donmentor wrote:
Surely the logical conclusion is that if, as you say, the defence is weak we need a better goalkeeper. I think Nicholls is making too many mistakes and has cost us more points than he has saved.
He is definitely not playing as well as he was when he took over from Martin.
Having a Wootton/EEL combination in front of a young ‘keeper tends to have an effect on his confidence.
For what it’s worth I think his handling is below average, and his recovery from initial saves isn’t as sharp as it should be for a young agile ‘keeper. DM was far superior on both counts.
The other thing that gets me, but I’m not sure how easy it is to coach out of him, is his propensity to make a good stop and put the ball back into the middle of the six yard box rather than wide. Great ‘keepers have the presence of mind to not only make the stop but put it in the area of least danger. i.e. wide of goal.