2023/24 Joao Virginia

[Encoder]

I have to admit that I was shocked when we gave him a long term contract after a few uninspiring loan seasons the other year.

Clearly the coaches saw something the others didn't as he's been excellent in his few appearances. It's telling that Dyche (who appears loathe to change the starting XI usually) is happy to give him cup games.

Well done lad, hope he gets the next round too.

 

[EFCPaul]

Has always looked a good shot-stopper, just limited with his feet and couldn't cope with high balls into the goal-mouth.

Tonight was good for the nerves, if anything were to happen to Pickford I've assumed for years it would be a total disaster. Perhaps not after all. Massively improved from a few years ago.

 

[Dublin blue 75]

Recent clean sheets will do wonders for his self confidence as well as build belief in the defence in front of him in his reliability.

It can’t be easy for him being back up to a nailed on high performer week after week. Well done Joao.

 

[HKContractDave]

MOTM performance which surely has earned him another start v Luton?

 

[Walken]

Certainly feel far better about GK back up after the two cup games

 

[Eggs]

….he was awful when he came. I recall a couple of real bloopers when he first went on loan and thought he was a liability. Indeed, I don’t think reports from any of his loan spells have been particularly good. I was very surprised he was given a new deal but he’s looking transformed.

Delighted to be proved wrong, long may it continue.

 

[Marius57]

Looks a real solid back up. That’s all we need. Backups rarely play but knowing he can do a job if he comes in is a real positive as we have had some awful backups over the years.

 

[kev]

Delighted to be proved wrong, long may it continue.

Oh I'm sure you'll continue to be proved wrong @Eggs

 

[PhilM]

I have been pleasantly surprised by him. Some of his saves, blocks and reading of the game yesterday made the difference yesterday!

 

[maccavennie]

The 2 opportunities he raced off his line to block were absolutely superb btw, better than any of the other saves. Kept fully focused and made himself so big.

Brilliant last night and you could see he was absolutely buzzing on the pitch at the end.

 

[Dancing Pat]

With a grid like this, he’ll scare the opposition away!

 

[Toffeelover]

Kept us in the FA Cup.

 

[Nymzee]

 

[Cameron Manning]

….he was awful when he came. I recall a couple of real bloopers when he first went on loan and thought he was a liability. Indeed, I don’t think reports from any of his loan spells have been particularly good. I was very surprised he was given a new deal but he’s looking transformed.

Delighted to be proved wrong, long may it continue.

Being honest Eggs he hasn’t had many chances in the last couple of years although he had a very good game, in the FA cup, against ManCity the season before last when he made some great saves until the last ten minutes when City scored two late goals and wasn’t at fault with either of them. He’s had two very good games now, although I didn’t see last nights game. When he’s needed again hopefully he’ll carry on the way he‘s responded recently.

 

[Old Blue 2]

If we have to sell Pickford in the summer to balance the books, then I think we can rest assured that we have a good replacement...