Dave watson

He was probably 27 when he finally retired but he didn't play (other than testimonial appearances) after the Norwich game right at the start of the 98/99 season.

He played his last competitive game at the age of 24.

He was without doubt the best keeper I've seen for Barnsley, honourable mentions also for muller and even Luke Steele, but he was different. Made saves others could only dream of, and he was only 5'10" or 5'11".

Crosses weren't his biggest strength - his height probably the reason - but I wouldn't star him to be hugely weak. And he never played after the age of 24.

He's only 41 now - he might even have still been playing. But I will argue with anyone who fancies it that he would have been the best English goalkeeper in the premier league throughout the 2000's. If Chris Kirkland, Scott Carson, Richard Wright and rob green were good enough for England then dear me, he had to have been capped. Better than James and Robinson? I'd say he would have been in the right side.

Had he stayed fit for us I reckon we'd have got at least ten more points in the playoff season under bassett, and gone up in the top two. He was streets ahead of Kevin Miller.

I remember a testimonial preseason game years ago against a Man Utd 11. Might have been big Eric's testimonial. He came on second half, legends side. Knackered knee and all he made a worldy of a save down to he bottom corner.

Never played after 24. I shudder to think what he'd have been like at 28-34 in his 'prime' - I reckon in a champions league side winning honours.

 

Sorry but he wasn't,t that good your having a laugh champions league.

 

I love looking back at some of the players we had in the promotion and the Premier League sides - but I wince at some of the rose tinted spectacles recollections.

Dave Watson was a superb shot stopper - definitely top flight in his reflexes, his positioning, he got back up amazingly quickly and I saw him make some double saves that anyone would be proud of.

His kicking at times wasn't in the same league as that though - without being a massive weakness - but he wasn't the best at kicking off the ground (anyone can kick out of their hands). He distributed reasonably well with long throws though and he didn't hold on too long when he could get an attack going.

But in the air? Watson was one of the worst keepers in the air that I've seen. At times he lost all confidence and became jittery and we ended up pinned back with a succession of long balls and crosses that another keeper would've eaten.

Away at Wolves we were 3-1 up and cruising at half time - playing them to death. So in the second half they stuck on an extra centre forward and just bullied Watson with long balls down his throat. We ended up defending deeper and deeper, and inevitably could hold on. We drew - what was a very important game - 3-3.

As has been said - we always had a chance of saving a penalty - we always had a chance one on one - but if the opponents did their home work they'd know that they needs to get at Watson with long balls. You'd see the whole defence lose confidence, pinned to the goal line.

Richard Wright was more imposing - probably as good a shot stopper (he was amazing with penalties) - but he went to Arsenal too young and he was never the same. He was immense for Ipswich, and I would say, all in all as good as - possibly better - than Watson was during that golden period with us.

I couldn't ever see Watson being THE MAN for a big club, but I thought he would have to make a decision as to whether he would be the goalkeeper week in and week out for a yo-yo club, or the second string choice for a much bigger side.

I think the talk of England and Champions League is daft. Not to say that he wouldn't have picked up a cap - maybe - with a bit of luck - but he wasn't quite the complete goalkeeper. He was a very good goalkeeper and a model professional, and I imagine he is a superb coach and a complete gentleman - but to be fair it's easy to get carried away, particularly as his career was ended in such a cruel way.

 

Well each to their own opinion wise but I reckon some of you need to remember the 'poor' performances you are quoting would have been when he was in his late teens or very early twenties.

Petr Cech isn't very good with the ball at his feet either. And Watson was better than the likes of Mark Schwarzer with ball at his feet. Schmeichel wasn't great.

He would have coached on. As keepers tend to up until at least their late twenties - the fact he is such a fantastic keeper coach proves he had the knowledge and desire to do so.

 

Third best for me. I think Heinz was the best closely followed by Harry Hough.

 

Great shot stopper one of the best IMO very vociferous with the defence as well which always goes a long way

 

I don't think it'd be incorrect to say he would've won a decent number of England caps. As people have said, he's only 41 now. I could easily see him playing for us between 2006 - 2010, when we were relying on Scott Carson, Rob Green and David James.

 

That's pretty much how I sum up Dave Watson's career as well. I remember that game at Wolves very well, a better goalkeeper would have ensured 3 points for us that day.

Dave was a good goalkeeper and suffered a really cruel end to his career but I don't know if he would have gone to achieve the greatness that others believe he would have.

I am however very pleased for him that he has gone on and worked with the England team, it's a proud achievement for both himself and the town.

 

Was it Norwich he was injured? I thought it was Bolton with a challenge from Jamie Pollock? Maybe time is playing tricks with my memory...

Agree with others. Great shot stopper, fallible on crosses but also a great sweeper, read the game well. Not me to was he was amazing in a 1v1. Probably one of the few times you'd fancy the keeper to save it.

Don't think he'd have made it to England level though.

Edit: just checked it was indeed Norwich.

 

Great shot stopper, bit suspect on crossers. little short in the height department for me to be a top keeper..

 

Edit: just checked it was indeed Norwich.[/QUOTE]

Don't you mess with my, err, mmmm, thingy, what ya call it? That thingy? Crikey? Ya know..... that...... Memory! That's the one

 

Amazed that nobody's picked up on the fact that he's now the England Goalkeeping Coachc and is at Roy Hodgson's side at every game overseeing the substitutions, briefing the Subs before they go on. Went to the World Cup in Brazil as part of the Backroom Staff.

 

That's been well documented on here.many times.tbh

 

Good shot stopper, brilliant sweeping up behind the defence (remember this being highlighted on motd) weak at crosses. Also seemed to get lobbed a lot

Shame his career ended early.

in my opinion though Heinz Muller is the best i have seen at oakwell by a mile