Viking Supporters Co-operative

Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Spilsby Red on September 20, 2025, 04:55:51 pm

Title: Lawlor
Post by: Spilsby Red on September 20, 2025, 04:55:51 pm
No is the time to give him the chance
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: tingleyrover on September 20, 2025, 05:02:43 pm
Agree. For me, TLT has lost the shirt and now it’s Lawlor’s to lose.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Bills view on September 20, 2025, 05:05:37 pm
His confidence is shot.

He can’t catch and he can’t kick.

Fundamentals for a keeper.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Stewmaiden79 on September 20, 2025, 05:09:48 pm
Lawlor will start Wednesday and if he plays half decent he’ll probably start against Luton.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ForsolongaRover on September 20, 2025, 05:11:14 pm
His confidence is shot.

He can’t catch and he can’t kick.

Fundamentals for a keeper.

He catches the ball like a basketball player rather than clutching it to his chest; it seems such a fundamental technical error in a professional keeper.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Spilsby Red on September 20, 2025, 05:15:06 pm
TSL is a far superior keeper
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: mushRTID on September 20, 2025, 05:20:56 pm
Absolutely garbage.

Their first he was stood towards that post. I don’t know how it’s gone in.

The second he seemed to fall to the floor rather than a proper dive. The shot wasn’t in the corner.

Very soft all round.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ravenrover on September 20, 2025, 05:22:35 pm
TSL is a far superior keeper
And?
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Fal on September 20, 2025, 05:28:23 pm
He definitely needs a break from the team, his confidence has definitely dropped.

He is a good keeper, just having a mare of it at the minute, needs an arm round him to boost him back up.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Prez on September 20, 2025, 05:34:14 pm
Absolutely garbage.

Their first he was stood towards that post. I don’t know how it’s gone in.

The second he seemed to fall to the floor rather than a proper dive. The shot wasn’t in the corner.

Very soft all round.

Horrific from TLT.

Lets not forget the corner came from his dropped attempt, then nearly gave a pen away, then stood on his line for their first.

Last 6 goals conceded have all been errors, or should have done much better.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: DonnyOsmond on September 20, 2025, 05:36:55 pm
TSL is a far superior keeper

He really isn't. Bolton fans think he's horrific. Some of our fans have a weird obsession with the guy with the second worst save percentage in League One.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: DonnyOsmond on September 20, 2025, 05:38:26 pm
TLT was poor today and over the last 3 games he has definitely struggled, however, unsure on whether the weather conditions today contributed to that. Like has been mentioned further up, Lawlor will play next and if he does well then he starts in the league.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: DonnyRover on September 20, 2025, 05:39:37 pm
TLT is turning into a certified donkey, Lawlor must start against spurs and even if we lose 10-0, give him a go in the league
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ForsolongaRover on September 20, 2025, 05:41:59 pm
He definitely needs a break from the team, his confidence has definitely dropped.

He is a good keeper, just having a mare of it at the minute, needs an arm round him to boost him back up.

Are you sure that he was really tested in his first spell? I certainly didn’t notice how unconventional his handling was. I do remember the Gillingham incident which was reminiscent of some of his recent eccentricities, but we just wrote it off at the time.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Padge_DRFC on September 20, 2025, 05:47:11 pm
He's been largely poor since coming back.

Caller on football heaven called out the other 10 players not doing their jobs. Really daft phone call, Wimbledon doing a job on us. They'd not until the TLT gifted them the game.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: DonnyOsmond on September 20, 2025, 05:47:38 pm
He definitely needs a break from the team, his confidence has definitely dropped.

He is a good keeper, just having a mare of it at the minute, needs an arm round him to boost him back up.

Are you sure that he was really tested in his first spell? I certainly didn’t notice how unconventional his handling was. I do remember the Gillingham incident which was reminiscent of some of his recent eccentricities, but we just wrote it off at the time.

When we went from one of the worst teams in the league to 5th place? Yeah, you're probably right he was never challenged...

 :suicide:
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: RugbyRover on September 20, 2025, 05:51:31 pm
Someone once said its funny how players not playing in a losing team suddenly become worldbeaters.

