Its not only the saves though, he looked good catching everything in the box and punching them when needed.
1
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 43
- Clean sheets
- 13
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 0
What can you say anymore? Aul Dave in nets. Does the business, as feckin usual. Arsenal can't finish their dinner but still, Dave stood up and dominated most (if not all) of the danger scenarios.
Still thought he could have saved Giroud's smash when I saw the replay. Probably zoned out at that late stage.
Still thought he could have saved Giroud's smash when I saw the replay. Probably zoned out at that late stage.
His set pieces were pretty off yesterday, it even could have costed us a goal if he wasn't that good on the line. Overall great goalkeeping, definitely hold us in the game. Would be pretty bad to see him go to Real or something after we polished him into a worldclass gk.
I think he's a better keeper than Neuer now in current form, only thing that wins the race in total for Neuer is he's a decent footballer too.
Right now it's laughable for me that some foreign fans still think he is nothing special. Neuer is better of course and Courtois is on his level too, but that's it. Other keepers are far away from beeing better than Dave.
Leno is good, nothing more. Same for Bravo. Ter Stegen made this season the step Dave already made 4 years ago (and he is only 1,5 years younger), he isn't Barca's number 1 yet and we still have to wait if he can handle the pressure in a big club. His few games for Germany weren't brilliant either, I can see him easily struggle in his first season. Right now he is just a big talent like Dave was at Atletico. Buffon is good, but has declined, nobody can deny that, he is one of the best ever because he was so brilliant in the past and in his career, he is still a good keeper, but not as good anymore. Just because he was great in the past doesn't mean he is better than DDG right now or would someone mention the current Iker Casilias, who should also be considered as one of the best ever GK.
And yeah that's it. Cech is good, but right now he doesn't play, nobody knows how good he is right now. Handanovic is probably the one which I could understand the most (at least more than the other names mentioned), he is a great keeper and way too good for Inter. But De Gea in Top3 is really not a United fantasy and I am happy that most of the foreign fans can see it now too.
Leno is good, nothing more. Same for Bravo. Ter Stegen made this season the step Dave already made 4 years ago (and he is only 1,5 years younger), he isn't Barca's number 1 yet and we still have to wait if he can handle the pressure in a big club. His few games for Germany weren't brilliant either, I can see him easily struggle in his first season. Right now he is just a big talent like Dave was at Atletico. Buffon is good, but has declined, nobody can deny that, he is one of the best ever because he was so brilliant in the past and in his career, he is still a good keeper, but not as good anymore. Just because he was great in the past doesn't mean he is better than DDG right now or would someone mention the current Iker Casilias, who should also be considered as one of the best ever GK.
And yeah that's it. Cech is good, but right now he doesn't play, nobody knows how good he is right now. Handanovic is probably the one which I could understand the most (at least more than the other names mentioned), he is a great keeper and way too good for Inter. But De Gea in Top3 is really not a United fantasy and I am happy that most of the foreign fans can see it now too.
Yeah, the difference at the moment is his kicking, which used to be spot on with De Gea. Oddly at times since Moyes took over it's been inconsistent. Definitely one of the top 3 around since he really stepped it up around January 2012, but there isn't much between him, Neuer and Courtois. Don't think it's as claer cut of Neuer being so far ahead as many seem to think.
Neuer was good for Schalke, but not really special (you could see that something special is there, but had to come out), he made quite often a silly mistake. Now obviously he is a TOP goalkeeper.
Now, to say that de Gea didn't really help this team during this and last season is "stupid" (I am not saying that the poster is stupid, just the quote). Our problem last season was the attack, as we didn't score, plus a horrible defense where we never had a constant pairing. But he didn't make mistakes which have cost us points or so and he saved what was possible to save.
This season he looked a bit different. No that he made any mistakes, but didn't look as motivated, but it all changed from the Everton game.
It is very hard to say who are the best goalkeepers as they play in different leagues with different styles. In Spain de Gea would look a lot better then in United, as the crossing isn't much of a point in Spain, so his biggest flaw would not be a problem.
Also, how much is Neuer under pressure in Germany? Not really. And if we are going to say that de Gea didn't really lift the team last season, so didn't Neuer. I didn't see him saving the game against Real, the first real opponent they had. Also against United, what did he save really (only the one on one situation with Welbeck, everything else we put on target from a chance we scored). They won the league because they are the most superior team, they would win it with their second goalkeeper. Don't get me wrong, he is good, but he is not the one who is taking Bayern a level above others, which some people ask of de Gea.
Ter Stegen can't even be in this category until he starts playing regularly on the highest level.
