Can everyone stop this "Drop Etheridge" rubbish

You must think we're barcelona the way everyone demands we need to be accurate with our goal-kicks. Etheridge's job is to pump the ball up away from our goal, if he miskicks it for a throw in at the halfway line then we either win it back from their throw in, or we push them back and defend from the front. Not ONCE have we conceded from any of his miskicks. Wether he's kicked it straight to players on the halfway line, or he stumbled at times, he has not been directly responsible for any goalkeeping errors leading to goals. Just look around the premiership, championship, league 1 and 2, and you'll find out there are ALOT of goalkeeping errors leading to goals.

I'm FAIRLY certain most of us here who are a reasonable person agrees that Etheridge is the best shot stopper, so I urge we stop with this bizzare idea that Smithies would be better because he's "better at kicking" PFFt! do me a favor.

He clearly isn't getting dropped. Everyone has stopped praising him when he saves us in games and makes good saves. For some reason the only time people mention Etheridge now is when he kicks it out of play 5 times in a game.

Smithies has conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game during his time as a championship player.
Etheridge has conceded an average of 1.0 goals per game during his time as a championship player.

Smithies has kept cleansheets in 20.4% of games in the championship
Etheridge has kept cleansheets in 36.5% of games in the championship

ONTOP of those stats, Etheridge has kept 10 cleansheets in the premier league!

Why are we throwing Etheridge under the bus all of a sudden, he's one of our best players. I assure you Smithies is nothing but Average at best. Neil Etheridge is more than average, and the two seasons before this one you would all have said the same thing. Yes his kicking is crap, but you don't see him EVER making howlers like De Gea is making do you, that has to count for something. Smithies has made alot of errors leading to goals in the past. Can we just be happy that we have a goalkeeper that has great reflexes, improvises incredible well and has always been a reliable shot stopper for us. Smithies has played 13 games and he's not looked particularly great, just "okay".

*Sorry for my rant, but rant over.

Dont worry pal as he may be gone in january. Watch this space

Because our fans always love to hate and moan about our best players. Same thing they do with our best striker in Glatzel and the same Ralls always used to get scapegoated. We have particularly odd set of fans who really underate our players and massively overate inferior players from other teams.

Anyway onwards and upwards great win today hopefully we can get something at QPR too and then actually turn up against the Jacks (unlike the away match) and teach them the lesson that everybody who knows about football already knows that they are and always will be small fry compared to us.

I think you will find fans are more pissed off that he doesn’t seem to be eradicating his quite simple faults of distributing a football not only to a teammate but sometimes to keep on the pitch.
But if your happy that’s fine with me.

There is a reason Smithies has played his whole career at this level as a number 1 and 60% of Etheridges has been on the bench.

You cant state stats like that when one player has played double the games of the other they are not a fair comparison

Etheridge is a good shot stopper but the rest of his game is poor.
Even his shot stopping hasn't been great this season. Hes made a few mistakes with poor positioning.

Smithies didbt deserve to lose his place and may well regain it very soon

Smithies for me.

Smithies for me.

now theres a surprise you and Thomas...

There is a reason Smithies has played his whole career at this level as a number 1 and 60% of Etheridges has been on the bench.

You cant state stats like that when one player has played double the games of the other they are not a fair comparison

Etheridge is a good shot stopper but the rest of his game is poor.
Even his shot stopping hasn't been great this season. Hes made a few mistakes with poor positioning.

Smithies didbt deserve to lose his place and may well regain it very soon

between the 2 its positioning that there is the biggest difference. Smithies aint great with his angles and tends to stick to his line..it was mentioned lots on here when you were still obsessed with kicking .. trying to twist it don't work mate.. Etheridge will be out on top giving little to aim at Smithies will hold ground and attempt a wonder save...
deserve ? players often come in and do ok...ok is what smithies was but you don't pick teams because reserve players have done ok its how you end up with a reserve team...harsh but all substandard players have to deal with it GKs are no different..
oh and of course stats count. maybe not the b all and end but you cant just dismiss stats when it suits then use them yourself elsewhere..

Smithies for me.

now theres a surprise you and Thomas...

I just think he is a better all round keeper. I have no issue with Etheridge either to be honest.

We aren't the only ones. A lot of people on Facebook have said the same.

Smithies for me.

now theres a surprise you and Thomas...

I just think he is a better all round keeper. I have no issue with Etheridge either to be honest.

We aren't the only ones. A lot of people on Facebook have said the same.

all round ?
and better ? he played 10 games and his positioning really wasn't very good..
proper not fair knocking a decent keeper for an imaginary reason..

