TLT

[grayx]

On another day? He kept us in the game up to their goal?

TLT is the better keeper as things stand. We have a much more pressing issue up the top end of the pitch, imho.

Spot on..

[ForsolongaRover]

TSL is a good deal younger than TLT and the latter will have had the benefit of the Hull City coaches for some time now. What he will have lacked there has been league match experience. In comparison, TSL, with the additional top notch grounding of schooling in the Chelsea academy and match experience with us, will naturally have been more responsive to coaching.

What worries me about TLT is that he does not appear to capture the ball safely and I refer to the conventional clasping it to the chest and then dropping to the ground, looking round to make sure that there are no attackers lurking, and only then getting up and distributing it. TLT seems almost hyperactive with the ball when he does catch it, quite often with arms outstretched making it insecure. There is an upside to this desire for speed in that his long throws are a very useful way of starting a breakaway attack before the opposition have reorganised, but that should not be the default.

Lawlor is conventional and unlikely to let in soft goals, but he is not as athletic as he once was and his slower reactions lead to the impression that any well directed shots are unsaveable.

TLT’s individual strengths might well be capable of being shaped advantageously. The defence is effective enough to ensure that he does not have too much to deal with but the current rate of blunders is unsustainable.

In contemplating remedies, there seems no hesitation in pointing criticism at the manager, but perhaps we should not assume that our GK and set-piece coaches have no part in our shortcomings in those two crucial  departments.

[DonnyOsmond]

TSL is a good deal younger than TLT and the latter will have had the benefit of the Hull City coaches for some time now. What he will have lacked there has been league match experience. In comparison, TSL, with the additional top notch grounding of schooling in the Chelsea academy and match experience with us, will naturally have been more responsive to coaching.

What worries me about TLT is that he does not appear to capture the ball safely and I refer to the conventional clasping it to the chest and then dropping to the ground, looking round to make sure that there are no attackers lurking, and only then getting up and distributing it. TLT seems almost hyperactive with the ball when he does catch it, quite often with arms outstretched making it insecure. There is an upside to this desire for speed in that his long throws are a very useful way of starting a breakaway attack before the opposition have reorganised, but that should not be the default.

Lawlor is conventional and unlikely to let in soft goals, but he is not as athletic as he once was and his slower reactions lead to the impression that any well directed shots are unsaveable.

TLT’s individual strengths might well be capable of being shaped advantageously. The defence is effective enough to ensure that he does not have too much to deal with but the current rate of blunders is unsustainable.

In contemplating remedies, there seems no hesitation in pointing criticism at the manager, but perhaps we should not assume that our GK and set-piece coaches have no part in our shortcomings in those two crucial  departments.

45 days younger, not that much.

[Ian Nimmo]

I believe TLT is 22, 8 years younger than Lawlor?
He is still learning his trade & will improve. I would stick with him. Like i said, we need to spend money in the striker dept in my opinion.
TSL was poor when he first came but got better with game time. Im one of the minority who prefers TLT to TSL.

Yes it’s a good point that he is still only 22 probably we forget this sometimes. Plus he has not really had that much game time in the EFL todate, so still learning.
I believe he still has the potential to be a very good keeper, we may have to accept he will make some mistakes during his development, just need to minimise these, because it’s clear he does make some very good saves which will keep us in games. I would be highly surprised if Kyle isn’t working closely with him and we will see a reduction in mistakes, more inline with what you could normally expect from a 22 year old with minimal competitive games at this level.

[ncRover]

On another day? He kept us in the game up to their goal?

TLT is the better keeper as things stand. We have a much more pressing issue up the top end of the pitch, imho.

Only going off the extended highlights, but they were all saves you’d expect him to make.

[ForsolongaRover]

I believe TLT is 22, 8 years younger than Lawlor?
He is still learning his trade & will improve. I would stick with him. Like i said, we need to spend money in the striker dept in my opinion.
TSL was poor when he first came but got better with game time. Im one of the minority who prefers TLT to TSL.

Yes it’s a good point that he is still only 22 probably we forget this sometimes. Plus he has not really had that much game time in the EFL todate, so still learning.
I believe he still has the potential to be a very good keeper, we may have to accept he will make some mistakes during his development, just need to minimise these, because it’s clear he does make some very good saves which will keep us in games. I would be highly surprised if Kyle isn’t working closely with him and we will see a reduction in mistakes, more inline with what you could normally expect from a 22 year old with minimal competitive games at this level.

I must say that I hadn't checked, although this time last year TSL was a year (and 45 days!) younger than TLT is now. So to refine my comments, I'm not so sure that the quality of TSL's coaching would be much better than TLT's since both were brought up in the academies of PL clubs. There is also a height advantage though which I don't think I need to check, do I?

[Barmby Rover]

TLT is a better keeper than Lawlor, according to our goalkeeping coach, somebody who's judgement I would trust. This why he plays, on Saturday, he potentially made an error and it cost us a goal, but what about the two saves in the first half which kept us in the game? He is a decent goalie and does not deserve the stick that some on here would load on his shoulders, count up the saves and the mistakes, the saves will outnumber the mistakes at the end of the season.

[Alan Southstand]

TSL not going down too well at Bolton, so I’d be very careful about what you wish for!

The problem we have with a permanent keeper is the same problem we have with a good striker - they don’t come cheap. We’re stuck with the present system until someone decides enough is enough and we push the boat out and get a cheque signed. Until that happens, we have to put up with the situation we find ourselves in.

It’s not ideal, but I think in the short term, it’s fine - trouble is - we had this same problem when RW was here and that’s going back a few seasons.