But I don't think that is really important to be TOP 1, or TOP 5, it's still class and good for every team.
And yes, de Gea has to improve some things.
Now, to say that de Gea didn't really help this team during this and last season is "stupid" (I am not saying that the poster is stupid, just the quote). Our problem last season was the attack, as we didn't score, plus a horrible defense where we never had a constant pairing. But he didn't make mistakes which have cost us points or so and he saved what was possible to save.
This season he looked a bit different. No that he made any mistakes, but didn't look as motivated, but it all changed from the Everton game.
It is very hard to say who are the best goalkeepers as they play in different leagues with different styles. In Spain de Gea would look a lot better then in United, as the crossing isn't much of a point in Spain, so his biggest flaw would not be a problem.
Also, how much is Neuer under pressure in Germany? Not really. And if we are going to say that de Gea didn't really lift the team last season, so didn't Neuer. I didn't see him saving the game against Real, the first real opponent they had. Also against United, what did he save really (only the one on one situation with Welbeck, everything else we put on target from a chance we scored). They won the league because they are the most superior team, they would win it with their second goalkeeper. Don't get me wrong, he is good, but he is not the one who is taking Bayern a level above others, which some people ask of de Gea.
Ter Stegen can't even be in this category until he starts playing regularly on the highest level.
But I don't think that is really important to be TOP 1, or TOP 5, it's still class and good for every team.
And yes, de Gea has to improve some things.
This is funny, I remember praising de Gea for his kicking, what happened to him?
Not much, few terrible passes from your defenders and no one to pass to, 1+1=2
Yeah, used to be one of his strengths but now seems to be a weakness. Probably didn't focus much on his kicking and just general playing with the ball at his feet while Moyes was here.
Hopefully his contract will be sorted in the next month or so, getting a bit nervous now.
He didn't have a good time during the Arsenal game given how high up they were pressing us, especially from Sanchez. I think his generally poor kicking this season is more because of the uncertainty in front of him though. Even from quite a few goal kicks, he's been poor. DDG looks calm and collected reacting to attacks, but who's to say he isn't on the edge mentally. The team has had serious confidence issue from last season til now. He's still a considerably young keeper and he's bound to be affected.
I don't think it's fair to trivialise his performance by saying most of the shots were straight at him. It takes away from the fact that his body positioning was excellent in every one of those saves and it's something that he showed major improvement on last season.
Think I was also wrong on the back passes from our defenders to De Gea. Looks like it's most likely down De Gea's technique after watching this comp:
Think I was also wrong on the back passes from our defenders to De Gea. Looks like it's most likely down De Gea's technique after watching this comp:
I would say it's always been a weakness. Brilliant kicking the ball out of hand and he's usually fairly accurate off the ground but has been scuffing the odd clearance since he joined United. An obvious example being a CL goal conceded against Basle when he passed it straight to the opposition winger in his debut season.
Good point. At times even his kicking from the ground is fine, it's just he isn't very consistent with it. You could say it's kind of like Rooney's passing, it's not bad, it's not his best aspect, but just inconsistent. One game perfectly fine, the next game a bit dodgy. Prone to the odd clearance like the one yesterday that led to their chance.
He's definitely more inconsistent this season though. I put that down being told to keep the ball on the deck as much as possible. This means that when he does go long it's only after spending a second or two ruling out every other options so can end up a little rushed.
It's something VDS was amazing at, rarely forced into camera saves because of his fantastic positioning and anticipation. DDG is developing that now too.
Agreed. There are quite a few I can visualise, but can't remember which games specifically. He seems to scuff a couple of back passes every game.
His 'under no pressure/lots of time' kicking to the full backs is pretty good. But I wouldn't say it's remarkable, or much better than most other 'keepers around.
Yep. I also think the change of systems and players hasn't helped. Blind has been a good option for De Gea a lot this season, or our wingers when we've played them.. It mustn't help having automatic options to kick to one game and then have that same space void the next.
definitely with you on this one.
If he does go then he surely has to set the world record for a keeper, much as I would hate to lose him if it could be the carrot to get Bale then it would be easier to take, but would rather keep DDG without him we'd be in a terrible state right now.
Can we sign him to a 10 year contract? I don't want him going anywhere near Florentino Perez.
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There is nothing in Spain today, or yesterday, about De Gea rejecting a renewal... only older stuff from last raft of gossip.
