Is it just me who thinks we really should be looking at finding a new back up for petr? To be fair to Hilario, when called upon he has on the most part done a decent job (big champions league nights against Barca spring to mind), but if Cech was to be out for a sustained period then he doesn't feel me with a huge amount of confidence. Turnbull is capable of brilliance at times, but mediocrity for the majority. If come february/march time and we're battling on all fronts, as we would hope, Cech picks up an injury (not an unlikely possibility) then the lack of a good keeper could cost us It's a position that can affect the confidence of the entire team. Good number two's aren't an easy thing to find, being that you need a player who is not only very capable when called upon but is also content with being an understudy and providing support. I say this with Courtois in mind as i'm sure he will be challenging for the number one shirt himself before long, so for the time being someone of the ilk of jaaskelinen springs to mind. Any thoughts?

Isn't the inter Milan keeper off on a free now? Wages may be an issue, but he must certainly be better than what we have now. Also should not be an issue for Courtois.

I agree and I think most here would love to see us get a good backup. Remember the days when we had Cudicini? That was great.

Turnbull seems to let in more goals than he saves and everytime I see him on the pitch I'm expecting a loss.

Hilario is better than Turnbull and have more experience, which is why I find it odd that he's only third choice. I'm far more comfortable with him in goal instead of Turnbull.

Perhaps we'll just have Turnbull another season and then get Courtois can be our backup.

Isn't the inter Milan keeper off on a free now? Wages may be an issue, but he must certainly be better than what we have now. Also should not be an issue for Courtois.

Yes, he is available I think, but there's two problems. First, as you mention, is his wages. I think he will want a bit too much for a backup keeper. And secondly I can't really see him accepting the role of backup. He will want to be number one.

But if he for some reason is okay being backup to Cech and doesn't mind earning less than he did at Inter I would not object getting him.

In other news it has been noted that bears sh*t in the woods!

Courtois is too good to be number 2. If we were going to have Cech and Courtous they would have to be rotated.

As if we need to worry about keepers. Delac has looked good whenever I've seen him and Hilario is more than good enough for backup.

I thought this thread was about ditching Ivan and giving his squad number to somebody else

Bring back my Carlo, I say!

Edited July 31, 201213 yr by Valerie

As if we need to worry about keepers. Delac has looked good whenever I've seen him and Hilario is more than good enough for backup.

I agree, but as I've said before, Hilario seems to be the third choice. Turnbull is for some very strange reason the backup for Cech.

Asmir Begovic

You'd be hard pressed to find a decent no 2 at any club in the world.

Sigh. Hilario so rarely lets us down yet he is slagged relentlessly. People are far too harsh on keepers in my view. Just 6 months ago people were questioning Petrs future. Now he won us the CL not so much.

Its always tough to get a really good back up keeper, if they are that good then why arent they playing first team football else where? Turnbull is shocking but i doubt his wages are that high and counts towards the home grown rulling. Sadly i think he will stay until his contract runs out.

Is Turnbull any better than Blackman though? We could have him as our 3rd choice.

As far as Hilario goes..meh, he's not great, not awful, but we could still do better for a back up. We'd do better looking for someone quite old with loads of experience, who wouldn't mind spending the twilight of his career mostly on the bench and training the younger goalkeepers. Hell, I'd take Cudicini back in a heartbeat if he'd come.

Craig Gordon is available on a free..

Hasn't he had injury problems?

yeah, 2 ACL's if i remember and a broken hand, but still a top quality shot stopper on his day. Definately a good number 2.

After giving Hilario a new contract at the end of last season i think its perfectly clear we wont be bringing in a new back up keeper.

Is Turnbull any better than Blackman though? We could have him as our 3rd choice.

As far as Hilario goes..meh, he's not great, not awful, but we could still do better for a back up. We'd do better looking for someone quite old with loads of experience, who wouldn't mind spending the twilight of his career mostly on the bench and training the younger goalkeepers. Hell, I'd take Cudicini back in a heartbeat if he'd come.

so Hilario then.

The problem is its very difficult to get a backup keeper good enough (or at least safe enough) to step in if needed, but one who knows he will rarely play. Finding someone happy to be a bench player but good enough to be a bench player is very very difficult, keeping them happy is even more difficult.

so Hilario then.

Someone better would be good...

I don't understand why Delac has been sent out on loan again, I'd far rather have him as our backup keeper than either Hilario or Turnbull.

I wont mind sitting on the bench all season long for 40k a week or so!

Delac has barely made an appearance in 3 years on loan at pretty small clubs..I think that tells us all we need to know about his current ability.

Rather we focus on strengthening elsewhere than back up GK. Hilario has never really let us down when needed, and we have Blackman coming through who i would use over turnbull.