant think of too many off of the top of my head.
You did imagine it. I watch United games at least twice since I'm aware of distortions brought on by heat-of-the-moments emotions during a game.
For reasons I won't get into, I've analysed some of DDG's games, and I can't agree with your assessment of his kicking.
Not only that, weren't there some stats up on the chalkboard about his kicking accuracy? He had some ridiculous numbers as I recall, in all but one game.
Ah, a caftard classic, the "I know more about football than you" line.
If we were talking about subtle tactical nuances,that line might hold (though it would probably just be unwarranted bravado in most cases here), but we're not. We're talking about a bloke shanking the ball into touch. You don't need a coaching qualification to see that, just a functioning pair of eyes and an accurate recollection of what they tell you.
I think you're being a bit generous to Vorm, tbh. I think he's a great highlights keeper; he makes a lot of spectacular saves but his all round game is a bit less convincing. I know he's under constant pressure there but he's thrown in a few already this season.
As for the other two then yeah, I reckon they shade it if only because they haven't made as many mistakes.
I seriously don't get how someone can question the guys kicking, maybe his decision making with kicks lets him down now and again but he's 21...I think he try some of those back slice kicks a bit too much personally, but that was mostly in earlier games.
Ah, a caftard classic, the "I know more about football than you" line.
If we were talking about subtle tactical nuances,that line might hold (though it would probably just be unwarranted bravado in most cases here), but we're not. We're talking about a bloke shanking the ball into touch. You don't need a coaching qualification to see that, just a functioning pair of eyes and an accurate recollection of what they tell you.
Guess you've missed the number of times he's chipped a 40-yard pass out to our right-back, then.
When he gets a pass back, he'll typically play it first time to the CB, effortlessly.
I know, I was just messing about. I actually liked how they all looked like parody names.
OK, given the number of people who seem convinced, I'll specifically look out for the number of good kicks he makes in future matches. In return I expect you rose-tinted lot to keep any eye out for the ones he spanners up too...
Interesting article, and fits in what Marjen said (didn't happen to have read that article, did you Marjen?
).I guess I've not been paying attention so much to all the short passes back and forwards with the defence, but have noticed more the long, seemingly untargeted ones.
OK, given the number of people who seem convinced, I'll specifically look out for the number of good kicks he makes in future matches. In return I expect you rose-tinted lot to keep any eye out for the ones he spanners up too...
I think you're missing the point. It's statistics. Of course he'll make bad clearances. He'll also make good ones. It's the ratio of each to the total that matters.
And the statistics don't bear out your interpretation of events. Not one bit.
So, don't say you'll specifically look out for a certain type of kick, or ask us to specifically look out for errors. Those are single incidents and irrelevant. The pattern, however, is important.
We were blessed with VDS in the kicking department, De Gea looks like he has the ability to be even greater with the ball as his feet, some of his passing is outstanding.
Interesting article, and fits in what Marjen said (didn't happen to have read that article, did you Marjen?
I guess I've not been paying attention so much to all the short passes back and forwards with the defence, but have noticed more the long, seemingly untargeted ones.
Actually I didn't before my posts - but that's from the first few matches of the season, IMO he's grown even more confident as the season has worn one.
Creds for actually listening to arguments that doesn't fit with your view. A rare commodity on here.
there is always one who feels the need to moan where there is nothing to at all
Stop your whining, Escobar.
It's not just the basic statistics though, as we've discussed many times. There's the question of which passes work and which don't:
Have you seen some of Hart's mistakes in the CL? Don't think the caf would be a happy place if De Gea made those. As Brophs already said I think you're overrating Vorm based on some spectacular saves. Krul has a fantastic season, that I'll agree with.
If you ignore De Gea's mistakes in the first games he played for us, how many has he made since then? Apart from the one against Benfica I can't really think of any, although every team we've played have done everything in their power to put him under pressure.
It's not just the basic statistics though, as we've discussed many times. There's the question of which passes work and which don't:
You didn't just use one of his first games at United to back up your point, did you? Really?
I don't think VDS' kicking was that fantastic - very good, no doubt, but a level below Reina in terms of accuracy - it was his composure on the ball and comfortability with both feet that set him apart from so many others. I think De Gea's probably a little better than Reina in terms of his distribution and isn't far off VDS' composure on the ball. Very impressive in that sense so I'm surprised it's been criticised.
Looks a class above Hart, for me.
I used one of the chalkboards from the article that was linked above... didn't realise that article was out of date now.