Why did they even write an article about that if they acknowledge at the same time that said reports in Spain don't actually exist?!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-Uniteds-most-important-player-right-now.html
Gary Neville with long overdue praise
Gary Neville with long overdue praise
Apart from being the greatest keeper ever with the best beard I think he was lacking from his game aerial ability and better positioning but he seems to have really, really improved at those two points which only means that's he's working really hard in training to improve, even his handling had improved, some of the catches he makes from shots are hilarious.. glue gloves! We've an absolute gem on our hands and I've been saying it since day one.
I know we can't legally give 10 year contracts but I doubt ANY United fan would have a problem with it if we offered him one tomorrow.
I know we can't legally give 10 year contracts but I doubt ANY United fan would have a problem with it if we offered him one tomorrow.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-Uniteds-most-important-player-right-now.html
Gary Neville with long overdue praise
I've never seen an article about a player mention said player so little.
I like that he's writing about De Gea, but he is not emphatic enough. To be fair, if I wrote the article, it would be a 300 page epic detailing my love for big Dave.
I just looked and it seems that it's possible, only if the national laws aren't against it.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-Uniteds-most-important-player-right-now.html
Gary Neville with long overdue praise
What's with his love affair with Courtois? Player of the year?
That article barely talks about De Gea!
I know!
Because he's been absolutely fantastic all season and the best goalkeeper in the league?What's with his love affair with Courtois? Player of the year?
De Gea has had a much more unstable defence in front of him and has been tested a hell of a lot more than Courtois, Dave is just shading it for the better goalkeeper right now.
I'd say the key areas to improve for him now is being braver about when to come out - both to claim crosses and sweep up (doesn't have to go to Lloris levels). While he's becoming more authoritative when he does decide to come and claim a cross, I feel that there are occasions when he could come out but chooses not to. But for his age he's progressing nicely.
Now sign a new goddamn contract.
I'm with TUI on this one. While Courtois has looked good and you could argue is a better keeper than De Gea(think it's so close that it's just a matter of opinion), I think De Gea has probably bailed us out a lot more than Courtois has Chelsea this season.
In the league this season we've had 14 centre back combinations, Chelsea have had one - that has to help. (feel free to correct me on figures, but I'm pretty sure that's what I read the other day)
I don't get the love Courtois is getting. He's a fantastic keeper, but his performances this season haven't been particularly great. His positioning and dominance in the air have been great, but I haven't watched a single game this season where I could say 'he's won that for Chelsea' in the same way I've said it for de Gea. The majority of the praise has been fuelled by the media. De Gea is easily no. 2 after Neuer imo, with Courtois, Handanovic, and Cech just behind. I can't take suggestions of ter Stegen, Leno, and Bravo seriously. No way are they on that level yet.
Also, people are underrating de Gea's performance against Arsenal. His positioning and anticipation for Wilshere's shot and the one where he closed down the Arsenal attacker were brilliant pieces of goalkeeping. He also did well commanding his area (which is no longer a weakness for him imo and hasn't been since early last season). His kicking was poor, but it always has been. This idea that he was great at kicking is an illusion. Commentators were talking about it when he first came, which is probably the reason people believe it. He can get great power in his kicks, but the accuracy has always been poor. Ultimately, it's not that big of a deal, and I'd rather he be poor at that than any other gk aspect. Ideally, it'd be best if he had no weaknesses of course.
Also, people are underrating de Gea's performance against Arsenal. His positioning and anticipation for Wilshere's shot and the one where he closed down the Arsenal attacker were brilliant pieces of goalkeeping. He also did well commanding his area (which is no longer a weakness for him imo and hasn't been since early last season). His kicking was poor, but it always has been. This idea that he was great at kicking is an illusion. Commentators were talking about it when he first came, which is probably the reason people believe it. He can get great power in his kicks, but the accuracy has always been poor. Ultimately, it's not that big of a deal, and I'd rather he be poor at that than any other gk aspect. Ideally, it'd be best if he had no weaknesses of course.
Like @The United Irishman said De Gea has been better. Courtois has been good but I can't even remember any amazing saves he has made. He's been solid but fantastic? Not in a million years. He hasn't been tested enough yet. Even I would look good behind that defence.
I agree with the general consensus that Courtois hasn't really deserved as much as praise he's getting for his performances. I mean he's had nothing to do so how could he be player of the season? Fair enough, there's an argument there that he's probably a better keeper than Dave but his season up till now has been solid but not as good as Dave. Maybe that's down to the respective defences in front of them but that's how it's played out so far.
Tbh, considering how good their defence is, the amount of goals they've conceded has been pretty poor. If you were basing it on performances this season, without any prior knowledge of the players or media influence, I'm pretty sure everyone would say de Gea has been the better performer. I'm not criticising Courtois, but those acting like he's been so amazing are idealising his season so far.