Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Stick or twist between the sticks?

Has the impressive start to the season by Kaspar Schmeichel (and of course the defence in front of him) forced a rethink by Sven-Goran Eriksson as to whether to enter the transfer market for a goalkeeper?

Leading upto the start of the season in the wake of Andreas Isaksson's injury, it was widely speculated that Eriksson was keen to add another keeper to the squad - with Italy number 2 Marco Amelia tipped as the most likely candidate.

For whatever reason though a deal did not get done and we went into the opening day with Kaspar Schmeichel backed up by Joe Hart - something Eriksson admitted he was reluctant to do (despite praising their talents).

Three clean sheets later though and on the back of a trio of solid performances, Eriksson has admitted that the priority of signing a new keeper is now 'on ice', and on the back of the long-term injury to Valeri Bojinov his attentions have turned to attacking reinforcements (along with the possibility of a second attempt to sign Mark Bresciano). Perhaps the endless buckets of cash are not evident and there could well be limited funds to add to the players he has already brought in for a cost of around £40 million, with substantial wages on top.

I see it as likely now that Eriksson sees the need to add firepower up front as a far more pressing matter before the end of the transfer window than bringing in another keeper bearing in mind the job Schmeichel has done this season added to the fact that Isaksson is nearer to full fitness.

Schmeichel - despite lacking a little in height, has looked assured, confident and shown good anticipation. And of course he has been helped in no small part by the impressive performances the new look defence have displayed.

Whereas it may well have been a journey into the unknown at the start of the campaign, I feel that Eriksson is now more confident in the ability of Schmeichel (and Hart) to maybe not be the full-time number 1 but at least be capable of stepping up when required, and it would only make sense to add another keeper if it is with a view to replacing Isaksson as the first choice - something which Eriksson has given no indication he is looking to do.

vote it up!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

its kasper you fool. stick.

Anonymous said...

No you fool it is Kaspar.