Lawlor might have had one good cup game but there's a reason no one was clamoring for him to get a new contract after his first stint here.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: RugbyRover on September 20, 2025, 05:54:09 pm
He definitely needs a break from the team, his confidence has definitely dropped.

He is a good keeper, just having a mare of it at the minute, needs an arm round him to boost him back up.

Are you sure that he was really tested in his first spell? I certainly didn’t notice how unconventional his handling was. I do remember the Gillingham incident which was reminiscent of some of his recent eccentricities, but we just wrote it off at the time.

When we went from one of the worst teams in the league to 5th place? Yeah, you're probably right he was never challenged...

 :suicide:

I'd give our back four at the time a lot of credit for that. Like he says how much did TLT really have to do? Pipe and slippers most matches.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ForsolongaRover on September 20, 2025, 05:56:03 pm
He definitely needs a break from the team, his confidence has definitely dropped.

He is a good keeper, just having a mare of it at the minute, needs an arm round him to boost him back up.

Are you sure that he was really tested in his first spell? I certainly didn’t notice how unconventional his handling was. I do remember the Gillingham incident which was reminiscent of some of his recent eccentricities, but we just wrote it off at the time.

When we went from one of the worst teams in the league to 5th place? Yeah, you're probably right he was never challenged...

 :suicide:

So when was he really challenged? Was he ever MoM?
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: vaya on September 20, 2025, 05:58:59 pm
He definitely needs a break from the team, his confidence has definitely dropped.

He is a good keeper, just having a mare of it at the minute, needs an arm round him to boost him back up.

Are you sure that he was really tested in his first spell? I certainly didn’t notice how unconventional his handling was. I do remember the Gillingham incident which was reminiscent of some of his recent eccentricities, but we just wrote it off at the time.

When we went from one of the worst teams in the league to 5th place? Yeah, you're probably right he was never challenged...

 :suicide:

So when was he really challenged? Was he ever MoM?

How often do you see any keeper being given MOTM?
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: StocksArmy on September 20, 2025, 06:01:20 pm
Shouting “WHAYYYYYYYY” when he catches a ball bouncing towards him will certainly help nobody. I do wish we got 30,000 fans a game to drown out this sort of stupidity from so called supporters.

Having said that… TLT needs to be taken out the firing line for a few games. His errors will now breed uncertainty between the defenders. His nerves will be shot to bits after another poor performance.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Jersey Rover on September 20, 2025, 06:08:38 pm
There is no doubt his confidence gone. Even in the first half, Wimbledon put in a few crosses into the 6 yard box and it was noticeable he never attempted to collect or get something on them. Definite sign that confidence is shot when you stay put and hope someone else deals with it. Give him a break, up to Lawlor now to keep the shirt.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: mushRTID on September 20, 2025, 06:10:22 pm
I can agree his confidence has gone.

But the question is why? Until last week we were 2nd in the league and we hadn’t been hammered.
He’d not had any stick at games.

Seems to have gone very easily.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: GazLaz on September 20, 2025, 06:15:11 pm
You don’t lose all ability in a week. Stick with him and he’ll be fine.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on September 20, 2025, 06:18:00 pm
You don’t lose all ability in a week. Stick with him and he’ll be fine.

I agree. Keepers make mistakes and have bad runs just like non scoring strikers do.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: CheeseToastie on September 20, 2025, 06:22:06 pm
It's when he catches crosses at chest height rather than above his head that throws me off
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: DonnyOsmond on September 20, 2025, 06:23:43 pm
It's when he catches crosses at chest height rather than above his head that throws me off

Chad Bradford.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: jmt23 on September 20, 2025, 06:24:43 pm
I also listened to the radio Sheffield caller, and was in disbelief with his comments on TLT, but I do agree we were poor all over the pitch, with only Maxwell looking decent.

I am concerned about player fitness at the moment, a few lads were really struggling, some from the first half.
Sterry is clearly not ready for first team football, and I’m not sure McGrath is either,  why risk anything with our squad size.

