WHAT?! Can it be that the best English keeper plays for a team in the relegation zone seemingly destined for the drop? YES. "But HOW?" you ask. HOW can the side that's conceded the third most goals in the Premier League have the best keeper? 1) If not for some brilliant saves, WBA would regularly be conceding 3-5 goals, despite the pack-them-in defensive strategy. Hoult is the main reason Albion have not looked far worse in our results. 2) Other than Hoult, WBA are crap. (See #1). Even the most optimistic Albion fans wouldn't deny this. With the Baggies current frustrating lack of attack, their opposition has been able to mount quite a bit of pressure in most of WBA's EPL matches. BUT, other than five goals conceded to Arsenal, three to Spurs & Wigan (in the cup, but Murphy was between the sticks then), Albion rarely concedes more than 2 goals (usually only 1, and Albion's had four clean sheets) 3) Seaman is old, David James & Nigel Martyn inconsistent. Baggies fans have also taken up the chant: "England's Number One." DISCUSS.
Paul Robinson, Chris Kirkland, Richard Wright are all better than Hoult. Anybody on the planet can be better than David James! What else are the baggies gonna chant about anyway?
I still think for England Robbo is the best. 2'nd would be Kirkland and third choice should be Hoult.
Of course, it could be argued that Kirkland plays behind one of the best organized defences at der 'Pewl... but I don't doubt his ability. Robinson I probably would concede as well, but Wright?? Noooo... Wright may have had a streak of clean sheets with Everton earlier this season but he's at the best the equal of, not better than Hoult.
I think Paul Robinson is clearly better, and Kirkland is probably as well. To be honest, if you offered Hoult for Seaman in a straight swap, I'd say no way. But he is a quality keeper, no question.
First off, Dave, how many 90 minutes have you watched this season? We ain't as crap as you think we are. We've played just as well as most teams this season but the only let down has been the difference in finishing - thats been the difference not Hoult. For example, we outplayed Spurs at their place, should have beaten Leeds, should have got points at Newcastle and Liverpol and Man Utd, battered Fulham and Middlesboro and Birmingham. The only game we've been outplayed in is Arsenal. Secondly, on current form i'd say he's the best English keeper in the Prem but not as talented as Robinson and Kirkland but Hoult deserves a call up at least.
To say that a keeper is good despite giving up the third most goals isnt that far off. I still believe Mart Poom to be one of the best in the league and he got relegated with the rest of the Derby crew. We will see if Im right when he gets a start with an awful Sunderland team.(Sorry Liverpool fans!)
A+E, being a Baggies fan here in the States is hard when the only matches we can watch are what Sky provides its US counterpart. I've heard most of the matches through "Albion World" and BRMB, but only watched a handful, the most recent being Spurs away. I agree that we have not been badly outplayed (bar the Arsenal match). But it's that lack of finishing that's the reason I said we're crap. Even at this highest level, we expected more than the odd goal from Roberts, Dobie and Hughesie. Anyway, I'd love to see what Hoult can do for England, if Sven will have him.
After watching Seaman for many years, especially when he was in his pomp, he's definitiely past it now. I must admit, the pundits at the weekend were waxng lyrical about Russell Hoult's performance. Not that you'd have known by watching the highlights on ITV! Personally, I'd go for one of the younger guys for the England position, my preference at the moment would be Paul Robinson. He looks the business and after having played plenty of games for the under-21s and in Europe. I think he would be best suited to the tension surronding the international scene.
I would have to say Barthez and Cudicini are the two best goalies in the EPL. Although, I guess it could be argued that Barthez and Cudicini have a lot of help from good defenders. It's hard to pick the best goalie in the league. I must say, fellow Aussie, Mark Schwarzer has really impressed me thus far. He has conceded the second least amount of goals in the premiership, only behind Cudicini, who has conceded the fewest amount of goals half way through the season.
Good thread and good comments. England does have some good young goalies coming up. Kirkland has done well after being in Dudeks shadow for so long, a little more EPL exposure for him before I'd call him to play for England. I thought that this thread would be filled with raves from our US friends about "their choices"...Again...!
Interesting topic.... How are u working out that hoult is the best keeper in england at the moment... ??? Opta stats - wild guess - just like him ??? If you going on saves and performance he's bound to be top dog as he has more to do than most other keepers. The real qustion should be..Is hoult doen well and making saves... or is his defence crap that he has to save everything near on or w.b.a would be losing games in the double figures. Its not fair to judge a keeper on saves alone when his defence are letting attacker get to him over 10 times a game on average. You cant judge kirkland at the moment..He's played like 4 games for liverpool in 2 years ??? he seems good but how can you bare judgement. maybe on his coventry days ??? I would chose robinson
Yeah, if Clem had bagged any of the 5(five) chances he had against Spurs for instance, or we hadn't sat back yesterday and let a poor Sunderland team play footy against us in the second half. We creat lots of chances every game but we have no-one bar say Koumas who looks confindent infront of goal! Russ boy has saved our bacon so many times this season already, he is the best English keeper in the Prem at the moment, and should be regarded as so, not pilloried cos he plays for us not Arsenal!
wrights right at this moment richard wright,he's got his confidence back with moyesy @ everton and is returning to his ipswich form.