[Avsuptem]

The trouble is TLT's mistakes seem to have been mostly absolute howlers, flapping at a ball he should have caught comfortably for example.
 This suggests inability to maintain focus and concentration for a whole game albeit interspersed with some brilliant saves. Keepers are supposed to make brilliant saves but they are not supposed to give points away inexcusably week after week. This must affect team morale so badly too and for me he is just not up to the job at present.

[Alan Southstand]

I’d add to that……but he’s the best option we currently have!

[Bessie Red]

TSL not going down too well at Bolton, so I’d be very careful about what you wish for!

The problem we have with a permanent keeper is the same problem we have with a good striker - they don’t come cheap. We’re stuck with the present system until someone decides enough is enough and we push the boat out and get a cheque signed. Until that happens, we have to put up with the situation we find ourselves in.

It’s not ideal, but I think in the short term, it’s fine - trouble is - we had this same problem when RW was here and that’s going back a few seasons.

It would be interesting to know how many first choice keepers in Lge 1 & 2 are loan keepers & how many are contracted to their clubs.

[RoseTInteD]

I can remember a time when Grant used to say he didn't care how many we concede because we will score more. Why only beat up TLT for our bad results? Shouldn't we be doing more at the front to capitalise on our missed opportunities?

[Bills view]

He’s made howlers but missing a sitter is just as bad. It’s cost a goal.

Goalkeeping is a tough position that’s for sure.

The issue is that his confidence does appear low  especially on crosses and as others have said this must rub off on the team.

He needs a run of safe, solid games.

[scawsby steve]

TLT is a better keeper than Lawlor, according to our goalkeeping coach, somebody who's judgement I would trust. This why he plays, on Saturday, he potentially made an error and it cost us a goal, but what about the two saves in the first half which kept us in the game? He is a decent goalie and does not deserve the stick that some on here would load on his shoulders, count up the saves and the mistakes, the saves will outnumber the mistakes at the end of the season.

If you're talking about Kyle Letheren, then I agree with you. However, did you trust his judgement when he advised GM to replace him with Lawlor a few weeks ago?

Also, could you point me to when Kyle said that TLT is better than Lawlor, because I must have missed that.

[Bessie Red]

TSL not going down too well at Bolton, so I’d be very careful about what you wish for!

The problem we have with a permanent keeper is the same problem we have with a good striker - they don’t come cheap. We’re stuck with the present system until someone decides enough is enough and we push the boat out and get a cheque signed. Until that happens, we have to put up with the situation we find ourselves in.

It’s not ideal, but I think in the short term, it’s fine - trouble is - we had this same problem when RW was here and that’s going back a few seasons.

It would be interesting to know how many first choice keepers in Lge 1 & 2 are loan keepers & how many are contracted to their clubs.

In the last round of Lge1 games 16 starting goalkeepers were contracted to their clubs & only 8 were loan keepers.

[ForsolongaRover]

TSL not going down too well at Bolton, so I’d be very careful about what you wish for!

The problem we have with a permanent keeper is the same problem we have with a good striker - they don’t come cheap. We’re stuck with the present system until someone decides enough is enough and we push the boat out and get a cheque signed. Until that happens, we have to put up with the situation we find ourselves in.

It’s not ideal, but I think in the short term, it’s fine - trouble is - we had this same problem when RW was here and that’s going back a few seasons.

It would be interesting to know how many first choice keepers in Lge 1 & 2 are loan keepers & how many are contracted to their clubs.

In the last round of Lge1 games 16 starting goalkeepers were contracted to their clubs & only 8 were loan keepers.

Interesting info BR

[rich1471]

We have to remember he sat most of last season on hulls bench it cannot be easy from not playing all season to be expected to be ready to perform at a high standard

[scawsby steve]

We have to remember he sat most of last season on hulls bench it cannot be easy from not playing all season to be expected to be ready to perform at a high standard

So if he's not ready to perform at a high standard, why did we sign him?

[Branton Red]

Unfortunately his mistakes have contributed to Rovers conceding 7 goals in his last 5 league appearances and it would have been 9 goals in those 5 games but for 2 goal line clearances.

No side in a competitive league can afford to risk continuing to select a player who has consistently made so many unforced errors leading to goals against - regardless of his talent, personality, past performances or potential.

If Rovers continue to play him through the rest of the season then relegation becomes a certainty regardless of who is signed to play up front in January.

[Barmby Rover]

I can remember a time when Grant used to say he didn't care how many we concede because we will score more. Why only beat up TLT for our bad results? Shouldn't we be doing more at the front to capitalise on our missed opportunities?

And also how many defenders can be questiioned who allowed the Reading player to get the shot in?

[scawsby steve]

I can remember a time when Grant used to say he didn't care how many we concede because we will score more. Why only beat up TLT for our bad results? Shouldn't we be doing more at the front to capitalise on our missed opportunities?

And also how many defenders can be questiioned who allowed the Reading player to get the shot in?

Yes, I agree with that; but are those defenders making costly errors week after week?

[Barmby Rover]

I can remember a time when Grant used to say he didn't care how many we concede because we will score more. Why only beat up TLT for our bad results? Shouldn't we be doing more at the front to capitalise on our missed opportunities?

And also how many defenders can be questiioned who allowed the Reading player to get the shot in?

Yes, I agree with that; but are those defenders making costly errors week after week?

Yes they are, but when they make errors they can be covered by other players or a goalkeeper! If a goalie makes one error it can be impossible for it to be recovered by others, it is definitely incredibly difficult.