As to why TLT is clearly shot confidence wise - he knows he has been th3 culprit for everyone of the goals against in the last 3 games, and he made the same mistakes again, it would play on anyone’s mind, and will not be helped by mindless cheering when he does catch something.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: In the box on September 20, 2025, 07:00:43 pm
No is the time to give him the chance
it must be very frustrating know he is second best to loan keeper responsible for the last two defeats ..
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: McCammon egg n chips on September 20, 2025, 07:34:23 pm
Obviously TLT is now in poor form but what the hell..

He's lost the shirt?
He's now a donkey?
Needs a break from the team?

f**k sake how fickle can you get. We're not playing footy manager here. Time to put an arm round him and get his confidence back up. He hasn't forgotten how to be a keeper in three games.

Find it mad how you call for his head after literally three bad games. Jonathan Mitchell he is not.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: DonnyOsmond on September 20, 2025, 07:36:55 pm
No is the time to give him the chance
it must be very frustrating know he is second best to loan keeper responsible for the last two defeats ..

Wigan were just better than us, even with prime Buffon we'd have lost that game.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: jmt23 on September 20, 2025, 07:48:29 pm
Wigan were far better than us, but how many other goals discounting the ones quite literally handed to them would they have scored? Same with Bradford, and today Wimbledon. The answer is 0
As with other players like Hanlan, Gibbo, Sbarra, he has to drop him, and even more so now, as he was clearly carrying the burden of those mishaps and looked shakey all game to me.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Branton Red on September 20, 2025, 07:55:44 pm
In the last 3 games Rovers have conceded 6 goals all stemming, to a degree, from keeper errors.

Stating the above isn't being fickle or being hysterical it's pointing out a basic fact.

No team can afford to continue playing a keeper who on average makes 2 goal conceding mistakes per game.

These mistakes have cost us 3 points today and any realistic chance of earning any points at Wigan.

It's a concern that our first choice goalkeeper appears to have lost so much confidence so quickly.

He looked super nervous and an accident waiting to happen all the game today.

It therefore makes perfect sense to give the opinion that Lawlor should start the next league game.

Surely this is the sort of situation that Rovers have an experienced back up keeper on the books for?
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: tingleyrover on September 20, 2025, 08:16:29 pm
Obviously TLT is now in poor form but what the hell..

He's lost the shirt?
He's now a donkey?
Needs a break from the team?

f**k sake how fickle can you get. We're not playing footy manager here. Time to put an arm round him and get his confidence back up. He hasn't forgotten how to be a keeper in three games.

Find it mad how you call for his head after literally three bad games. Jonathan Mitchell he is not.

That’s not been fickle. It’s stating a fact. We were told that we have 2 11’s and the players not playing would push those that were to be better. A misfiring striker or midfielder, you’d want changed.

Here we have a goalkeeper whose mistakes have cost us the last 6 goals we have conceded. Time to give the understudy a chance to claim his place starting.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: drfchound on September 20, 2025, 08:20:41 pm
Obviously TLT is now in poor form but what the hell..

He's lost the shirt?
He's now a donkey?
Needs a break from the team?

f**k sake how fickle can you get. We're not playing footy manager here. Time to put an arm round him and get his confidence back up. He hasn't forgotten how to be a keeper in three games.

Find it mad how you call for his head after literally three bad games. Jonathan Mitchell he is not.

That’s not been fickle. It’s stating a fact. We were told that we have 2 11’s and the players not playing would push those that were to be better. A misfiring striker or midfielder, you’d want changed.

Here we have a goalkeeper whose mistakes have cost us the last 6 goals we have conceded. Time to give the understudy a chance to claim his place starting.

That was more or less the conversation we had in the car on the way home after the game.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: scawsby steve on September 20, 2025, 09:55:06 pm
OK, guys, perspective. Yes, TLT is a talented young keeper. Yes, he was brilliant for us 2 seasons ago. Yes, he has great rapport with the fans.

However, none of the above gives him a free pass into the team, when his form is clearly shot. To keep getting picked when he's making errors week after week is clearly unfair on Lawlor, who hasn't put a foot wrong in 3 cup games.