Smithies for me.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=we ... &FORM=VIRE


this was his last appearance.
Thomas thought he was man of the match ffs... the first is a real nice height and doesn't hit the corner...the second well its not powerful and goes across him. the third he doesn't get his feet sorted...if its your number one guy having a bad day at the office fair enough but this was on the back of a few iffy goals and some scares ... you cant be leaving your number one keeper on the bench after that...sorry..

Smithies for me.

now theres a surprise you and Thomas...

I just think he is a better all round keeper. I have no issue with Etheridge either to be honest.

We aren't the only ones. A lot of people on Facebook have said the same.

And I think im right in saying that there was a poll on here which I think Thomasblue started and it was 75% in favour of Etheridge, it means nothing I agree, but Warnock and Harris see Etheridge as City number one and it's good enough for me. Did anyone go to WBA because theres no way Smithies was MOTM and was at fault for 3 goals imo
That's me done on the matter
Let's get behind the players and manager because its damn boring to have these threads when theres so much still to play for.

Smithies for me.

now theres a surprise you and Thomas...

I just think he is a better all round keeper. I have no issue with Etheridge either to be honest.

We aren't the only ones. A lot of people on Facebook have said the same.

And I think im right in saying that there was a poll on here which I think Thomasblue started and it was 75% in favour of Etheridge, it means nothing I agree, but Warnock and Harris see Etheridge as City number one and it's good enough for me. Did anyone go to WBA because theres no way Smithies was MOTM and was at fault for 3 goals imo
That's me done on the matter
Let's get behind the players and manager because its damn boring to have these threads when theres so much still to play for.

I was there mate and in fairness he made a couple of decent saves...the goals ? ive seen worse conceded ,my point isn't that he is useless its more that the 3 were not great from a keeper point of view and he was only in as a replacement to start with...
I proper don't get the witch hunt..

Smithies for me.

now theres a surprise you and Thomas...

I just think he is a better all round keeper. I have no issue with Etheridge either to be honest.

We aren't the only ones. A lot of people on Facebook have said the same.

And I think im right in saying that there was a poll on here which I think Thomasblue started and it was 75% in favour of Etheridge, it means nothing I agree, but Warnock and Harris see Etheridge as City number one and it's good enough for me. Did anyone go to WBA because theres no way Smithies was MOTM and was at fault for 3 goals imo
That's me done on the matter
Let's get behind the players and manager because its damn boring to have these threads when theres so much still to play for.

I was there mate and in fairness he made a couple of decent saves...the goals ? ive seen worse conceded ,my point isn't that he is useless its more that the 3 were not great from a keeper point of view and he was only in as a replacement to start with...
I proper don't get the witch hunt..

You have summed it up there for me as I would be happy with Smithies if Etheridge was unavailable or sold. The witch hunt is uncalled for but it sums up our fans with agendas against certain players imo.
The stats that were posted here recently also proved Etheridge was the better keeper and that's the view I hold

Problem is you can nearly always point to his positioning as a likely reason for a goal? Free kick Barnsley and yesterday his position for goal was not brilliant considering it was a very slow header at near post he should have been looking at covering considering where cross was going! And you can point yo lot more this season... good shot stopper no doubt but its other aspects of his game thats the problem..

Where is this witch hunt people talk of.

Just because I have different opinion on who should be number 1 doesn't mean I'm right or wrong it's just preference.

Smithies kept getting stick for conceding goals outside the box and Etheridge has conceded plenty the same.

I like Etheridge and have no concern with him on goal but my opinion still remains that's if we can get a fee for him if certainly sell and use that money for other positions and personally I prefer Smithies anyway.

Both good keepers with pros and cons.

I would say tho I don't think Etheridge form is currently as good as it was last season or promotion season.

Problem is you can nearly always point to his positioning as a likely reason for a goal? Free kick Barnsley and yesterday his position for goal was not brilliant considering it was a very slow header at near post he should have been looking at covering considering where cross was going! And you can point yo lot more this season... good shot stopper no doubt but its other aspects of his game thats the problem..

waw

Where is this witch hunt people talk of.

Just because I have different opinion on who should be number 1 doesn't mean I'm right or wrong it's just preference.

Smithies kept getting stick for conceding goals outside the box and Etheridge has conceded plenty the same.

I like Etheridge and have no concern with him on goal but my opinion still remains that's if we can get a fee for him if certainly sell and use that money for other positions and personally I prefer Smithies anyway.

Both good keepers with pros and cons.

