I made the point on Squids article that Lloris has been a revelation since joining and that I had seen some stats on twitter that revealed just how much he's improved us defensively.
Yeah, we all love Brad and he's a pretty great number 2 but Lloris is a class ahead, regardless of age.
================= Lloris -------- Brad ====================
Games ------------------- 13 ------------ 10
Pass Completion ------ 50%----------- 53%
Successful Punches ---- 10-------------- 4
High Cross Catches -----14-------------- 6
Ground 50-50's won ---- 5-----------------0
Aerial 50-50's won -------6-----------------0
Interceptions -------------- 4-----------------0
Goals conceded ---------10---------------16
Clean Sheets ------------6-----------------0
Sorry for the poor layout!
Lloris vs. Friedel
posted on 29/1/13
Watching,
Oh was he? Thats that theory out the window then.
posted on 29/1/13
It's one thing coming out for corners, it's another coming out and flapping like a penguin thrown from a cliff.
Gomes was quality in the 2009/10 season but was back to his howling best the next season.
That Blackpool game had the most demoralising minute of the season - the penalty save, then conceding another penalty as a direct consequence of his flappy hands again from the subsequent corner.
Give me line-hugging Brad any day of the week. At least you know what you're getting, with Gomes it could you from sublime to ridiculous in seconds. I'm sure the CBs think the same too
posted on 29/1/13
HRH,
Gomes will always be known for his mistakes, but he has made no more blunders than say Al Habsi, who is considered quite a good keeper.
I remember in that 2-1 victory over Arsenal (ie. the Rose goal game) Gomes pulled off more worldies than i've witnessed from any keeper in a long, long, time.
The finger tip save to deny Judas a late equaliser is as good as you're going to get.
I'm not trying to say that i want him back between the sticks, just that i would rather a keeper do all his duties and make one mistake every 10 games, than a keeper who does 70% of his duties perfect, and doesn't bother with the rest, any day of the week.
Fortunately though, we have Lloris.
posted on 29/1/13
He makes more than 1 mistake every 10 games. Literally every shot, whether well hit or a puddly bouncer, had my heart in my mouth in 2010/11.
It was lovely last season to have a keeper that can save most shots and actually hold it most of the time. He's not perfect Friedel, but everyone knows their job with him instead of Gomes.
With Heurelho the CBs didn't know if they would have to head it themselves, he'd come and punch/collect, or get flattened while he flaps and misses it completely.
I wasn't keen on him after our game v PSV when he pulled off a number of class saves but looked an absolute plonker in doing so and injured his own players I think.
Great saves in that Woolwich game though - I was right behind them AND Rose's goal so saw all in their glory
posted on 29/1/13
HRH
He makes more than 1 mistake every 10 games. Literally every shot,
===================
It depends what you mean by a mistake. I'm referring to a mistake that lead to a goal. Otherwise, i could say that Brad made a mistake for every single corner or set-piece where he never came out to catch it - but that would be unfair.
posted on 29/1/13
HRH,
How have we even got a difference of opinion on this when we are the same person?
posted on 29/1/13
Easy - schizophrenic
posted on 29/1/13
You could say that's a mistake not coming, yeah, but the CBs (any other defending corners/set-pieces) know exactly what they have to do with Friedel (or a similar line-jockey such as Given) - its their responsibility to claim any thing in the air as he won't come. Not ideal, but no confusion, which gives stability.
Back to Lloris - he has been quality off his line and making saves at feet, absolutely top drawer. That is definitely the most pleasing part of his signing. I am not overly impressed by his general shot-stopping and commanding his box with crosses though...so far. I think there is definitely more to come
posted on 29/1/13
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 29/1/13
I don't think you need stats (ESPECIALLY not when no percentages are given) to see how a 'steady' and 'solid' keeper, whatever his limitations (i.e. Brad) gives a completely different confidence to the whole team, though mainly of course the defence.
Gomes' last season as a regular you could feel the fear in not just the whole team but the crowd every single time he was involved, even for a simple back pass that should have been his bread and butter.
Brad brought much-needed stability and confidence last season imo. Thought he was overall superb.
This season, he is too old and rusty to be back-up. It only accentuates his weaknesses when he's not involved for weeks at a time. I think he'll retire at the end of the season.
We need proper back up for Lloris for next season. How about that chap Bergovic, he looks alright?
Of course Gomes did a somewhat unique 'reverse-Spurs' by playing his best game against us before signing, rather than after he'd left
(Famous last words )