Depending on how he performs at Spurs, Lawlor must surely be in contention for the Luton game.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Donnybax on September 20, 2025, 10:49:50 pm
He was brilliant in his first spell with us but he's barely played since. He's rusty. I'd stick with him he's got a very high ceiling
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: jmt23 on September 20, 2025, 11:41:57 pm
I’m not so sure judging Lawlor against spurs is a fair barometer.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Pancho Regan on September 20, 2025, 11:48:27 pm
TSL is a far superior keeper

He plays for Bolton.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: McCammon egg n chips on September 20, 2025, 11:52:12 pm
Sensitive sallys tonight aren't we.

This has nothing to do with being in love with TLT, for what it's worth I've never got the obsession with him, rapport with fans seems overblown etc.

But he's obviously a decent enough keeper and has come in as number 1.

Yes he's had a poor few games. But you don't get success chopping and changing keepers. It never works, it just destabilises.

If we had a really amazing keeper on the bench maybe I'd reassess, but I'm sorry, Lawlor couldn't even make #1 at league 2 level. He is not the answer. If we lose faith with TLT then he'll be shipped back and another loaner brought in.

But that's not happening. It's time to double down and back TLT. If he does turn out to be the second coming of Jonathan Mitchell in a few games time then maybe we'll pivot. But for now, I back him.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: scawsby steve on September 21, 2025, 02:49:46 am
Sensitive sallys tonight aren't we.

This has nothing to do with being in love with TLT, for what it's worth I've never got the obsession with him, rapport with fans seems overblown etc.

But he's obviously a decent enough keeper and has come in as number 1.

Yes he's had a poor few games. But you don't get success chopping and changing keepers. It never works, it just destabilises.

If we had a really amazing keeper on the bench maybe I'd reassess, but I'm sorry, Lawlor couldn't even make #1 at league 2 level. He is not the answer. If we lose faith with TLT then he'll be shipped back and another loaner brought in.

But that's not happening. It's time to double down and back TLT. If he does turn out to be the second coming of Jonathan Mitchell in a few games time then maybe we'll pivot. But for now, I back him.

How can another loaner be brought in before January? So you weren't impressed with Lawlor in the 3 cup games?

Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: McCammon egg n chips on September 21, 2025, 07:27:59 am
Obviously I'm talking about January.

Yes he's played well in his cup appearances so far.

But I just don't believe he's a serious #1 over the long term (either does GM) and I don't think short term destabilise TLT by dropping him is what's needed.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: drfcsteve on September 21, 2025, 08:56:31 am
Question, if Lawler wasn’t good enough in league 2 (and let’s face it hasn’t been good enough the entire time he’s been here) then why all of a sudden should he be first choice? Because he made a few good saves against Middlesbrough? People need to be careful what they wish for.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ForsolongaRover on September 21, 2025, 12:17:08 pm
Sensitive sallys tonight aren't we.

This has nothing to do with being in love with TLT, for what it's worth I've never got the obsession with him, rapport with fans seems overblown etc.

But he's obviously a decent enough keeper and has come in as number 1.

Yes he's had a poor few games. But you don't get success chopping and changing keepers. It never works, it just destabilises.

If we had a really amazing keeper on the bench maybe I'd reassess, but I'm sorry, Lawlor couldn't even make #1 at league 2 level. He is not the answer. If we lose faith with TLT then he'll be shipped back and another loaner brought in.

But that's not happening. It's time to double down and back TLT. If he does turn out to be the second coming of Jonathan Mitchell in a few games time then maybe we'll pivot. But for now, I back him.

How can another loaner be brought in before January? So you weren't impressed with Lawlor in the 3 cup games?

Obviuosly, we don’t select the team, but we are emotionally invested in its fortunes and people feel upset. Selecting a team is not based on a single factor, and it’s not our decision anyway, but we spectators are entitled to opinions and picking teams is based primarily on performance, not loyalty.