I would say tho I don't think Etheridge form is currently as good as it was last season or promotion season.

its not just from outside the area mate....the clue is in when both managers call the goal a screamer, a cracker. unbelievable… the Smithies ones are not described that way...when people were saying it they really didn't mean you just compare the distance. its inferred that that type of shot shouldn't be beating them...

Problem is you can nearly always point to his positioning as a likely reason for a goal? Free kick Barnsley and yesterday his position for goal was not brilliant considering it was a very slow header at near post he should have been looking at covering considering where cross was going! And you can point yo lot more this season... good shot stopper no doubt but its other aspects of his game thats the problem..

waw

You can see I prefer smithies!

Where is this witch hunt people talk of.

Just because I have different opinion on who should be number 1 doesn't mean I'm right or wrong it's just preference.

Smithies kept getting stick for conceding goals outside the box and Etheridge has conceded plenty the same.

I like Etheridge and have no concern with him on goal but my opinion still remains that's if we can get a fee for him if certainly sell and use that money for other positions and personally I prefer Smithies anyway.

Both good keepers with pros and cons.

I would say tho I don't think Etheridge form is currently as good as it was last season or promotion season.

its not just from outside the area mate....the clue is in when both managers call the goal a screamer, a cracker. unbelievable… the Smithies ones are not described that way...when people were saying it they really didn't mean you just compare the distance. its inferred that that type of shot shouldn't be beating them...

Watch the millwall goal back and keep a eye on Etheridge.
He is so far away from his left hand post he has to sprint across his goal rather than just adjust his feet, I'm not saying he should have saved it but he shouldn't be in that starting position he gave himself no chance at all

You must think we're barcelona the way everyone demands we need to be accurate with our goal-kicks. Etheridge's job is to pump the ball up away from our goal, if he miskicks it for a throw in at the halfway line then we either win it back from their throw in, or we push them back and defend from the front. Not ONCE have we conceded from any of his miskicks. Wether he's kicked it straight to players on the halfway line, or he stumbled at times, he has not been directly responsible for any goalkeeping errors leading to goals. Just look around the premiership, championship, league 1 and 2, and you'll find out there are ALOT of goalkeeping errors leading to goals.

I'm FAIRLY certain most of us here who are a reasonable person agrees that Etheridge is the best shot stopper, so I urge we stop with this bizzare idea that Smithies would be better because he's "better at kicking" PFFt! do me a favor.
U
He clearly isn't getting dropped. Everyone has stopped praising him when he saves us in games and makes good saves. For some reason the only time people mention Etheridge now is when he kicks it out of play 5 times in a game.

Smithies has conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game during his time as a championship player.


Etheridge has conceded an average of 1.0 goals per game during his time as a championship player.

Smithies has kept cleansheets in 20.4% of games in the championship
Etheridge has kept cleansheets in 36.5% of games in the championship

ONTOP of those stats, Etheridge has kept 10 cleansheets in the premier league!

Why are we throwing Etheridge under the bus all of a sudden, he's one of our best players. I assure you Smithies is nothing but Average at best. Neil Etheridge is more than average, and the two seasons before this one you would all have said the same thing. Yes his kicking is crap, but you don't see him EVER making howlers like De Gea is making do you, that has to count for something. Smithies has made alot of errors leading to goals in the past. Can we just be happy that we have a goalkeeper that has great reflexes, improvises incredible well and has always been a reliable shot stopper for us. Smithies has played 13 games and he's not looked particularly great, just "okay".

*Sorry for my rant, but rant over.

It's good to get it out my one concern with neil is he parries a lot more than needed for my nerves :laughing5,seems as if he's too frightened it won't stick? No bigger I know,but for me both have their pluses and negatives in their arsenal. :

Where is this witch hunt people talk of.

Just because I have different opinion on who should be number 1 doesn't mean I'm right or wrong it's just preference.

Smithies kept getting stick for conceding goals outside the box and Etheridge has conceded plenty the same.

I like Etheridge and have no concern with him on goal but my opinion still remains that's if we can get a fee for him if certainly sell and use that money for other positions and personally I prefer Smithies anyway.

Both good keepers with pros and cons.

I would say tho I don't think Etheridge form is currently as good as it was last season or promotion season.

its not just from outside the area mate....the clue is in when both managers call the goal a screamer, a cracker. unbelievable… the Smithies ones are not described that way...when people were saying it they really didn't mean you just compare the distance. its inferred that that type of shot shouldn't be beating them...