Well, I just took a look VDS's last ever chalkboard, and I'm yet to see anything like this from DeGea... I return once again to the accuracy of the long ones into the opposition half:
You're joking? Can't you see a contradiction in those two bold parts? Good with both feet. Now how many footballers in general are like that? VDS was better with his weaker foot than most keepers in the league are with their strong foot. How is that not fantastic? Has there been any other goalkeeper ever that was equal footed? I'd certainly like to know.
Reina is great when he has the ball in his hands, weather he kicks it or throws it. Pass it back to him and it's a whole different ball game. It's like the difference between crossing the ball in play and taking a corner.
"Comfortability?"
I read that as control with both feet, could be just me.
It's not a word.
Sorry man, that was a reply to Snow.
I didn't even notice that!
I didn't even notice that!
It's not just the basic statistics though, as we've discussed many times. There's the question of which passes work and which don't:
Dude, stats mean more than one sample!!!
Seriously, man!!
EDIT: just having dinner, I decided to look through six or seven games to analyse the trend you point out. You were right. Passes over the halfway line go awry more often than not. He needs to improve that. But I also wonder whether, being a small side who like to play it short, we are simply disadvantaged anyway.
Yeah, but let him have it, you can see what he means.
I might be remembering wrongly to emphasize a point, but didn't Foster come to us with a good rep for kicking? But was the polar opposite to VDS in terms of flappability (see, I made up a word too!)
I think the fact that he's not hitting targets stretching over the half line isn't that big of a deal for a 21 year old. I mean to be fair, VDS was doing this in his prime and I'm not sure if any of us followed him at De Gea's age and saw his distribution then. It's definitely something that can be worked on and I dont think it would take him that long to iron out.
Plus, we have the likes of Rooney and Hernandez vying for some of those balls. Chances are due to their height that they're going to lose out to a fair few of those passes. I think that's something that should be taken into account as well.
(This part is in reply to Sir A1ex's posts)
No offense to Sir A1ex, but it really does seem like a minor gripe. Of all the things to improve on, if our Spanish cat has long range passes as one of the main things that needs improvement, I dont think I'd be too worried. It doesn't really diminish how good his distribution is either. The passes that we've seen from him, already show his ability to help us keep possession.
I think it's even more of a minor gripe considering that most keepers' kicking in this league aren't that great. They sure know how to boot it up the field. Although, it looks more hopeful rather than trying to pick out a teammate. Even though De Gea doesn't always hit his target, I'm more comforted at the fact that he kicks the ball with the purpose of attempting to find a teammate. Granted, it doesn't happen all the time but I dont see why those stats that you've posted above can't be improved upon.
I think you're being a bit harsh on him if you're dissecting every single long pass/clearance he makes. It doesn't necessarily mean his kicking is bad. I think it's something he's working on and in that case, there's bound to be some consistency. Really it comes down to this. He's exceptional with his distribution within our own half but inconsistent and at best average when it comes to the opposition half. Is that fair enough?
Plus, we have the likes of Rooney and Hernandez vying for some of those balls. Chances are due to their height that they're going to lose out to a fair few of those passes. I think that's something that should be taken into account as well.
(This part is in reply to Sir A1ex's posts)
No offense to Sir A1ex, but it really does seem like a minor gripe. Of all the things to improve on, if our Spanish cat has long range passes as one of the main things that needs improvement, I dont think I'd be too worried. It doesn't really diminish how good his distribution is either. The passes that we've seen from him, already show his ability to help us keep possession.
I think it's even more of a minor gripe considering that most keepers' kicking in this league aren't that great. They sure know how to boot it up the field. Although, it looks more hopeful rather than trying to pick out a teammate. Even though De Gea doesn't always hit his target, I'm more comforted at the fact that he kicks the ball with the purpose of attempting to find a teammate. Granted, it doesn't happen all the time but I dont see why those stats that you've posted above can't be improved upon.
I think you're being a bit harsh on him if you're dissecting every single long pass/clearance he makes. It doesn't necessarily mean his kicking is bad. I think it's something he's working on and in that case, there's bound to be some consistency. Really it comes down to this. He's exceptional with his distribution within our own half but inconsistent and at best average when it comes to the opposition half. Is that fair enough?
Do not know what is the hype about Reina. So far seen him play he has made a mistake every game I've watch him play. Happen again yesterday night.
Chalkboards don't tell the whole story. When your kicking over the half way line, most of the time you have less targets to aim for and more defenders to avoid.
It's in the 'urban dictionary' so I'm taking it. Worst part is I can't think of the right word to use...
He was great with the ball on the floor and could get it in the general direction with his weaker foot better than anyone I've seen, but in terms of picking out a man I think he was a bit more hit and miss than De Gea and just didn't have the same ability for a pinpoint pass (over and over again). Maybe Reina and De Gea's kicking just look fancier.
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