Petr Cech

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Be named best keeper in Spain and one of the best keepers in the world = just has to show up.

That's a fair position to take. Others might take the position that we should go with the guy who is better and probably has more years at the top.

Well, then that means going with Cech, doesn't it?

Courtois is a fabulous goalkeeper, but Cech - equally as good, if not even better - has a decade more experience under his belt. We can go around and around forever with this argument. I don't really care about Courtois, he hasn't played a single minute for us. Cech's nearly played 500 games for us, so I think people are only being fair in saying they don't want him replaced yet. Cech's done nothing wrong to be farmed off.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Well, then that means going with Cech, doesn't it?

Courtois is a fabulous goalkeeper, but Cech - equally as good, if not even better - has a decade more experience under his belt. We can go around and around forever with this argument. I don't really care about Courtois, he hasn't played a single minute for us. Cech's nearly played 500 games for us, so I think people are only being fair in saying they don't want him replaced yet. Cech's done nothing wrong to be farmed off.

Cech does have more experience, but then he's 10 years older and has been at a top club playing behind fantastic defences for much of it.

if you compare them at the same age, then Courtois is undoubtably the better keeper. That's surely beyond dispute.

If you compare their recent form, only one of them has been dropped. Ask yourself an honest question - which goalkeeper is improving over the last 12-18 months?

We have two fantastic keepers who are very hard to separate on any measure except one - their age. Why on Earth would you not choose the younger one? Sentimentality is the only reason.

Oh, and as for experience the argument against Courtois was the he wasn't used to English football and that he'd struggle to deal with crosses at places like Stoke and West Brom. Well Cech struggled with crosses at both of those places. That should tell you exactly what the value of experience is.

[lucio 5,391]

in my mind there is no doubt who is better ... courtois. makes saves that cech simply couldnt due to inferior athleticism. cech is still one of the best but has cost us more points this season than normal.... west brom , stoke ect

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Cech does have more experience, but then he's 10 years older and has been at a top club playing behind fantastic defences for much of it.

if you compare them at the same age, then Courtois is undoubtably the better keeper. That's surely beyond dispute.

If you compare their recent form, only one of them has been dropped. Ask yourself an honest question - which goalkeeper is improving over the last 12-18 months?

We have two fantastic keepers who are very hard to separate on any measure except one - their age. Why on Earth would you not choose the younger one? Sentimentality is the only reason.

Oh, and as for experience the argument against Courtois was the he wasn't used to English football and that he'd struggle to deal with crosses at places like Stoke and West Brom. Well Cech struggled with crosses at both of those places. That should tell you exactly what the value of experience is.

The value of experience to a goalkeeper is far more than dealing with crosses against sides that specialise in wing play and set piece deliveries... Courtois struggles with crosses full stop, it's an area where Cech undoubtedly has the edge.

[lucio 5,391]

The value of experience to a goalkeeper is far more than dealing with crosses against sides that specialise in wing play and set piece deliveries... Courtois struggles with crosses full stop, it's an area where Cech undoubtedly has the edge.

his cross dealing ability seems to be on the decline though. not as confident with him coming out to gather as i used to be.

also courtois has only failed to deal with one cross in la liga this season

http://www.squawka.com/players/thibaut-courtois#avg.-claim-success#atl%C3%A9tico-de-madrid-%28current%29#spanish-la-liga#23#season-2013/2014#69#all-matches#1-24#by-match

not sure, he comes out for many though

[BlueLyon 9,359]

As goes for who was guilty for that Anichiebes goal...well in first place, we should be 3 goals up already but we fucked up and they got a deserved draw. You cant hold on 1:0 lead and hope not to concede. Best teams in the world concede goals, but they also score shitload of them. We didnt and got punished for that.

[Term-X 7,891]

One save in particular today was World Class.

*That deflected shot from Osman I believe.*

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Two world class saves to keep us in the game. The dipping shot from Osman in the first half and then the deflected shot from Osman again in the second half. Deserves a lot of credit for today's result.

[kellzfresh 7,226]

Showed us today why we shouldn't just wake up one summer and say:

"you've been great for 10 odd years or so, but there's a new kid in the block, so you can fuck off"

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Shit keeper, past his best

[Stingray 9,441]

Great game, Petr!

[The only place to be 11,313]

Courtois makes one save. Forum goes crazy.

Cech dependable as ever. No one cares.

There you go...Cech makes a couple of good saves and everyone goes nuts. Told you it happens.

Anyway, no-one is saying he's shit. In fact he's very good. It's just that we have another keeper who is just as good and 10 years younger.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

http://vimeo.com/86171396

[The only place to be 11,313]

Is it me or is he looking a bit iffy on crosses. Seems to come and then stop - did it away to Stoke, away to West Brom and then tonight.

Start clattering the people in the way, get a fist on it or just don't come out.

[YouNameIt 1,511]

Is it me or is he looking a bit iffy on crosses. Seems to come and then stop - did it away to Stoke, away to West Brom and then tonight.

Start clattering the people in the way, get a fist on it or just don't come out.

Think Terry was the biggest factor.

[Jase 43,479]

Think Terry was the biggest factor.

Both at fault IMO. Terry should be doing his job, mark Chedjou and don't give anything away while Cech should be more assertive/commanding in those situations. As TOPTB mentioned above, this was quite similar to the Crouch goal we conceded at Stoke. Utterly poor from both players.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Terry should be dealing with it, but I think a keeper should command the six yard box. Anything in there should be his to claim. Disappointing goal defensively all round (it was a soft one to concede in the first instance...).

[BloodIsBlue 291]

Who had a better stop today Cech on Telles or Casillas on Draxler? You be the judge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQwl7cMv-64