A change might well be beneficial for the player as well as the team. I’m no great fan of Lawlor, but he could feel justifiably upset if the manager did not very seriously consider a change. Whether he is considered of a suitable standard for League 1 is not the point, the point is that we need to put someone there who will more effective on current form. This is not an argument to have TLT dropped after one substandard performance, but similar mistakes in a succession of matches cannot be ignored. McCann’s decisions have to be primarily to sustain the team’s performance, not to protect the feelings of individuals.

Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: EasyforDennis on September 21, 2025, 03:16:14 pm
Sensitive sallys tonight aren't we.

This has nothing to do with being in love with TLT, for what it's worth I've never got the obsession with him, rapport with fans seems overblown etc.

But he's obviously a decent enough keeper and has come in as number 1.

Yes he's had a poor few games. But you don't get success chopping and changing keepers. It never works, it just destabilises.

If we had a really amazing keeper on the bench maybe I'd reassess, but I'm sorry, Lawlor couldn't even make #1 at league 2 level. He is not the answer. If we lose faith with TLT then he'll be shipped back and another loaner brought in.

But that's not happening. It's time to double down and back TLT. If he does turn out to be the second coming of Jonathan Mitchell in a few games time then maybe we'll pivot. But for now, I back him.

How can another loaner be brought in before January? So you weren't impressed with Lawlor in the 3 cup games?

Obviuosly, we don’t select the team, but we are emotionally invested in its fortunes and people feel upset. Selecting a team is not based on a single factor, and it’s not our decision anyway, but we spectators are entitled to opinions and picking teams is based primarily on performance, not loyalty.

A change might well be beneficial for the player as well as the team. I’m no great fan of Lawlor, but he could feel justifiably upset if the manager did not very seriously consider a change. Whether he is considered of a suitable standard for League 1 is not the point, the point is that we need to put someone there who will more effective on current form. This is not an argument to have TLT dropped after one substandard performance, but similar mistakes in a succession of matches cannot be ignored. McCann’s decisions have to be primarily to sustain the team’s performance, not to protect the feelings of individuals.

So if the criteria of mistakes being made is to be used to justify dropping TLT then shouldn't Molyneux be dropped having not contributed a great deal recently?  :chair:
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Donnybax on September 21, 2025, 05:08:23 pm
I agree he wasn't great but he did contribute the assist to our only goal...
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: EasyforDennis on September 21, 2025, 05:27:40 pm
A corner FFS
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Donnybax on September 21, 2025, 05:29:53 pm
A corner FFS
yes?
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ForsolongaRover on September 21, 2025, 06:23:51 pm
Have we got an obvious replacement for Moly? I think GKs are a special case.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: i_ateallthepies on September 22, 2025, 04:56:32 pm
Scored a terrific goal against Bradford
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: jmt23 on September 24, 2025, 09:52:23 pm
Well what now, Grant would maybe have know. A few goals would go in, or certainly expect a busy night for Lawlor, and surely if you are Lawlor you are thinking as long as I don’t make a mistake I’m in the team against Luton. Then he makes that bad mistake for the first which is as bad as TLT at Wigan.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: drfcsteve on September 24, 2025, 09:53:44 pm
Leopard can’t change its spots. First goal was classic Lawler.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: drfchound on September 24, 2025, 09:55:55 pm
Other than that error he had a very good game.
Some very good saves and his kicking was excellent.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: glosterred on September 24, 2025, 10:00:01 pm
I would be starting Lawlor over TLT at Luton on Saturday


COYR
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: Bristol Red Rover on September 24, 2025, 10:29:20 pm
He didn't have a bad game overall. As said, some good saves and very good distribution. But that was a howler for the first, and I think he was very poor for the second - should have caught or pushed that out. Third he was very unlucky, nearly an excellent save.

I think he needs/deserves a run of a few games.
Title: Re: Lawlor
Post by: ncRover on September 24, 2025, 10:42:20 pm
Starting Lawlor over TLT would be madness.

He hasn’t been a regular no.1 at this level for seven years.

And he couldn’t get a game for us in League 2 or for Dundee in the Scottish second tier even.

TLT will improve.