✍ Welcome Alphonse Areola

[S-H]

Is there a record under threat for time played by one of our keepers without conceding?

Probably already beaten..

[Danny's Dyer Acting]

It’s 4, he played against Manchester United.

Areola didn't play in Zagreb.

[funky chicken]

It’s 4, he played against Manchester United.

It’s 3. Manchester Utd (Carabao Cup) and the last 2 Europa League games. Fabianski was in goal against Dinamo Zagreb.

[BigFatSam]

It’s 3. Manchester Utd (Carabao Cup) and the last 2 Europa League games. Fabianski was in goal against Dinamo Zagreb.

Whoops. Nothing worse than saying something with confidence and being wrong is there

[funky chicken]

Whoops. Nothing worse than saying something with confidence and being wrong is there

I can see how you thought that was the case though. As it is strange Areola didn’t play against Zagreb, but has played in every Cup competition since then.

I guess one thing Areola will find differently here compared to Fulham is we probably play less defensive football than what Fulham did. And when playing for PSG and Real Madrid he probably didn’t have to make too many saves.

One thing I will say in Areola’s favour is it can’t be easy to settle into the team and get use to how our centre halves play when 1 game he’s in the team and the next he’s out of it. It’s bound to have an effect on him like coming for crosses. It’s why you never underestimate having a settled defence and goalkeeper.

[Ironing Board]

I think he is a better keeper than Fabianski, but it will probably be a while before he becomes first choice. He will get his chance when Fabianski gets a niggle and has to sit out a match. Even then, he will have to turn in a top performance in such a scenario.

[goa127]

I think he is a better keeper than Fabianski, but it will probably be a while before he becomes first choice. He will get his chance when Fabianski gets a niggle and has to sit out a match. Even then, he will have to turn in a top performance in such a scenario.

not on last nights performance he isn't

[hammer1975]

I’m not in a rush for him to replace Fabianski, but I do think some of the desire to see him play in other games is because people want to see if he is the genuine replacement (as opposed to just wanting the new shiny player automatically to play) and know Fab won’t be number one next season either way.

I think he may be over-trying at the moment in order to make an impression despite limited things to do when he’s played. he seems to have gone for a punch from a high cross in a couple of games when he didn’t need to…that wasn’t something I saw him do for Fulham last year.

As a positive - i liked that he came off his line and shut down the ball over the top in the first half - that seemed to almost stop that tactic from Genk from that point.

Still got a horrible feeling we’ll not play him enough and he’ll leave to be replaced by Sam Johnstone on a free next summer…a vastly inferior goalkeeper in my opinion (but also a Salthouse client).

[bubbles1966]

It's true that he doesn't really seem to be getting tested.

He seemed to be an outstanding shot-stopper last year, but he rarely has a shot to save when playing for us (words i never thought I'd type).

He does appear a bit impetuous with crosses, but probably more comfortable as a sweeper-keeper type than Fab.

[CarltonColesLeftFoot]

Superb

[hammer1975]

Erm, not bad :lol:

[DasNutNock2]

He must be absolutely buzzing right now.

[bengaliron]

It's true that he doesn't really seem to be getting tested.

He seemed to be an outstanding shot-stopper last year, but he rarely has a shot to save when playing for us (words i never thought I'd type).

He does appear a bit impetuous with crosses, but probably more comfortable as a sweeper-keeper type than Fab.

I think he's been tested enough today to safely say he is a decent shot stopper as least.

[Bond Holder 59]

Clean sheets, it’s what he does.

Really well done that man. You can do no more. You have improved the squad.

Motm in my opinion.
⚒

[Diogenes]

He was excellent tonight. We have a first class keeper to replace Fabianski when the time comes. How lucky we are.

[Chadwell Chief]

Brick ****ing wall this lad

[OFT]

Superb MOTM performance tonight.

[bonzosbeard]

Superb

[Vic_Watson]

Gutted he didn't take the fifth pen.

[Daytonahammer]

Good performance tonight. Top shelf.