The Steffen conundrum

parmoboy said:
Steffen has started every game since Carrick took over and look at our record.
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This board has long since had a general blindspot on the importance of goalkeeping. Just because we are winning does not mean the team doesn’t have issues that clearly need improving on, starting with the keeper. Yes he makes occasional saves, sometimes makes a match winning save, but so did Pears, Lumley, Jones, Turnbull et al.

I remember posters often sticking up for Jones, Pears, even Lumley, we won some games despite them too. All players make mistakes, but the frequency and variety of gaffs with Steffen is worrying. I’d be amazed if he ever plays another PL game at City despite having a contract to 2025. Steffen is one of the poorest keepers in this league for me, yesterdays goal was a joke. We are stuck with him, but whatever happens this season we need a new goalkeeper next season, ideally someone who can actually command his area as well as find a teammates feet from time to time.

Another way of looking at things is thank goodness we have the players capable of covering for his many failings, perhaps we are doing well despite his clear and obvious flaws. He is a poor keeper with the ball at his feet, dreadful on crosses, his positional sense at times fills me with dread, the fact that he is a regular has to be either contractual or the standard of the others must be shocking. The results are great, way beyond my expectations and the group deserve plaudits, fans get carried away with outcomes though, but they also mask flaws that need improvement. As a fan I see every player as being potentially upgradeable, but the first position in this team I’d look to upgrade is the goalkeeper, the sad fact is we have been striving to do that year on year since Schwarzers days, only Dimi and Randolph have proven consistently capable for me, their gaffs existed like all players, but the frequency of them was much lower.
 
coluka said:
He is a poor keeper with the ball at his feet, dreadful on crosses, his positional sense at times fills me with dread
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He’s mostly excellent with the ball at his feet, he’s playing as he’s been instructed to play.

He’s improved massively on crosses.

His positional sense is fantastic, just look at how many saves he makes just by getting his body in the way.

You’re talking nonsense.
 
coluka said:
This board has long since had a general blindspot on the importance of goalkeeping. Just because we are winning does not mean the team doesn’t have issues that clearly need improving on, starting with the keeper. Yes he makes occasional saves, sometimes makes a match winning save, but so did Pears, Lumley, Jones, Turnbull et al.

I remember posters often sticking up for Jones, Pears, even Lumley, we won some games despite them too. All players make mistakes, but the frequency and variety of gaffs with Steffen is worrying. I’d be amazed if he ever plays another PL game at City despite having a contract to 2025. Steffen is one of the poorest keepers in this league for me, yesterdays goal was a joke. We are stuck with him, but whatever happens this season we need a new goalkeeper next season, ideally someone who can actually command his area as well as find a teammates feet from time to time.

Another way of looking at things is thank goodness we have the players capable of covering for his many failings, perhaps we are doing well despite his clear and obvious flaws. He is a poor keeper with the ball at his feet, dreadful on crosses, his positional sense at times fills me with dread, the fact that he is a regular has to be either contractual or the standard of the others must be shocking. The results are great, way beyond my expectations and the group deserve plaudits, fans get carried away with outcomes though, but they also mask flaws that need improvement. As a fan I see every player as being potentially upgradeable, but the first position in this team I’d look to upgrade is the goalkeeper, the sad fact is we have been striving to do that year on year since Schwarzers days, only Dimi and Randolph have proven consistently capable for me, their gaffs existed like all players, but the frequency of them was much lower.
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Coluka, I couldn't disagree more mate. We're all entitled to our opinions, of course. Hope you and yours are well.
 
coluka said:
This board has long since had a general blindspot on the importance of goalkeeping. Just because we are winning does not mean the team doesn’t have issues that clearly need improving on, starting with the keeper. Yes he makes occasional saves, sometimes makes a match winning save, but so did Pears, Lumley, Jones, Turnbull et al.

I remember posters often sticking up for Jones, Pears, even Lumley, we won some games despite them too. All players make mistakes, but the frequency and variety of gaffs with Steffen is worrying. I’d be amazed if he ever plays another PL game at City despite having a contract to 2025. Steffen is one of the poorest keepers in this league for me, yesterdays goal was a joke. We are stuck with him, but whatever happens this season we need a new goalkeeper next season, ideally someone who can actually command his area as well as find a teammates feet from time to time.

Another way of looking at things is thank goodness we have the players capable of covering for his many failings, perhaps we are doing well despite his clear and obvious flaws. He is a poor keeper with the ball at his feet, dreadful on crosses, his positional sense at times fills me with dread, the fact that he is a regular has to be either contractual or the standard of the others must be shocking. The results are great, way beyond my expectations and the group deserve plaudits, fans get carried away with outcomes though, but they also mask flaws that need improvement. As a fan I see every player as being potentially upgradeable, but the first position in this team I’d look to upgrade is the goalkeeper, the sad fact is we have been striving to do that year on year since Schwarzers days, only Dimi and Randolph have proven consistently capable for me, their gaffs existed like all players, but the frequency of them was much lower.
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Dreadful with the ball at his feet 😂😂😂
 
I am one of those who has just never been able to trust Steffen since we had him.
I stand by my comment earlier this week when I said that I dont think he will ever be a first team prem keeper for anybody.
He makes far too many mistakes.
 
coluka said:
He is a poor keeper with the ball at his feet, dreadful on crosses, his positional sense at times fills me with dread, the fact that he is a regular has to be either contractual or the standard of the others must be shocking.
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I mean where to start with that lot.

1. He is quite obviously pretty decent with the ball at his feet certainly better than average for a keeper, his distribution is certainly above average.