Watch the millwall goal back and keep a eye on Etheridge.
He is so far away from his left hand post he has to sprint across his goal rather than just adjust his feet, I'm not saying he should have saved it but he shouldn't be in that starting position he gave himself no chance at all[/quote


If look at their player he was only going to hit it one side and Etheridge should have had it covered better! If by miracle player went for opposite side good luck to him deserved a goal
But he didnt not 1st time Etheridge got position wrong on free kicks lucky not uo concede more.

Ridiculous post this.. people telling others not to have an opinion because it differs to theirs.

What’s this place for?

Where is this witch hunt people talk of.

Just because I have different opinion on who should be number 1 doesn't mean I'm right or wrong it's just preference.

Smithies kept getting stick for conceding goals outside the box and Etheridge has conceded plenty the same.

I like Etheridge and have no concern with him on goal but my opinion still remains that's if we can get a fee for him if certainly sell and use that money for other positions and personally I prefer Smithies anyway.

Both good keepers with pros and cons.

I would say tho I don't think Etheridge form is currently as good as it was last season or promotion season.

its not just from outside the area mate....the clue is in when both managers call the goal a screamer, a cracker. unbelievable… the Smithies ones are not described that way...when people were saying it they really didn't mean you just compare the distance. its inferred that that type of shot shouldn't be beating them...

Watch the millwall goal back and keep a eye on Etheridge.
He is so far away from his left hand post he has to sprint across his goal rather than just adjust his feet, I'm not saying he should have saved it but he shouldn't be in that starting position he gave himself no chance at all[/quote


If look at their player he was only going to hit it one side and Etheridge should have had it covered better! If by miracle player went for opposite side good luck to him deserved a goal
But he didnt not 1st time Etheridge got position wrong on free kicks lucky not uo concede more.

if by a miracle...you mean if Etheridge was covering where the ball went..jesus..why not just say you don't like his nose..ffs

Ridiculous post this.. people telling others not to have an opinion because it differs to theirs.

What’s this place for?

well he is our 1st choice keeper a big part of our promotion season and doesn't half get a slaughtering for doing very little wrong....
the thread showcases arguments that are incredibly unfair mate...and not football based tbh..
take a look at that jed Wallace free kick...if one of ours scored that everyone would be jumping around for 5 mins...if the goal had been scored by bale or Ronaldo in the champions lge 20 million people would be aghast in front of their TVS...the goal was described as unstoppable. spectacular. a stunning strike. and unbelievable by various media and the 2 managers... but a goalkeeping error by these 2 ..?
the criticism has been not been fair ..the comparison not level. and today some jaw dropping comments made about positioning ..these are not realistic criticisms …... by some miracle the player chooses the other corner ffs...really ?

Ridiculous post this.. people telling others not to have an opinion because it differs to theirs.

What’s this place for?

well he is our 1st choice keeper a big part of our promotion season and doesn't half get a slaughtering for doing very little wrong....
the thread showcases arguments that are incredibly unfair mate...and not football based tbh..
take a look at that jed Wallace free kick...if one of ours scored that everyone would be jumping around for 5 mins...if the goal had been scored by bale or Ronaldo in the champions lge 20 million people would be aghast in front of their TVS...the goal was described as unstoppable. spectacular. a stunning strike. and unbelievable by various media and the 2 managers... but a goalkeeping error by these 2 ..?
the criticism has been not been fair ..the comparison not level. and today some jaw dropping comments made about positioning ..these are not realistic criticisms …... by some miracle the player chooses the other corner ffs...really ?

You just dont like it when people opinion differs from yours.

No he was not at fault for the goal and he probably wouldnt have saved it anyway it was a great free kick. That does not change the fact he was still in a poor starting position . He had to sprint across his goal ffs. That was poor goalkeeping by any standards.

You have to look at everything about the goal not just the strike, the point is it has happened a few times and he really should be better. His positioning and shot stopping was always very good but hes gone backwards this season.

Ridiculous post this.. people telling others not to have an opinion because it differs to theirs.

What’s this place for?

well he is our 1st choice keeper a big part of our promotion season and doesn't half get a slaughtering for doing very little wrong....
the thread showcases arguments that are incredibly unfair mate...and not football based tbh..
take a look at that jed Wallace free kick...if one of ours scored that everyone would be jumping around for 5 mins...if the goal had been scored by bale or Ronaldo in the champions lge 20 million people would be aghast in front of their TVS...the goal was described as unstoppable. spectacular. a stunning strike. and unbelievable by various media and the 2 managers... but a goalkeeping error by these 2 ..?
the criticism has been not been fair ..the comparison not level. and today some jaw dropping comments made about positioning ..these are not realistic criticisms …... by some miracle the player chooses the other corner ffs...really ?

You just dont like it when people opinion differs from yours.

