With the acknowledgment that this has now become an issue it deserves a thread of its own.

For me the biggest problem IE has now with Crellin/the goalkeeper position  (and it can be argued that he has added fuel to this one) is that of how he handles it from a personal perspective. As fans all we want to see is a keeper in goal who is confident, not making too many errors and showing progress.  Let’s be honest the majority of us don’t give a stuff if Crellin is dropped and how this affects him mentally as long as Bolton win.

Of course IE wants this too, but he also has the delicate situation of handling how BC is as a person, what’s best for him, regardless of whether  he still sees him as a keeper who has a bwfc future. It’s a balancing act. 

Because of IE outburst post Cambridge we’re in the unusual position, as fans, of knowing some of the managers true feelings about his keeper. We know he has doubts about him, he is well aware of the errors that he is making, but we also know he still has faith in his ability to become a good keeper at a professional level. 

So with this in mind what does he do this week? As a fan playing football manager on the computer, looking at his performances and stats I’m saying drop him Tuesday give Alexander/Gilks a go. 

But putting myself in IEs shoes I’m not sure that course of action is correct, especially if he still sees BC as having a bwfc future. It’s a risk, but if he wants to demonstrate  the faith he has in him, provide him with a confidence boost to bring the best out of him, he selects him Tuesday but IMO tells him regardless of how he plays he’ll be rested and out of the limelight for 10 days while he gives Alexander a chance in the cup game. That way he’s keeping all options open, including looking at free transfers/making room in the squad for a keeper back up.

The one liners; drop him, sack him, send him back to Fleetwood, shouldn’t put on a bwfc shirt again are easy soundbites. How he manages this situation and when he chooses to drop him/rest him/motivate him/find another keeper, will not only make a difference to a young players mental state/motivation but will also influence how this position affects our season. 

One scenario that hasn’t been considered, which, (while not many of us expect) isn’t beyond the realms of possibilities. What happens if we win and Crellin has a good game Tuesday? Far too positive a thought for some to consider I know. 

I’d still give him a rest for the cup game, hope Alexander/Gilks has a good game too, which then gives IE a positive decision to make. A choice between 2 keepers who had good games on their last outings. Blue sky predictions I know and based on evidence so far, unlikely. But we shouldn’t rule it out.

Team talk for Mansfield is done for them - get crosses in the box and the goalie and defence shit it - neither has confidence in each other.

2 minutes ago, desperado said:

One scenario that hasn’t been considered, which, (while not many of us expect) isn’t beyond the realms of possibilities. What happens if we win and Crellin has a good game Tuesday? Far too positive a thought for some to consider I know. 

I’d still give him a rest for the cup game, hope Alexander/Gilks has a good game too, which then gives IE a positive decision to make. A choice between 2 keepers who had good games on their last outings. Blue sky predictions I know and based on evidence so far, unlikely. But we shouldn’t rule it out.

I think we'd all like Crellin to play and have a good game. It just feels highly unlikely.

Every game he's played just there have been mistakes. We've been extremely fortunate those errors haven't been punished as much as they should've been. The Bradford game being a prime example.

At what point does IE say enough is enough? I'd say that point has come.

 

I’d prefer Crellin not to touch the ball and we win 5-0

A lot of people calling for Alexander. There's absolutely nothing to say he wouldn't be in exactly the same position. He's a young kid too.

If Gilks is fit enough get the fucker in.

 

Evatt signed this lad he needs to carry the can if he’s not up to it

options are very limited 

Edited November 1, 20205 yr by radcliffe white

7 minutes ago, DazBob said:

At what point does IE say enough is enough? I'd say that point has come.

I tend to agree. Although I can see IE doing it Saturday rather than Tuesday and while it wouldn’t be my choice, I think there’s an argument/reason to see why. 

12 minutes ago, radcliffewhite1 said:

Evatt signed this lad he needs to carry the can if he’s not up to it

options are very limited 

Carry the can

What does that mean

Every manager makes signings that dont work out

Even ferguson went through a few keepers and he could have anybody he wanted

 

As for an in house replacement, i remember keeping a clean sheet v coventry but alexander was easily as dodgy as crellin

So, it has to be gilkes if hes up to it

12 minutes ago, desperado said:

I tend to agree. Although I can see IE doing it Saturday rather than Tuesday and while it wouldn’t be my choice, I think there’s an argument/reason to see why. 

like i said, the best way out of this for us and crellin, is fleetwood calling him back

Hes been weak from day one in the air, but i hoped his shot stopping and general passing would outweigh his deficiencies

His heads mashed and hes not even stopping shots

We still give too many free kicks way, though

Well if Alexander is not up to it (I've never seen him play) and Gilks is not fit then we should have acquired a loan keeper during the window.  We have got to hope that Alexander has matured since last season. 

