Some valid opinions you make which is disappointing when you make some wild speculation that my opinion is based on me knowing Neil Osborn.forevertufc wrote: ↑02 Sep 2017, 07:24 Not going to turn this into a willy waving exercise, I have never claimed to be an expert, far from it, I spent 10 years working in youth development football, albeit at a local level, however worked along side a number professional football development schools, including a specialist goalkeeper academy, I even saw Neal Osborn play as an U12, trust me I'm delighted for the lad he's been given a go at TUFC, I'm also lucky enough to know a couple of ex-professional keepers and I don't mean those who once played for TUFC.
That's why a disagree with what you say above, and whilst I know a few keepers that will say they enjoy the busier games, however, ALL will tell you they'd rather play in a team with a competent back line, and they will tell you confidence in goalkeeping is a key element, you won't get that from playing in a losing team, in front of a back line that resembles the keystone kops.
I have feeling you know Neal, I also think your not looking at this from a pure footballing point of view. Had the team won the majority of their games, if they had a well drilled back line, who could offer a young keeper some protection, with CB that could talk him through the game, I'd be agreeing with you right now.
But that's so far removed from the truth it's unbelievable, I've actually lost count, is it 6 games in a row the team have lost, and we have a back line that don't appear to have the ability to talk to each other let lone the keeper, bit disturbing for me as that's U14-15 stuff.
Putting Neal Osborn into this team would be decision born from the 'mind of a mad man' it's an every thing to lose situation, for the club, the team, and most important of all, the player.
On that front you are totally wrong as I've never met the lad.
If you must know, my opinion is based on first hand experience of playing as a youth keeper for a professional club. I was in the same situation and dealt with it. I'm not suggesting that you haven't played at any level but if you have then you must know what I'm on about even if you don't agree with
You should think of this situation as no diffferenr to any 17 or 18 yr old making his debut in a professional capacity,
Everton didn't play Wayne Rooney thinking he wasn't good enough .or countless others I could name.
It's about ability. If you are good enough you are old enough !!!
Again the main point which I have laboured over is that in my opinion he was signed as a second keeper and that was clearly wrong .
Anyway let's move on shall we!!
Enjoy the game and fingers crossed.
