Joel Robles

[Roger Milla]

Never been a fan of Howard even everyone thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, never understood the hype. Had a decent season last season but that's it. The one good game and the call of Obama seems to have gone to his head, he's been crap but gets on like a goalkeeping oracle commenting on everything that doesn't concern him, pissed me off reading his comments on Rodgers and Mignolet the other week.

 

[PhilM]

As an exkeeper though isn't having a run of games to get match sharp an important part of being able to perform well?

It is important. Confidence and a working partnership with your defence is a huge aspect, therefore the more you play the better you get.

Therefore as you mention, consistency may have been an aspect in some of those games. In fact it I'd suggest it definitely did to some degree.

However, I still sincerely believe some of the errors and judgements which of occurred highlight a lack of potential to be a top level keeper.

I was always told, 'You can train to become a better keeper, but some of the core judgements you need to be a great keeper just come naturally'.

As of yet, in my humble opinion he hasn't convinced me that he those attributes yet. However as mentioned before, I will happily be proven wrong.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Ok mate.

Whatever happened (which is flattening) he cleared the ball.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Ok mate.

Whatever happened (which is flattening) he cleared the ball.

I'm pretty sure he's American mate. It's pr best to disregard everything he says.

 

[jinkyali]

It is important. Confidence and a working partnership with your defence is a huge aspect, therefore the more you play the better you get.

Therefore as you mention, consistency may have been an aspect in some of those games. In fact it I'd suggest it definitely did to some degree.

However, I still sincerely believe some of the errors and judgements which of occurred highlight a lack of potential to be a top level keeper.

I was always told, 'You can train to become a better keeper, but some of the core judgements you need to be a great keeper just come naturally'.

As of yet, in my humble opinion he hasn't convinced me that he those attributes yet. However as mentioned before, I will happily be proven wrong.

If you dont mind me asking, what are these core judgements/attributes you talk of that need to be natural?

 

[PhilM]

If you dont mind me asking, what are these core judgements/attributes you talk of that need to be natural?

Of course I do not mind. They're not an ever binding set of judgements and attributes which all will agree on or are published by FIFA.

I'd say a good keeper is based on composure, a natural ability to position themselves and simply a good judgement (some 'nouse' you may say).

Obviously the need for speed, strength, agility and quick reflexes are vital (they again can come naturally), but they're much easier to develop.

Composure will develop with experience, however a lot of it is a personal trait. Positioning is the same. Judgement comes from the two together.

Before my teen growth spurt many moons ago I wasn't a particularly tall lad. Physically I probably did not fit the pictorial image of a keeper.

Yet, I seemed to have level of composure and judgement, combined with quick reflexes, that meant I shined in goal.

Even competing against 6ft something lads, when I was probably only 5ft 7" at the time, I was able to come out and win balls.

I didn't really fill the goal you may say, yet I was able to position myself and knew when to come out, stand up or move around.

Clearly with practice, consistency and experience these will improve, but they are hard to teach. If they're natural it's much, much easier.

How he acted for the penalties were the biggest indicator to me as of late: early diving; little movement; lack of composure.

 

[MikeH72]

Flattening Frazier Campbell for no reason to give Palace a penalty in the Palace game.
Letting the ball go through his hands for Campbell to score in the same game.
Being beaten at his near post against Hull.
Ivanovic's shot going straight through him against Chelsea.
Handling the ball outside the box against Chelsea. He should have been sent off.
Pathetically palming out a pea roller to Erikson against Spurs.
Getting beat near post at Swansea away in the cup.

That's just off the top of my head. I bet I could remember more if I looked again at our games this season. He's been an embarrassment to watch.

Soft free kick by Gerrard in the derby
Kicking the ball straight to a United player in the build up to their second goal when way outside his box
Nearly fluffing his lines outside the box against Sunderland and having to lie on top of the ball to get away with it

 

[danka duncan]

WHAT??? penalties biggest indicator of a lack of composure?? what a load of rubbish. The guy has played PL before for Wigan. All say he played well and had potential to be a good keeper. He hasn't had a chance since coming to Everton to show what he can do. You can clearly see in the game last night, he made some great saves. These saves show plenty of movement and good reactions. Which, to me, is much more important as he will have to make these kind of saves a hell of a lot more that penalties.

