Etheridge distribution must improve Neil Etheridge rivals

Etheridge distribution must improve


By Glenn Williams

Friday 27th December 2019


Neil Etheridge rivals David Marshall as Cardiff's best goalkeeper of this century, his shot-stopping has been utterly superb, but his distribution is very much work in progress.

There was an ironic cheer against Preston when he actually threw the ball out to Joe Bennett at one point.

Yet it was quickly back to type against Millwall. Lump the ball up to Robert Glatzel, who didn't win a header, Millwall regain possession, the cycle continues.

Etheridge isn't being expected to suddenly mimic Manchester City's Ederson with his footballing ability, but when something is blatantly not working it would be nice to mix things up a little.


Neil Etheridge is a brilliant shot-stopper but can improve his distribution
He needs to be prepared to give the ball short occasionally, either with a throw or a kick, instead of the default approach of boot it upfield and out of the way. Get the pulse racing with a quick counter, rather than wait for the opposition to re-set and get everybody into position.

If the new manager actively encourages a different approach, surely Etheridge will buy into that?

If the manager changes the style and wants to play short 90% of the time like a lot of other championship teams then Etheridge would be doing that.
It’s ridiculous to think he’s constantly going against the managers wishes!!

It’s also very difficult to pass out short as nearly always the players run away from him a bit like on the parks!

If the manager changes the style and wants to play short 90% of the time like a lot of other championship teams then Etheridge would be doing that.
It’s ridiculous to think he’s constantly going against the managers wishes!!

It’s also very difficult to pass out short as nearly always the players run away from him a bit like on the parks!

I think the pattern is set, as are the players, which results in them not expecting anything other than the long-ball

Sadly, other teams are more than aware of that 'obvious' tactic and set up as appropriate!

Best goalkeeper this Century ?

Jesus christ hes not even the best at the club this season let alone this century. He wouldnt even be in the top 5

Neil Alexander
David Marshall
Kasper Schmeichael
Tom Heaton
Tony Warner

If the manager changes the style and wants to play short 90% of the time like a lot of other championship teams then Etheridge would be doing that.
It’s ridiculous to think he’s constantly going against the managers wishes!!

It’s also very difficult to pass out short as nearly always the players run away from him a bit like on the parks!

I agree. I can’t remember an example where he should have thrown to an obvious outlet; as you say, nobody’s looking for it.

Smithies should never have been dropped.

A work in progress???? WTF, he's a professional footballer FFS, kicking a ball in the general direction of where you want it to go is a basic skill that kids on the parks have to have. Whenever the ball is passed back to Etheridge, I find myself ducking in case it hits me, and I'm in row W. What does he do in training all week, and do we have a goalkeeping coach? I would never have dropped Smithies.

Work in progress?

Best goalkeeper this Century ?

Jesus christ hes not even the best at the club this season let alone this century. He wouldnt even be in the top 5

Neil Alexander
David Marshall
Kasper Schmeichael
Tom Heaton
Tony Warner

What about Andy Dibble

If the manager changes the style and wants to play short 90% of the time like a lot of other championship teams then Etheridge would be doing that.
It’s ridiculous to think he’s constantly going against the managers wishes!!

It’s also very difficult to pass out short as nearly always the players run away from him a bit like on the parks!

I agree. I can’t remember an example where he should have thrown to an obvious outlet; as you say, nobody’s looking for it.

its insticitive to spread and want the ball no matter how low you go down the levels..our players do not because its been worked on and are told not to as its going long...

Smithies should never have been dropped.

correct should never have played in the first place....worse of our 4...
and why anyone would ever complain about kicking { which is by no means great } but want someone less accurate and whose positioning is shocking beats me..

If the manager changes the style and wants to play short 90% of the time like a lot of other championship teams then Etheridge would be doing that.
It’s ridiculous to think he’s constantly going against the managers wishes!!

It’s also very difficult to pass out short as nearly always the players run away from him a bit like on the parks!

I agree. I can’t remember an example where he should have thrown to an obvious outlet; as you say, nobody’s looking for it.

its insticitive to spread and want the ball no matter how low you go down the levels..our players do not because its been worked on and are told not to as its going long...

