Following Begovic's outstanding performance against City, would it be unfair to drop him in favour of Courtois against WBA. Begovic didn't put a foot wrong against City, apart from flapping at 1 cross (something Courtois doesn't do much) and I feel as though he should be given a run of games as a reward, maybe just till the end of August? Or up to our first European/Cup game and then we slowly reintroduce Courtois?

Begovic's experience could be key to sorting out our current defensive woes yet Courtois has established himself as a top keeper albeit slightly naive at times. Just wondered what the Shed thinks?

Note- This thread is acting on the basis Courtois has been banned for just the 1 game (against City) and is free to play against WBA. (Couldn't remember if the ban was a 3 match or 1 match)

Beggers is better than tortoise

Beggers is better than tortoise

Based on? Begovic was poor pre season don't forget and Courtois had a cracker in the Shield against Arsenal

I think that considering Courtois's silly red card probably cost us 2 points, and that Begovic has been excellent in the game and a half since, that Begovic has earned the right to continue to start while he's putting in performances better than that of anyone else in the team.

 

I understand that it wasn't entirely Courtois's fault (the sending off), with Willian playing the striker onside and Terry and Cahill not being fully aware of what was happening, but he still didn't need to come out and he really messed up by taking him out inside the box.

 

It would also send a message to some of those that have been floundering so far this season, such as Ivanovic and Fabregas, that no-one is undroppable, not even the goalkeeper which is usually the position on the field that sees the least rotation.

Courtois was brilliant for the large majority of the season last year so Courtois.

 

Plus I'd be pretty annoyed if we sold Cech in order to keep Courtois and then dump him for Begovic.

Courtois will be back in goal next match and rightfully so, Courtois puts in those performances on a regular basis.

 

Also if he's not getting dropped for Cech then I highly doubt he's getting dropped for Begovic. 

Courtois was brilliant for the large majority of the season last year so Courtois.

Plus I'd be pretty annoyed if we sold Cech in order to keep Courtois and then dump him for Begovic.

I wouldn't want us to dump him, more like use Begovic to motivate and pressurise him to do better. If he can't then questions have to be raised over his mentality

Courtois will be back in goal next match and rightfully so, Courtois puts in those performances on a regular basis.

 

Also if he's not getting dropped for Cech then I highly doubt he's getting dropped for Begovic. 

 

From memory Courtois did get dropped for a few games at the start of the year?

From memory Courtois did get dropped for a few games at the start of the year?

Injury wasn't it?

Injury wasn't it?

 

Can't remember exactly, could have been.

Can't remember exactly, could have been.

Fairly sure he pulled his hammy at some point and had that concussion against arsenal when he had bleeding from his ear?

Edited August 18, 201510 yr by Haz139

I wouldn't want us to dump him, more like use Begovic to motivate and pressurise him to do better. If he can't then questions have to be raised over his mentality

 

Not sure how much better he can do though, ok the sending off wasn't great but there wasn't much he could do.

 

Very rarely makes mistakes, commands his area and is a brilliant shot stopper. What else do you want?

Lol, there is no debate, Courtois is number 1.

Not sure how much better he can do though, ok the sending off wasn't great but there wasn't much he could do.

 

Very rarely makes mistakes, commands his area and is a brilliant shot stopper. What else do you want?

 

Begovic hasn't made a single mistake yet and made numerous tremendous saves in both of his appearances so far.

Begovic hasn't made a single mistake yet and made numerous tremendous saves in both of his appearances so far.

 

Yeah, and we are grateful, now he can enjoy his time on the bench.

Not sure how much better he can do though, ok the sending off wasn't great but there wasn't much he could do.

Very rarely makes mistakes, commands his area and is a brilliant shot stopper. What else do you want?

this is my point- is he too good to drop? Could do better in 1 on 1s I suppose but other than becoming consistent all the time there's not much else he can do to become better

Yeah, and we are grateful, now he can enjoy his time on the bench.

 

I'm sure it sends a great message to the rest of the squad when the best player this season so far gets dropped back to the bench while the multiple average players in the starting line-up continue to retain their places.

I'm sure it sends a great message to the rest of the squad when the best player this season so far gets dropped back to the bench while the multiple average players in the starting line-up continue to retain their places.

 

That's only relevant if those players are actually average. Courtois is our number 1 goalkeeper and he has not been average.

That's only relevant if those players are actually average. Courtois is our number 1 goalkeeper and he has not been average.

against Swansea he was nothing special. The point we're making is it would be harsh to drop a player in such good form

That's only relevant if those players are actually average. Courtois is our number 1 goalkeeper and he has not been average.

 

No its relevant because it shows that it doesn't matter how good squad players play when they come in, the same 11 people a guaranteed a starting spot when available regardless.

 

Which is the exact issue with our squad at the moment.

this is my point- is he too good to drop? Could do better in 1 on 1s I suppose but other than becoming consistent all the time there's not much else he can do to become better

 

I would say yes he probably is too good to drop. Top class goalkeepers are few and far between and as for 23 year olds, even rarer.

 

I understand that Begovic has been very good over these 2 games but Courtois has been brilliant since he arrived. 

Courtois hasn't done anything to justify being dropped and knowing Begovic is waiting in the wings should be ample motivation... so for me Tibo back in goal for West Brom.

No its relevant because it shows that it doesn't matter how good squad players play when they come in, the same 11 people a guaranteed a starting spot when available regardless.

 

Which is the exact issue with our squad at the moment.

 

Yes and no. I agree with your point that players in bad form should be benched. Ivanovic is a great player, but he has been humiliated twice in a row and thus he deserves to be benched. Costa for me deserves the same, as with a couple of others.

 

But in this thread, we are talking about Courtois and Begovic. Everybody knows Courtois is number 1 and he has given Mourinho no reason to bench him. It's a completely different situation.

I would say yes he probably is too good to drop. Top class goalkeepers are few and far between and as for 23 year olds, even rarer.

I understand that Begovic has been very good over these 2 games but Courtois has been brilliant since he arrived.

agreed entirely but what does it say to players from other clubs such as Rahman or Stones that they can't displace our regular 11 if they're 'undroppable'. If they play well in one or two game when called upon shouldn't they be rewarded? Plus I know the situations are different but has Zouma made a mistake yet? I think he should be a starter

Edited August 18, 201510 yr by Haz139

Courtois is our future. He made a silly mistake but he's young and will get better. Begovic providing competition will at least ensure he steps up, unlike some of our outfield players.