Yes is he showing a lack of confidence, but is showing an improvement with each game. I am a season ticket holder, and those at the ground I speak to all say its his distribution and lack of command in the box which is the issue, not his ability as a shot stopper. For example: against City, he was going to kick the ball to Stones who was on the right side of the box. Just outside the box was Nasri who was shaping up to made a run in and intercept the pass for a tap in. The whole of Gwladys St could see what was about to happen and shouted 'DONT'. Thankfully he listened, and booted it up field instead.

AS for keeper and penalties: all keepers pick a side and dive. So not a indicator at all. Why they do this is a mystery to me. If keepers (not just Robles) waited to see which way a player was shooting before diving, they would save quite a few penalties as so many are hit down the middle or close to the keeper that they could easily get to.

 

[marty mcfly]

It went through his hands he just didn't have his face in the way that time.

I think your memory must be failing you on a number of games to be honest if you can't remember Robles mistakes that have lead to goals.

Well we'll see. He still has a load of games before Howard is due back. At the end of the day his performances will settle this dispute.

 

[marty mcfly]

Never been a fan of Howard even everyone thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, never understood the hype. Had a decent season last season but that's it. The one good game and the call of Obama seems to have gone to his head, he's been crap but gets on like a goalkeeping oracle commenting on everything that doesn't concern him, pissed me off reading his comments on Rodgers and Mignolet the other week.

He just didn't want dropped too. It was a message to Martinez more than anything else.

 

[joey_macmo]

Never been a fan of Howard even everyone thought he was the best thing since sliced bread, never understood the hype. Had a decent season last season but that's it. The one good game and the call of Obama seems to have gone to his head, he's been crap but gets on like a goalkeeping oracle commenting on everything that doesn't concern him, pissed me off reading his comments on Rodgers and Mignolet the other week.

Statistically an average season for his Everton but this thread has lots of fiction in it so it doesnt matter

 

[PhilM]

WHAT??? penalties biggest indicator of a lack of composure?? what a load of rubbish. The guy has played PL before for Wigan...

...These saves show plenty of movement and good reactions. Which, to me, is much more important as he will have to make these kind of saves a hell of a lot more that penalties...

...I am a season ticket holder, and those at the ground I speak to all say its his distribution and lack of command in the box which is the issue, not his ability as a shot stopper...

...AS for keeper and penalties: all keepers pick a side and dive. So not a indicator at all.

To the first point. Playing for a Premier League team means what? Whether it is Wigan or Man United, it's what you do in goal.

Brad Jones has played for those lot across the Park in the Premier League: would I want him? No. Al-Habsi played for Wigan for ages? Mingolet?

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I agree that reactions, agility and quick reflexes are important. Yet, it's the mental attributes which apply these.

It was not about saving the penalties, it was how he appeared to prepare and apply himself during these penalties.

Adrian looked composed and prepared, as if he was confident that he would save them.

On the other, during the penalties he looked sheepish. His attempts were equally poor. I am not denying Robles had a good game, as he did.

Yet, penalties are about your judgement and composure. If you can't apply them then, arguably how well will transfer to the rest of the game?

You said yourself as a season ticket holder, people at the game talk about distribution and lack of command. I'm have a S/T and travel away.

I see the same. Poor distribution and not commanding your area, which goes straight back to judgement and having the footballing brain.

Regardless of how of a reflex keeper you are, if you do not have the brain you will make mistakes. Really, we could be talking about Howard here.

For me a great keeper has an aura or presence about them. You feel as if you can rely on them. Can you see Robles being like that?

I see him being a good enough shot stopper, but making far too many mistakes and lacking the composure to push on.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

I don't get this complaining about His distribution. I think it's fine. Most of his kicks finds one of our players.

 

[hetion]

His throws are great a lot of the time too. Starting off an attack with Coleman and so on.

 

[bluemangroup]

For me a great keeper has an aura or presence about them. You feel as if you can rely on them. Can you see Robles being like that?

I'm starting to get more comfortable with Robles being in goal, does that count? It's only one game like, difficult to feel completely reassured by him after that short a time. He is more imposing than Howard is.