[BFC SITE] MURPHY COOPER JOINS THE REDS

This window should be about getting our cost base down significantly. I'd very much hope we're paying hardly anything of his wages.

He's somebody else's young keeper though. We have two young keepers of our own. I just don't think a mid table league one side should have 3 keepers. If yours get injured, you can sign emergency loans. So on that basis, I'd assume we're sending one of ours out on loan.

We've got to get a grip of this squad, the numbers and the balance. That will take time, but I really hope we don't bring in 4 or 5 players before we offload some of the deadwood.

 

Will he be an improvement on our present goalkeeping stock?

Nobody knows. But it's probable.

All we do know is that the hierarchy don't think our present stock is yet fit to be no.1.

I'd have preferred an older head with experience - goalies get better with age.

But we'll see.

 

[QUOTE="Skryptic, One of the best players in the league at his position last season. The problem with loans is they often arrive too late, with clubs trying to shift them on deadline day. Getting a keeper in early lets him work with the defence in pre-season. Good bit of business

We’re just missing a decent defence now

 

Optimistic about this one. Certainly getting good reviews from Stevenage fans.

I reckon the defence in front of him at Stevenage last season was a lot better than the defence we had though so let’s hope we can get organised in front of him.

 

Murphy
Cooper
Jackson
Smith
Flavell

Should be well off for keepers this season.

 

He looks solid, has a good record at the level and it appears on the face of it that he’s an improvement on both Smith and Flavell.

BUT

If we are as skint as is to be believed; if we are struggling as much as has been asserted and summised, was a goalkeeper a necessary addition?

I imagine Smith may leave and possibly permanently. Bringing in someone three or four years younger than him on loan from QPR isn’t saying much for his rating here. He’d be better off starting again.

If that was to happen, this is an excellent bit of business. It’s a good bit of business regardless - but not in an area I felt was a top priority on a restricted budget.

 

Not everyone's first choice of position to fill but the defence last year was woefully inadequate so well done to the club for making a very good signing..keep this level incoming and it's going to be interesting..

 

So if a fresh goalie wasn't a top priority, who would you have had in goal at the start of the season?

Presumably Flavell?

He's great with his feet but he's not (yet) a good enough shot stopper. On crosses, I'm out with the jury.

Goalkeeping is as crucial as having a reliable striker.

 

He's only 2 months younger than Smith, both born 2001, Smith in October, Cooper in December.

 

Flavell didn't overly impress last season easily third choice and expect he goes out on loan

 

That would suggest we have a defence

 

Smith. But given he’s not going to be number one I’d sell him. Flavell is fine as number two.