davie nine":3du8xvqv said:
vibratingspider":3du8xvqv said:
arrythewurzel":3du8xvqv said:
We do look a bit exposed defensively and I think we would be improved if Bakinson came back or someone of his physique and ability. Perhaps Lowe is still in the market for such a player as he was interested in getting Backinsom back but all went quiet. We’re still work in progress with quite a few changes to lineups and new personnel slotting in so not overly concerned apart from goals shipped.
Bit early to be deciding ... but it feels a weaker squad than last year without Bakinson Sarce McFadzean and Palmer. Feels a bit more lightweight to me. Time will tell.
We definitely need more cover at the back, Bakinson would be a great addition.
I don't think Cooper is the answer, he doesn't look anywhere near good enough and he has no presence whatsoever. The fact we've let Palmer slip through our fingers thinking we had sufficient keepers already is a mistake I think Lowe is going to rue all season.
I actually think Lincoln are going to be there or there abouts this season, they've made some quality signings and smashed Bradford 5-0 last night. Two clean sheets out of two so far for Palmer :sigh:
That is very unfair criticism of Mike Cooper. He has been excellent in every game to date.He made several good saves in the first half when, overall, we dominated.
Many goalkeepers opt to punch the ball in a crowded penalty area and there was still opportunity to clear the ball before it came back in.
For their second goal, he came out to help his defence but McAnuff took advantage of a good bounce to lob him.
For the third, he was unable to block the advancing player after Wootton’s disastrous mis-control.
I suggest that you watch Cooper’s performances for a few more games before coming to such a ‘knee jerk’ conclusion.
You haven't really told me anything that wasn't painfully obvious during the game there davie. For the first, I agree that many keepers would punch the ball, but that doesn't make it the right thing to do. Whether it was down to a lack of confidence in his position, his frame being a bit slight still, or whether he just doesn't assert himself fully enough with crosses - my view is that it's a combination of all three. For that goal, there was simply no need to punch it, there was no pressure on him so catching it would have been pretty straightforward. He then just floundered on his line like an outfield player who'd been put in goal after the keeper had been red carded!
For the second goal, I think Mike was far too keen to advance off his line and give Jobi the opportunity to lob him. His positioning was awful - he was in no man's land. I would've preferred to have seen Cooper stay further back, give the defence a chance to recover or put pressure on McAnuff. McAnuff is a good player with bags of experience, and I think Cooper showed naivety in charging at him like that especially given his hesitation at the crucial moment - if you're going to go then go all the way - my view is that Cooper was caught in two minds, he didn't have the speed to close Jobi quickly enough so he should have stayed where he was - in my view McAnuff would have still had plenty to do if Cooper hadn't charged off his line. Would Wootton have closed him down? I'm not sure, but the fact that yet another ball made it over the top suggests that we've got a real frailty there, and I don't know whether Cooper has the ability yet to win these big one-on-ones.
The third, I also think he could have done better, he just doesn't seem to make himself big enough for me - like I said, I think he lacks presence and doesn't impose himself enough. Again, he showed a clear route to goal for the ball and was beaten at his near post after attempting some kind of weird sideways foot lunge at the feet of Johnson. I don't know whether it was his positioning this time, or his stature maybe, it just seemed too easy.
I'm not trying to slate the guy for the sake of it, nor do I want to discourage us investing in youth - perosnally, I just don't think now is the right time to throw him in. I'm also well aware that it's very easy to criticise a keeper when any slight mistake equals a goal. I just haven't seen enough from Cooper to warrant the hype right now, and I would have much rather we'd gone with a more seasoned option like Palmer for our first season in League One - especially when our defence is, as a unit, still very weak.
These are my views, and of course I'd be as delighted as every other Argyle fan to see him progress through the season, I just hope it doesn't cost us too many points in the meantime.