That’s my point.
The ball is not played out from Etheridge because the defence and midfield were told to move upfield as the ball was always going to be hooked up there.

Harris hasn’t changed that tactic very much or you would see the defenders moving into positions to receive the ball constantly.

Hence, you can’t blame Etheridge for his distribution like so many do

Would you want this teM playing it out from the back ? But that said I believe Smithies is the better Keeper

If the manager changes the style and wants to play short 90% of the time like a lot of other championship teams then Etheridge would be doing that.
It’s ridiculous to think he’s constantly going against the managers wishes!!

It’s also very difficult to pass out short as nearly always the players run away from him a bit like on the parks!

I agree. I can’t remember an example where he should have thrown to an obvious outlet; as you say, nobody’s looking for it.

its insticitive to spread and want the ball no matter how low you go down the levels..our players do not because its been worked on and are told not to as its going long...

That’s my point.
The ball is not played out from Etheridge because the defence and midfield were told to move upfield as the ball was always going to be hooked up there.

Harris hasn’t changed that tactic very much or you would see the defenders moving into positions to receive the ball constantly.

Hence, you can’t blame Etheridge for his distribution like so many do

agree mate and tbh cant get my head around people thinking its not...there is literally no one to throw it or knock it short to most of the time even should he wish...its turn and head for the halfway line.. but people continue to use the phrase all round distribution...Smithies also went long, less accurately but long never the less....

I don't agree his distribution is bad, inconsistent yes' it's what he has been coached to do. Hump it up the park to let Glatzel lose another jump for the ball, Against Millwall in the second half Neil,on occasions wanted to play the ball quickly by running to the edge of his box only to find no city players looking to receive a quick break throw. If we are going to play this repetitive long ball tactics we do need a target man who can jump and be mobile. Glatzel did not win the ball once against the two Millwall centre backs throughout his time on the pitch. When Ward came on, to late in my opinion, he challenged for the ball in the air five times and won the ball on four occasions. I know who I would have in the number 9 position in Sheffield.

I don't agree his distribution is bad, inconsistent yes' it's what he has been coached to do. Hump it up the park to let Glatzel lose another jump for the ball, Against Millwall in the second half Neil,on occasions wanted to play the ball quickly by running to the edge of his box only to find no city players looking to receive a quick break throw. If we are going to play this repetitive long ball tactics we do need a target man who can jump and be mobile. Glatzel did not win the ball once against the two Millwall centre backs throughout his time on the pitch. When Ward came on, to late in my opinion, he challenged for the ball in the air five times and won the ball on four occasions. I know who I would have in the number 9 position in Sheffield.

interesting you mention ALL these aerial duels...some of our fans think Etheridge just kicks it anywhere ?
but yep. its there to be seen and the stats are not wrong.

Best goalkeeper this Century ?

Jesus christ hes not even the best at the club this season let alone this century. He wouldnt even be in the top 5

Neil Alexander
David Marshall
Kasper Schmeichael
Tom Heaton
Tony Warner

I know football is a game of opinions and I respect yours but TONY WARNER?

I've seen some terrible keepers down the City over the last 45 years and he's right down there with Peter Zois, Dimi Dropalot and Mark Howard - f*cking useless the lot of them.

Let’s not forget how terrible Ross Turnbull was on loan... then ended up at Chelsea

Tony Warner was a good keeper when we signed him but we rarely seen him at his best. In fact in his appearance prior to joining us at Ninian Park he played well when Millwall beat us 3-1 if i remember Dennis Wise playing for them. For us Warner was average but by no means the worst keeper we have seen in the last 20 years

Tony Warner was a good keeper when we signed him but we rarely seen him at his best. In fact in his appearance prior to joining us at Ninian Park he played well when Millwall beat us 3-1 if i remember Dennis Wise playing for them. For us Warner was average but by no means the worst keeper we have seen in the last 20 years

There’s a reason our players play for Cardiff City and not one of the top teams in the country. Some of them are average in all aspects. Some excel in many departments, but are poor in others, like Etheridge. Overall, he’s a quality goalkeeper for the level we’re at with the ability to make the step up if promoted as was proven last season. That is all.