Most liked posts in thread: New signing... City catch the train.

We need to get away from this idea that O’Donnell was somehow the problem with us shipping goals at an alarming rate. He started off the season well but by the end was dragged down to everyone elses level. We have major problems with our squad but the keeper isn’t one of them.

 

I would even go as far as saying that RO’D didn’t have a bad season. Yes, his form fell apart during the last 2-3mths, but prior to that, he was one of the more consistent performers and constantly kept us in games.

But don’t we have this same behaviour from our fans EVERY close season. Get rid of McLaughlin- he’s not good enough. Get rid of Ben Williams- he’s not good enough. Get rid of Colin Doyle- he’s not good enough. Now it’s get rid of Richard O’Donnell.

Do we expect to sign someone of David de Gea’s quality? Oh hang on, he’s not good enough for us either as his performances last season were littered with errors....!

 

Nonsense Park, he was one of the only ones earning their crust until the transfer window passed. His saves tally was right up with the best in all 4 leagues according to Opta. Obviously he was busier than most but he is a good keeper when focused. There's only so much you can do when the defence just allow shot after shot, game after game. The amount of work he was getting through mistakes are going to happen. Can't really say his mistakes cost us as the team in front gave nothing to fight for and provide any inspiration at the other end of the pitch.

 

Can't beat a good solid number 2.

 

I googled Sam Horny - needless to say I got something completely different

 

I think we've far bigger issues in other areas of the pitch. Not much to choose between OD and Colin Doyle imo, both fairly solid L1 keepers who would be fine with a decent defense in front of them. If it came down to new goalie or centre half I'd bite your hand off for a new centre half.

 

What sort of signing would make you break out into a little smile? Are you looking for a name? Ex-player? Someone you've heard off? Paying a transfer fee? What's it going to take to put a little skip back into your city step?

 

You don't half spout some gaff.

 

The shit list from last season would read as:
Defence
Midfield
Attack
GK

 

Riley was ex man utd, goal machine mclean was from Hull, reece brown and the other guy ex man utd and they were all PANTS. The point being that where we get them from matters feck all provided they can play.

V much agree on this one, hes either gonna be a solid back up or push o donnell out the number one spot so v encouraging. Vale fans commending his professionalism in the face of limited opportunities (take note riley!) and saying hes only a back up because scott browns in the form of his life so I'll take that

 

I'll reserve full judgement till i've seen him play but doesn't take much to get our lot excited does it? 11 games so far at football league level and some on here are seeing him as a direct replacement for Richard O'Donnell who has played over 200 games at league one and championship level. I know ROD struggled last year but tell me a player that didn't and yet some are writing him off as a poor keeper.
Hornby should be competing for the number 1 jersey but O'Donnell should be the starting keeper next season, forget last season as it was a freak season.

 

O'Donnell is more than good enough at league 2 level. Unless we can replace like for like on cheaper wages I don't see him leaving.

 

Sorry Park but we disagree. RO’D is a more than adequate keeper in L1, let alone L2. Yes his form hit the buffers but he held his own many times before then.

But as I’ve said before, our fans’ expectations are unrealistic. We’ve “rubbished’ McLaughlin, Williams, Doyle and now O’Donnell. Even Pickford was deemed not good enough by some of our armchair ‘experts’.

 

I'd go to the doctors about that pal

 

If Port Vale can land a great keeper like Scott Brown (who from his record appears to have spent most of his career in league two), then why can't we sign such an illustrious keeper as our number 1?

For the record I think he is here as a solid backup option, I'm not trying to have a go at the lad, I hope he proves me wrong and turns out to be the best keeper in league two. I just don't understand why people think he should be O'Donnell's replacement.

It does beg the question, if Scott Brown is so great why don't we just sign someone of his caliber instead to be our first choice?

If we signed one of Macclesfield Town's backup strikers would you be reassured by their fans stating that he was only been kept out of their side by the brilliant form of Harry Smith? Or would you think "hang on a sec, if that's the case why didn't we just sign Harry Smith or someone of equivalent ability?". These teams are going to be our rivals next season, we want their best players, not their backup players as our first choice.

 

It was on here right at the start of the season, but you’ve only been on here a couple of weeks m8 lucky guess?

 

Better tell Jordan Pickford that heights a relevance.

 

Third choice? How on earth do you come to that conclusion? The lad rejected a contract extension at Vale because he didn't want to continue as back up keeper there. He isn't going to come here as third choice is he?