No where near as good, Luke has seriously been very very poor this season, he needs to book his ideas up. He's a liability, and "will" cost us points.
Steeley's as good as we can hope for at this level. Good keeper, although even he would probably admit that he's not been at his best when he's played this season. Luke has great agility and shot-stopping ability, while Butland's quite a lot better at commanding his area IMO. They've both made mistakes but for me, Butland just shades it between the two of them. Not exactly light and day though for me.
I think he's a shocking keeper, just really wish he'd command his area, and kick straight with both feet. He would be a championship keeper then, really hope he comes back and proves me wrong.
I like Steele. At his best his makes saves that he shouldn't make, incredible shot stopper. But if he's off colour, his kicking worsens, he's very jittery on crosses and his game deteriorates quite badly under pressure. That said, I've been very disappointed with Butland who has played for England and suggested to be a future regular. His handling is very poor. Watch him in the warm up and how many straight forward shots he spills. He comes across as quite lazy too and wastes a lot of time (not sure that's under instruction). He's had some decent games, but he's had nowhere near the amount of shots to save that Steele had. If Steele played instead of the games Butland has started and vice versa... would the goals conceded have been much different? I'm not sure they would be to be honest.
Butland has had what, 13 games for us? And folk are saying they've seen enough in that time to say he's better than a keeper of 200 games for us? A keeper that saves more penalties than he lets in? A keeper that has been crucial to us staying up the last two years? A keeper who on debut had a performance I have never seen matched by any keeper in any match? Aye oreight. Let's ignore facts, deride our long serving heroes and kiss the arses of loanees who have no intention of staying here permanently. For **** sake.
Sorry Whitey but it doesn't matter how many games hes played. You could see Stones was better than Wiseman or Hassell straight away, doesn't matter how many games they've played.
Exactly that, there's nowt much between them. Butland will probably go on to have a better career, but we're not talking about the 'keeper Butland will go on to be, we're talking about who is the best for our club right now. Hardly any difference for me, they're both good, but both will make the odd mistake. It's a pleasure to see either of them in a Barnsley shirt to be honest. I like seeing quality play for Barnsley.
Am not saying he's a bad shot stopper, he is one of the best shot stopper in the league. It's the other attributes, kicking is like when you slice a shot at golf, I dread us conceding a corner a cringe with fear "is he guna flap". All this about loyalty, if he had a better deal else where, he would have gone by now. That's the modern day footballer.
Steele is a good goalkeeper, Butland is a very good goalkeeper. Butland will no doubt go on to have a top career. Hopefully Danny can give Steele his confidence back and remind him he's a good keeper, because he forgot earlier in the season and didn't play too well (admittedly, behind a poor defence). If Steele can get back to his best then we have a keeper as good as can be found at our level. In fact, we have a good enough first team to be doing much better than we are, so hopefully they'll respond to the change in management and show some of the ability and fight they showed last season.
I'd go for Butland being slightly better than Steele. He's a lot younger and has the potential to have a great career at a high level, but it won't be with us. Luke is our player and, in my opinion, is a very good Championship goalkeeper. I don't know when Butland returns to Stoke, just hope Steele is fit and ready to take his place when he does.
