Thibaut Courtois

[Atholy 1,293]

Interesting discussion wether or not he's to blame for the 2nd goal...

Sure he put a step forward ... that made him have to go backwards again and influenced his balance.

On the other hand... perfect lobbed header, just underneath the crossbar. I cannot see many GK's save this one.

Something to keep in mind. The fact he did put that step forward...

Been doing this all game long... clearing every single dangerous cross that came into our box!

The fact that he does this is just very relieving. You don't want to think of the danger that could've come from all the other crosses if Tibo would stay on his line all the time!!

Just very unfortunate. I think we have to take this for granted... He clears 90% of dangerous crosses & sometimes he will make the wrong bet (by stepping in). If he get's this out of his game... I think he can easily become the best GK ever!

Dominating in the air, perfect reflex saves on his line and good shot stopping!!

The only thing I concern is why he almost always pushes the ball into the game again... instead of pushing it to the side/end line...!!

[Weckerz 3,781]

I don't even know wtf you guys are saying tbh, he wasn't in a bad position, as the pîcture above clearly shows... He realized he wouldn't get there and got back into the standard position.

Perfect header from Silva, no keeper would save this. Ridiculous.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'm still in doubt about this one. Yes, he rushes out a little bit and has to track back, but at the moment Silva heads the ball, he is almost in perfect position? No goalkeeper is standing exactly on the goalline at that moment?

Edit : his position :

Too aggressive for me. The FA teach you you should be approx 1.5 yards off your line. Just a stride too big for me

[iseah100 5,612]

Too aggressive for me. The FA teach you you should be approx 1.5 yards off your line. Just a stride too big for me

Don't think that extra stride would have made a difference. I see your point though.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Don't think that extra stride would have made a difference. I see your point though.

Probably not. I'm not trying to pick fault or lay the blame on him. I'm just saying he was (for once) a bit indecisive and that might have played a factor in him not being able to get back.

As the above poster's image shows, he's in a decent position, but his balance is well off and when you're out of your set position it is very difficult to make a backwards "arcing" save. That one stride could have made a difference, IMO. I'd go into the physiological reasoning for my point but it would be too long and complex for me to fit into a readable post! But essentially his backwards momentum limits the force he can generate in his arcing save.

EDIT - and I don't want people to pop up with the usual comment of "oooh, Alex the Petr Cech superfan slagging off Courtois, typical". A; I'm not slagging him off and B; I'm critical about all of our goalkeepers. Being a keeper coach means I am very harsh on things like this

Edited March 12, 2015 by Alex

[Special Juan 27,429]

Don't think that extra stride would have made a difference.

Are you being serious? When a keeper takes an extra stride that is a whole lot of back peddling to do to even get into a saveable position. That header from Silva was dipping, not only that but bare in mind balance plays a massive factor as well as positioning. It only takes for him to be slightly mis-positioned or get caught in between to concede a goal.....The margins are miniscule.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Are you being serious? When a keeper takes an extra stride that is a whole lot of back peddling to do to even get into a saveable position. That header from Silva was dipping, not only that but bare in mind balance plays a massive factor as well as positioning. It only takes for him to be slightly mis-positioned or get caught in between to concede a goal.....The margins are miniscule.

Agreed. I'm not taking anything away from Silva but a goalkeeper a stride closer to his line might have tipped it over.

Its all fine margins though. A goalkeeper a stride closer to his line doesn't come and claim all those crosses - my point is TBO's relative indecision in deciding to go, then stay, made the difference. He realised he wasn't going to get there which represents both good judgement in realising his error, but also bad judgement in mis-assessing the trajectory of the delivery.

Fine margins and I'm being very harsh, I know.

[bababoom 4,478]

Something similar happened in the first leg, i remember at the time thinking he took a bit of a gamble. He actually takes a few steps forward before he knows where the ball is going, it's risky, but nine times out of ten it works out for him.

[iseah100 5,612]

Probably not. I'm not trying to pick fault or lay the blame on him. I'm just saying he was (for once) a bit indecisive and that might have played a factor in him not being able to get back.

As the above poster's image shows, he's in a decent position, but his balance is well off and when you're out of your set position it is very difficult to make a backwards "arcing" save. That one stride could have made a difference, IMO. I'd go into the physiological reasoning for my point but it would be too long and complex for me to fit into a readable post! But essentially his backwards momentum limits the force he can generate in his arcing save.

EDIT - and I don't want people to pop up with the usual comment of "oooh, Alex the Petr Cech superfan slagging off Courtois, typical". A; I'm not slagging him off and B; I'm critical about all of our goalkeepers. Being a keeper coach means I am very harsh on things like this [emoji38]

oooh, Alex the Petr Cech superfan slagging off Courtois, typical[emoji23] [emoji23] kidding.

I see, but he had been claiming crosses all night, the one time his decision making is just slightly off. Oh well.

Are you being serious? When a keeper takes an extra stride that is a whole lot of back peddling to do to even get into a saveable position. That header from Silva was dipping, not only that but bare in mind balance plays a massive factor as well as positioning. It only takes for him to be slightly mis-positioned or get caught in between to concede a goal.....The margins are miniscule.

He realized almost immediately he wasn't going to get it, and recovered. You're speculating. We could do that all day.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

oooh, Alex the Petr Cech superfan slagging off Courtois, typical[emoji23] [emoji23] kidding.

I see, but he had been claiming crosses all night, the one time his decision making is just slightly off. Oh well.

Spot on. He was unlucky. Something for him to work on and learn from.

[Special Juan 27,429]

He realized almost immediately he wasn't going to get it, and recovered. You're speculating. We could do that all day.

His decision to start coming is what cost him, he was then out of position for the header even when he tries to move back, hence why it went in. I'm not new to this, I coach goalkeeping 3 days a week.

[Atholy 1,293]

A part from Tibo's position....

a little better defending would also be very welcome!!!

[iseah100 5,612]

His decision to start coming is what cost him, he was then out of position for the header even when he tries to move back, hence why it went in. I'm not new to this, I coach goalkeeping 3 days a week.

Never claimed you were. Don't get defensive bro.

[Special Juan 27,429]

Never claimed you were. Don't get defensive bro.

Not being defensive, I'm offering my opinion.

[bababoom 4,478]

A part from Tibo's position....

a little better defending would also be very welcome!!!

That defending.

[Myself 793]

Am I the only one with a feeling that he's eventually going to get fed up with our playstyle and then leave?

[termninja 5,290]

Am I the only one with a feeling that he's eventually going to get fed up with our playstyle and then leave?

I have that concern too, both for him and Hazard. Hopefully we are only burnt out from so much games and such a short squad which is the reason for our bad games and we address that in the summer.

[Yeboii 1,844]

Am I the only one with a feeling that he's eventually going to get fed up with our playstyle and then leave?

The playstyle that has left us on the top of the league?