16 minutes ago, Casino said:

Carry the can

What does that mean

Every manager makes signings that dont work out

Even ferguson went through a few keepers and he could have anybody he wanted

 

As for an in house replacement, i remember keeping a clean sheet v coventry but alexander was easily as dodgy as crellin

So, it has to be gilkes if hes up to it

I do agree on Alexander and he got lucky v Coventry, don’t know anything about this gilkes fella

carry the can means not having adequate back up you start from the back and get a decent keeper 

Edited November 1, 20205 yr by radcliffe white

Gilks has plenty experience at this level and above , needs him to step up now  https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-gilks/profil/spieler/48254

fair enough

Ive never taken any interest in gilkes other than knowing him at blackpool

You would hope if hes still fit, he would be a step up

Ive got fingers crossed he gets recalled and we are allowed an emergency replacement

Just now, burnden said:

Gilks has plenty experience at this level and above , needs him to step up now  https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-gilks/profil/spieler/48254

Its not a a question of what he could do, its about what he can do

Guessing hes late 30s?

38

Theres also the issue that crelin is probably gilks man

If the options are gilks or alexander to take crellin out of the firing line it has to be gilks , just my opinion. Being 38 shouldn't be an issue if he is still fit.

Should be fit surely 

not sure if the ex derby guy isnt free still, also andy lonergan

47 minutes ago, Casino said:

Carry the can

What does that mean

Every manager makes signings that dont work out

Even ferguson went through a few keepers and he could have anybody he wanted

 

As for an in house replacement, i remember keeping a clean sheet v coventry but alexander was easily as dodgy as crellin

So, it has to be gilkes if hes up to it

Carry the can as in he has left us in the dilemma of having an inexperienced keeper who's having a mare with no obvious alternative, as made all the more obvious by not picking a keeper on the bench... I'm not shouting for Evatts head just yet but it's reckless & if it costs him his job he can have no complaints. 

What’s Kevin Poole up to these days?

He was in a better way than tommy wright

18 minutes ago, RONNIE PHILLIPS said:

Carry the can as in he has left us in the dilemma of having an inexperienced keeper who's having a mare with no obvious alternative, as made all the more obvious by not picking a keeper on the bench... I'm not shouting for Evatts head just yet but it's reckless & if it costs him his job he can have no complaints. 

I think this is a good summary.  He can pick Baptiste in goal if he wants if results are positive but if we are losing most weeks its natural that its questioned.  Same with no keeper on the bench, its fine if we don't get caught out but if the No 1 gets sent off or injured 2 or 3 times in the season it could be the difference between success and failure and he cant complain if it costs him his job.  In summary, he's inviting trouble and he needs to make it work.

Get andy dibble back 

Gilks, with all his experience could surely solve the things that we are lacking with in the GK department, leadership, handling crosses and doing the basics.

Maybe Gilks isn't as physically fit as the younger lads and maybe his reflexes and ball control and distribution aren't as up to scratch as they were when he was younger but would like to think he'd be up to League 2 standard and could at least do the basics right. 

I don't think it's fair to pin all the blame on Crellin for where we're at - defence has been sloppy but is improving, midfield not dynamic enough but is improving, strikers not involved enough and now injured too - but he's certainly showing himself to be a weak link and that stat about 48% of shots on goal resulting in a goal is terrifying.

Needs must, Crellin must be dropped. Not arsed if we go with Alexander instead but Evatt has to try something else. 2 penalty saves are great but watching back him giving away the penalty, he wasnt even close to getting the ball (yes baptiste was at fault too but he's separate issue) and he had that clanger where he dropped the ball which almost ended up in our net, among a myriad of other howlers he's made.

Edited November 1, 20205 yr by Mantra

In my world goalies need to be brave and command the defence. Should not be worried about coming out and taking one, the odd flattened nose and broken tooth is part of the job... that leads to an older ugly git, the young athletic keepers are too concerned about looking good on faceboook.