Since many people are talking about De Gea at the moment, I thought I would give my opinion.
De Gea is an excellent shot stopper and his distribution is already second to only Reina in the league. However his handling is suspect, especially in relation to dealing with crosses. I support him, and I fully believe he will come good, but the goal at the weekend was definitely his fault. He made almost no effort to jump and punch the ball away. He appears too timid.
The greatest problem of all, however, is communication, which is such an underrated part of goalkeeping. He is young and doesn't command confident English yet; these factors make it hard for him to command and work well with the centre backs ahead of him. It doesn't help that the centre backs are constantly changing. Once he matures and learns fluent English, whilst ingratiating properly with the squad, he will be outstanding.
Casillas himself has spoken of how he will be Spain's number 1, compliments he has never made of Reina or Valdes despite their quality. He is worth waiting for lads.
View on De Gea
posted on 3/1/12
Guys, why all this bashing of each other?
I agree with Rock Steady Crew that we shouldn't assume any player Fergie buys has great potential. I said from day 1 that Tosic and Bebe were duds, and i got a backlash. But i knew i was right, because from seeing those players play it was soon apparent they weren't right for us.
Whilst De Gea has shown some good flashes, this is hardly a ringing endorsement for someone we paid 18 million for. That pricetag means he should be showing more IMO.
posted on 3/1/12
At the moment, I think Lindegaard should be number 1. It's a difficult situation to be in because I don't think that GK is a position that you should be tinkering with, but I don't want De Gea to stagnate in the reserves.
Lindegaard has come up with some top saves and looks comfortable dealing with crosses, he speaks good English and his communication and command of his defence look far superior to De Gea's at the moment. On top of that, I feel it would be harsh to drop a man who has kept 5 or 6 clean sheets in a row.
When we signed De Gea, I thought it was risky... signing a player based on potential always is. I think he could become the best keeper in the world, alternatively he could lose his place to Lindegaard permanently.
I will obviously still support De Gea, and I hope he becomes a class act for the club, but it is impossible to overlook the errors that he has made. He needs to adapt to the physical side of the game, and the Premier League has a steep learning curve. It may be possible to put these mistakes down to inexperience and difficulty adapting to the English game, but these excuses have a limited shelf life.
posted on 3/1/12
It's always easy to have a scapegoat and blame him for everything. De Gea is in his first season in a new club in a very pyhsical league. Not something he's used to and has made mistakes but the talent is there for all to see.
Dropping him now will be counterproductive and have an adverse effect. The problem I believe he has is a lack of confidence when dealing with crosses. It also doesn't help that he plays with a different back 4 every game.
Keepers make mistakes, even VDS and the great dane. The goal blackburn scored wasn't entirely his fault. Nome of our defenders attacked the ball when it was in the air.
He's been kept busy this season and has the best shot to save ratio in the league and will only get better.
People should ask themselves one question, if Lindegaard is so superior to him, why did fergie sign him?
Lindegaard looks a good keeper but I won't be surprised if the people calling for his inclusion slate him when he makes mistakes and ask for him to be dropped for De Gea later.
Patience is required with young players. Give the lad a chance, he's played in all the big games with the top 6 for us this season in the league and has lost only once.
Cheers
posted on 3/1/12
Being a goalkeeper myself, I think i'll add my 2p's worth...
The position is definately a confidence position and when you make a mistake you are more than likely gonna pay for it. Trust me, DeGea will know he messed up but the players around him will spur him on and support him. And that's what he needs, our support too.
There are a couple of aspects to his game he needs to improve though, but not many. He needs to bulk up, he needs to come for crosses with confidence, he needs to communicate and command his box more and... well, that's it!
Give the guy a break, he's in a foreign country, 20 years old and hasn't played with a proper back 4 that often.
For his age he is an exceptional keeper and will only get better. Just be patient...
Or are you the same people who didn't have any faith when Fergie signed Ronaldo?!
posted on 3/1/12
Or are you the same people who didn't have any faith when Fergie signed Ronaldo?!
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What are you talking about? Every single United player & fan wished SAF would buy Ronaldo when he tore our back line to shreads and since then he has done nothing but show that he had tallent to burn. De Gea is a keeper that has not filled me with any confidence.
If we could sell him for 18 mil and buy Hart, all of you De Gea lot would go for that deal! SAF has bought another Taibi but more expensive one.
Time, give him time you say... M. City, Liverpool and Tot won't give him or us that luxury.
posted on 3/1/12
If we could sell him for 18 mil and buy Hart...
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Hart was no different to DeGea 18 months ago! He was given a chance, and backed by the fans. Sand while not exactly a great keeper he has certainly benefited from the time and patience Man City put into him.
Seriously give the guy time!
posted on 3/1/12
Lets send all the other PL a memo whishing them not to shoot on target as we have a keeper that needs time.
posted on 3/1/12
Lindegaard is our future number 1. De Gea wont make it. Forgt about his price tag.
posted on 3/1/12
Using Rock Steady's logic a massive clear out is needed at the club. We have too many young players that need time and this is something that should be frowned at.
Therefore I suggest the following; get rid of Pogba,Keane, Morrision, Tunicliffe, Welbeck, Macheda, Jones (he is not as good as Vidic or Ferdinand and we cannot give him time), get rid of Evans, Fryers (he's not as good as Evra yet), Rafael and Fabio (not as good as Gary Neville), rid of Cleverley (he's not Scholes yet and we shouldn't give him time), Hernandez (not as good as van nistelrooy and we can't give him time)
Did I miss anyone?
posted on 3/1/12
manUtddaredevil
Using Rock Steady's logic a massive clear out is needed at the club. We have too many young players that need time and this is something that should be frowned at.
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Don't be so dramatic.
We're talking about one player - a very important player - as not many in our quad can do what he's supposed to be able to do. Obviously you'd rather let him take the position of a player i.e Lindegaard who's better equipped to play in the role De Gea's unable to take up - as yet!
Send him out on loan for a season or two alla - Hart at BCFC and let´s see how he looks then!
I haven't given up on him ever becoming a top keeper but his record for us as of yet has not been as good as the hype surrounding him!