Tuesday 4 February 2014

Keeper problem?

Experienced sports journalist Kevin Nolan provides a withering assessment of new Charlton keeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien here: Thuram-Ulien

I haven't seen him play yet, but listening to the commentary from Wigan, I was concerned by his reported tendency to punch out the ball rather than catch it. Sometimes punching out is the only or best option, but he did it rather too often. Someone who was at the match whose judgment I would trust also expressed concerns.

I thought that Ben Alnwick was doing well and his departure bothered me. I have had mixed feelings about Ben Hamer: he is often too hesitant and doesn't command his area enough. However, he may be better than the new recruit. How serious his injury is, I don't know.

There is often a rush to judgment in creating scapegoat players, but there are good grounds for at least some concern.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I work in Liverpool and two colleagues are Wigan season ticket holders. They said that our keeper provided them with royal entertainment (as they waited for goals) and much laughter at his child-like, theatrical, comic keeping style. Hurry back Hamer - all will be forgiven. Why was Alnwick so speedily 'dumped' anyway ?

Wyn Grant said...

What I have heard, although I cannot verify it, is that the owner didn't rate Alnwick and wanted rid. We can't justify having three senior goalkeepers and Orient needed a keeper. They wouldn't have taken an injured Hamer.

Anonymous said...

It seems rather more likely that Ronald wanted his goalkeeper to play. Alnwick got wind of it and left. Hamer will end up as No 2 keeper. Unless Charlie Carolli (Thuram) cocks up too frequently.
If Powell picks Hamer on Saturday (if fit) There could be some 'disagreement' with the owner.

Daggs

Anonymous said...

Make that Roland..........not Ronald doh! I must have been thinking of the McDonalds clown................

Anonymous said...

He is the new Bruce Groebbeler! Have some faith and resist conspiracy theories.

Sciurus Carolinensis Nemesis said...

On the evidence of 2 games our newest keeper is catastrophically bad - he has been at least partly responsible for 3 goals conceded, his performance of even the most mundane 'keeping tasks marks him out as park standard with a terrible case of nerves
There is no mention of any fee for Ben Alnwick and he wasn't on even average championship goalie money so shifting him to Orient defies sense in any form. If or when Hamer returns to proper fitness we'll find out who's picking the team but I'm not alone in doubting that Sir Chris has the final say.
Dark days

Anonymous said...

Alnwick didn't want too leave charlton spot on staff gaffa and top goalkeeping coach but he was told he was not going to be playing and no new deal so he so was pushed out the door by Roland who never seen him play . Thuram must play so Roland can sell him good luck charlton fans

Anonymous said...

Alnwick didn't want too leave charlton spot on staff gaffa and top goalkeeping coach but he was told he was not going to be playing and no new deal so he so was pushed out the door by Roland who never seen him play . Thuram must play so Roland can sell him good luck charlton fans