Etheridge vs Smithies

We have all seen comments that maybe Etheridge should be swapped with Smithies, so I thought we should compare them.
What should compare?
Shot Stopping, Reflexes, Catching, Passing, Penalty stopping, Errors Made.
Shot stopping should be weighted higher than passing, hence why there is more stats comparing goal prevention than passing.
(Etheridge will be the first rating, while Smithies the second)

Shot Stopping:
9 vs 7
Etheridge has shown over the couple years at the club he is an incredible shot stopper, preventing 310 goals while averaging 140 saves a season. Smithies comparatively has made 257 saves over his 3 seasons at a lower midtable QPR, he only played 10 times in his final season so if we only count the full seasons he averages 108 saves per season. This shows that Etheridge is a better shot stopper than Smithies. What also shows this is the % save stat. Etheridge saved 80% of the time in 17/18 and 67% of the time in the higher division. Smithies QPR seasons saw 64% 64% and 60% saved. Even this year, Etheridge’s % save is narrowly greater than Smithies (66.7% vs 65.8%).

Reflexes:
8 v 7
Remembering the championship promotion season, Etheridge’s reflexes were cat like making remarkable save after remarkable save. He was amazing. Smithies, I would argue doesn’t have the reflexes like Etheridge in the short amount of games we saw of him. However, as judging period is significantly shorter than Etheridge, I have made the difference between minimal.

Catching:
9 v 10
In the past 3 seasons of Etheridge, I have only seen one cross dropped. That was on the weekend against Forest and was dealt with well by the defence. But he does parry harder shots that could be caught. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t disagree he has made significant improvements since he joined Cardiff. I have seen Smithies a short period of time but I haven’t seen him drop a cross yet so let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and say his catching is impeccable.

Passing:
5 v 3
We all know the kicking capabilities of Etheridge who regularly sprayed balls into the crowds. However, what we don’t know is that the common misconception that Smithies is a better passer. Etheridge’s 32.3% pass percentage is nothing to be proud of, but Smithies 27.9% is worse. That is undeniable.

Penalty Stopping:
8 v 10
Smithies is famous for his ability to protect the net from penalties. For this I’ll give him a 10. Alternatively, we have Etheridge who does well against Penalties. We all know this so I won’t try to find the statistics for this.

Errors Made: (this will deduct off the total)
1 v 4
Etheridge, I would argue hasn’t been at fault for many of the goals this year and in previous seasons. He has been almost ever present being a brick wall in net. Smithies has been at fault for arguably 1/3rd of the goals he conceded as he tried to throw points against Huddersfield and others teams. For this I will deduct 4 points for this wobbly play.

Totals:
Etheridge: 38/50
Smithies: 33/50

It’s obvious who we should be starting with.

I feel Etheridge is the better keeper although he has been not at his best since now injury.

On the other hand, Smithies is decent if he is playing and maybe one of them will be sold in January

This just sounds like someone desperately trying to justify Etheridge keeping his place.

The undeniable fact is Smithies is all round a better keeper and did not deserve to lose his place

And saying Smithies wanted to throw points just shows how poorly thought out this post is

This just sounds like someone desperately trying to justify Etheridge keeping his place.

The undeniable fact is Smithies is all round a better keeper and did not deserve to lose his place

And saying Smithies wanted to throw points just shows how poorly thought out this post is

I apologise, I didn’t mean to insinuate that he wanted us to lose. I meant to say he was at fault for 1/3rd of the 12 goals he had conceded this season, thus costing us points.

The undeniable fact is that no, Smithies isn’t a better goalkeeper. It is all round agreed, and proved that Etheridge is a better shot stopper. Smithies has what everyone thinks is a better passing ability, which is unfortunately completely false as proven above. Smithies totally warranted dropping after 4 errors in 12 games.

Smithies has better distribution no matter what your stats might or might not suggest

Smithies has better distribution no matter what your stats might or might not suggest

Short pass percentages, Smithies played more (resulting in more successful percentage) and thus why people think he’s a better distributor. But long passes, he hits 14% while Etheridge hits 25%.

Statistics tell the truth and are unbiased

Etheridge is better at everything other than his kicking from the floor.

Etheridge is better at everything other than his kicking from the floor.

Possibly but with us now trying to play more football Etheridge is struggling to retain possession from kicks and if we get offered a decent amount in January it may be worth cashing in.

This just sounds like someone desperately trying to justify Etheridge keeping his place.

The undeniable fact is Smithies is all round a better keeper and did not deserve to lose his place

And saying Smithies wanted to throw points just shows how poorly thought out this post is

I apologise, I didn’t mean to insinuate that he wanted us to lose. I meant to say he was at fault for 1/3rd of the 12 goals he had conceded this season, thus costing us points.

The undeniable fact is that no, Smithies isn’t a better goalkeeper. It is all round agreed, and proved that Etheridge is a better shot stopper. Smithies has what everyone thinks is a better passing ability, which is unfortunately completely false as proven above. Smithies totally warranted dropping after 4 errors in 12 games.

You say Smithies was at fault for 4 of the goals conceded warranted dropping ? That's debatable as I would suggest the absolutely shocking defence in front of him contributed to those goals.

I can name you multiple goals Etheridge should have saved over the last two years but didnt, or times when his poor kicking led to a attack from the other team that resulted in a goal.

For every Etheridge save there is a poor kick or punch away.

In reality they are both bang average Championship keepers , the only difference Is Etheridge is afforded more let offs as he happened to be in goals when he had a brilliant defence resulting in loads of clean sheets. I remember less than two years ago people were calling for his head after yet another spell of poor form and he was eventually dropped for Brian Murphy for a few games.

If you want to go by stats then the only ones that matter for a keeper are clean sheets.

This seasons stats so far :

Etgeridge 10 games 3 clean sheets
Smithies 10 games 3 clean sheets

Very little if anything between the two stats wise. The difference is how they impact a game going forward and that is where Smithies comes out on top

Smithies has better distribution no matter what your stats might or might not suggest

Short pass percentages, Smithies played more (resulting in more successful percentage) and thus why people think he’s a better distributor. But long passes, he hits 14% while Etheridge hits 25%.

Statistics tell the truth and are unbiased

To be fair Etheridge long passes to the dug outs are probably around 90% successful

To be fair Etheridge long passes to the dug outs are probably around 90% successful

You say Smithies was at fault for 4 of the goals conceded warranted dropping ? That's debatable as I would suggest the absolutely shocking defence in front of him contributed to those goals.

I can name you multiple goals Etheridge should have saved over the last two years but didnt, or times when his poor kicking led to a attack from the other team that resulted in a goal.

I would like to see you name 3.

You say Smithies was at fault for 4 of the goals conceded warranted dropping ? That's debatable as I would suggest the absolutely shocking defence in front of him contributed to those goals.

I can name you multiple goals Etheridge should have saved over the last two years but didnt, or times when his poor kicking led to a attack from the other team that resulted in a goal.

I would like to see you name 3.

Getting done by the De bruyne miss kick last season against Man city stands out

The goal against Bristol which went through his hands from 30 yards out

The goal against Birmingham where he Was beaten from 35 yards again or the first against Brum where he hesitated coming for the cross and was left in no mans land ?


Should I keep going or do you want to take the rose tinted glasses off first