2. Crosses, not dreadful, arguably could improve further but has improved since his early season performances where he was clearly unused to the physicality of this division. He is certainly more fouled in this division than would be allowed in the PL but he has learned to deal with crosses

3. Positional sense, I don't know what you are seeing but I can't think of a single time beyond yesterday where he has been caught out of position. And the free kick yesterday was freakishly accurate and even so he was very close to getting his and to it.

4. Oh dear not the "contractual" nonsense like we used to hear about with the Schwartzer vs Crossley debate. FFS.
 
It would be wrong to say he hasn't attributes and he did play very well at Sheff Utd, but I agree with Coluka's sentiment at least.

His concentration is the biggest issue for me.

I fully understand Carrick wants us to play out and he sees the goalkeeper as very often the start of this approach. He will therefore put players under pressure sometimes, as they do him.
I also accept he can strike the ball well.
I have seen him recently cope better physically and be more assertive in the air.

But I think he is slow to react and move his feet, has been beaten too often at his near post and he makes some ridiculous decisions passing the ball out.
The goal yesterday was brilliant quick thinking by Chair and excellent technique, but he can only score it because the goalkeeper is complacent and asleep.

I wouldn't want to pay a big fee for him, nor pay PL wages for him.
 
sherlock1969 said:
He’s mostly excellent with the ball at his feet, he’s playing as he’s been instructed to play.

He’s improved massively on crosses.

His positional sense is fantastic, just look at how many saves he makes just by getting his body in the way.

You’re talking nonsense.
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Some football fans really don’t understand the game. That post you replied too was a joke and clearly on a wind up
 
indeedido said:
Give over. Coluka understands the game very well. He just doesn't agree with you on this subject. Surely that is fine?

There is a weird willingness to turn a blind eye to Steffen's mistakes, some of which are horrendous.
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To say he is poor with his feet is just ridiculous and probably one of the most stupid things I’ve read on the forum. Haven’t seen him post in ages either, and first thing he comes on to do is whinge. Strange
 
Diego said:
To say he is poor with his feet is just ridiculous and probably one of the most stupid things I’ve read on the forum. Haven’t seen him post in ages either, and first thing he comes on to do is whinge. Strange
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He IS often poor with his feet - he gives the ball away a hell of a lot.
He can also play some great, intelligent balls.
He puts us on the front AND creates acute danger within minutes every match.

Coluka's expertise is with goalkeeping.

He doesn't post so much these days because he has a lot going on that is frankly much more important than football.
I take it that if Col does post something, it is because he really is wanting to engage on the subject and feels passionately about it.
 
indeedido said:
There is a weird willingness to turn a blind eye to Steffen's mistakes, some of which are horrendous.
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I'd say any keeper we play, with the way we play out from the back will make horrendous mistakes. It's not a 100% thing or an exact infallible science, it is bound to happen.

As has been posted Allison and Emerson both still get done caught out multiple times a season.

Coluka decided he was a śhíté keeper in mid August, he's not changed his mind, which is fine.

The fact is he isn't costing us games. We have gone from 21st, to knocking on the door of 2nd and automatic promotion, with Steffen as an integral part of the squad. He is instrumental in how our manager wants us to play out from the back but that doesn't matter to some posters, or plenty of doyles screaming 'get rid' it seems.

Roberts was utterly horrendous against Barnsley and seemed to have a rick in him a few times in his limited league appearances, he wouldn't do any better.

Is Steffen worth £10 million and £80k a week to us? Absolutely not.

Is he the best quality keeper we could get to play out from the back as a sweeper-keeper, a good shot stopper and a good fit with the squad? Pretty much absolutely yes.

I just don't see how he gets pelters on here pretty much every week, when he is playing to instructions from walks on water Super Michael Carrick.

He was blamed for both goals against Sunderland and getting Fry red carded by some on here, it's mental.
 
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Caesium137 said:
I'd say any keeper we play, with the way we play out from the back will make horrendous mistakes. It's not a 100% thing or an exact infallible science, it is bound to happen.

As has been posted Allison and Emerson both still get done caught out multiple times a season.

Coluka decided he was a śhíté keeper in mid August, he's not changed his mind, which is fine.

The fact is he isn't costing us games. We have gone from 21st, to knocking on the door of 2nd and automatic promotion, with Steffen as an integral part of the squad. He is instrumental in how our manager wants us to play out from the back but that doesn't matter to some posters, or plenty of doyles screaming 'get rid' it seems.

Roberts was utterly horrendous against Barnsley and seemed to have a rick in him a few times in his limited league appearances, he would to do any better.

Is Steffen worth £10 million and £80k a week to us? Absolutely not.

Is he the best quality keeper we could get to play out from the back as a sweeper-keeper, a good shot stopper and a good fit with the squad? Pretty much absolutely yes.

I just don't see how he gets pelters on here pretty much every week, when he is playing to instructions from walks on water Super Michael Carrick.

He was blamed for both goals against Sunderland and getting Fry red carded by some on here, it's mental.
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Here here 👏
 
indeedido said:
He IS often poor with his feet - he gives the ball away a hell of a lot.
He can also play some great, intelligent balls.
He puts us on the front AND creates acute danger within minutes every match.
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He is rarely "poor with his feet" (though perhaps you should define what you mean by that) to me he seems to get the ball under control easily and naturally, he rarely looks hurried with the ball at his feet. I know some people get a little agitated by this, bless 'em.

I suppose if by "a hell of a lot" you mean about once a game he might misplace a pass then we have agreement. But I would suspect that his pass completion statistics are the equal of any outfield player?

I don't recall him "creating acute danger" yesterday at all, so that's wrong.
 
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