No he was not at fault for the goal and he probably wouldnt have saved it anyway it was a great free kick. That does not change the fact he was still in a poor starting position . He had to sprint across his goal ffs. That was poor goalkeeping by any standards.

You have to look at everything about the goal not just the strike, the point is it has happened a few times and he really should be better. His positioning and shot stopping was always very good but hes gone backwards this season.

L


The strike was perfect but the positioning of Etheridge was not? Player was positioned to hit ball to Etheridges near post and as such he should have been more that side ! There was little or no chance he was going to hit ball otherside of Etheridge with wall position way it was. And as you say and I've said his positioning at freekicks has been suspect previously .

Ridiculous post this.. people telling others not to have an opinion because it differs to theirs.

What’s this place for?

well he is our 1st choice keeper a big part of our promotion season and doesn't half get a slaughtering for doing very little wrong....
the thread showcases arguments that are incredibly unfair mate...and not football based tbh..
take a look at that jed Wallace free kick...if one of ours scored that everyone would be jumping around for 5 mins...if the goal had been scored by bale or Ronaldo in the champions lge 20 million people would be aghast in front of their TVS...the goal was described as unstoppable. spectacular. a stunning strike. and unbelievable by various media and the 2 managers... but a goalkeeping error by these 2 ..?
the criticism has been not been fair ..the comparison not level. and today some jaw dropping comments made about positioning ..these are not realistic criticisms …... by some miracle the player chooses the other corner ffs...really ?

You just dont like it when people opinion differs from yours.

No he was not at fault for the goal and he probably wouldnt have saved it anyway it was a great free kick. That does not change the fact he was still in a poor starting position . He had to sprint across his goal ffs. That was poor goalkeeping by any standards.

You have to look at everything about the goal not just the strike, the point is it has happened a few times and he really should be better. His positioning and shot stopping was always very good but hes gone backwards this season.

L


The strike was perfect but the positioning of Etheridge was not? Player was positioned to hit ball to Etheridges near post and as such he should have been more that side ! There was little or no chance he was going to hit ball otherside of Etheridge with wall position way it was. And as you say and I've said his positioning at freekicks has been suspect previously .[/quo



so the strike was perfect..
you two need to be on an on the ball comic relief sketch.
honestly try telling this rubbish to a player or our manager and see how long the straight face lasts....

Ridiculous post this.. people telling others not to have an opinion because it differs to theirs.

What’s this place for?

well he is our 1st choice keeper a big part of our promotion season and doesn't half get a slaughtering for doing very little wrong....
the thread showcases arguments that are incredibly unfair mate...and not football based tbh..
take a look at that jed Wallace free kick...if one of ours scored that everyone would be jumping around for 5 mins...if the goal had been scored by bale or Ronaldo in the champions lge 20 million people would be aghast in front of their TVS...the goal was described as unstoppable. spectacular. a stunning strike. and unbelievable by various media and the 2 managers... but a goalkeeping error by these 2 ..?
the criticism has been not been fair ..the comparison not level. and today some jaw dropping comments made about positioning ..these are not realistic criticisms …... by some miracle the player chooses the other corner ffs...really ?

You just dont like it when people opinion differs from yours.

No he was not at fault for the goal and he probably wouldnt have saved it anyway it was a great free kick. That does not change the fact he was still in a poor starting position . He had to sprint across his goal ffs. That was poor goalkeeping by any standards.

You have to look at everything about the goal not just the strike, the point is it has happened a few times and he really should be better. His positioning and shot stopping was always very good but hes gone backwards this season.

The free kick was a worldie imo and just about unstoppable though I guess you will say different.
Your point about Etheridge being in a poor position is totally wrong as the wall is set to his left and he takes the right to the middle position. I'm sure the coaching manuel's tell you this but you still choose to have a pop and not to tip your cap and say it was a world class strike as many in the ground said.
You will tell us next Madine is our number one centre forward and Glatzel is rubbish.

Anyway you have your opinion but I feel it's more of a dig of our number one keeper

Smithies for me - thought he was unlucky to be dropped as started to look a decent keeper once he got some games under his belt.

People talk about the positioning of Etheridge and how he positions himself well - Bristol City if you watch the goal back he is nearly at his six yard line with the ball outside the box - to far from the line in that situation - that’s just one example - on the lone he saves it

His kicking and distribution is poor and you have to remember when we don’t have the ball much retention is vital as you keep inviting pressure back on you - whilst his poor distribution might not directly lead to the goal no rest bite for the defenders will increase errors.

I don’t hound a player I just give my opinion good or bad and how I see it