James Trafford

[Row x]

I’ve seen a podcast or something or other this week and Carragher is asking is it better to have a good defence and a bad keeper,or a good keeper and a bad defence ,think the replies were a good defence ,and I’m not criticising JT for one minute but if VK had stopped at Burnley would we be seeing such an improvement and if we go up and get battered most weeks how will JT be viewed if he lets 80 goals in? I still think he’s way to young yet to be a top Premier League keeper.

It's the defence and team set up that has made the difference.

[No Ney Never]

He’ll be off in the summer regardless of if we go up or not.

All the Geordies I know are convinced he's going to Newcastle, Pope is on his way out, 'too many injuries and no good with his feet'. Trafford to replace him leaving funds available to strengthen outfield positions.

[NewClaret]

Of course. Completely forgot about that. 35 million was it ? Crazy

I forget, but think it ended up being £25m but £30m with add-ons!

Big money but I bet we wouldn’t be 3rd had we held on to him.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

The money we got for Wilson was on the low side
We need top money for all our rising stars and now we have Alan Pace as chairman we always seem to be talking big fees not the Happy Shopper giveaways of previous years.

We got good money for him, especially as he's spent this season mainly injured

We're getting better now than we've ever done, because our owners are driving hard bargains, despite there being a number of fans on here who don't value our players that highly and scoff at the idea of getting top money for them, but they're small minded

[ecc]

He's having a very good season but he's protected by the whole team.

[ecc]

All the Geordies I know are convinced he's going to Newcastle, Pope is on his way out, 'too many injuries and no good with his feet'. Trafford to replace him leaving funds available to strengthen outfield positions.

Nick Pope is the best keeper they've had since Shay Given.

[Cooclaret]

He's having a very good season but he's protected by the whole team.

Isn’t that the whole purpose of a team?

It’s why Kompany was bobbins.

[GetIntoEm]

Nick Pope is the best keeper they've had since Shay Given.

He's not even the best keeper they've got now

[boatshed bill]

Isn’t that the whole purpose of a team?

And the purposes of the goalkeeper are first to keep the defence organised and second to make crucial saves when the defence is beaten.
This is what we have now.

[Cooclaret]

And the purposes of the goalkeeper are first to keep the defence organised and second to make crucial saves when the defence is beaten.
This is what we have now.

Kompany didn’t set up the team in the Premier League to protect the back four at all.

Trafford was exposed.

We have a better manager now, a functional system, and a brilliant back two and goalkeeper.

[boatshed bill]

Kompany didn’t set up the team in the Premier League to protect the back four at all.

Trafford was exposed.

We have a better manager now, a functional system, and a brilliant back two and goalkeeper.

The thing I never really understood was why VK set up to play with such a high line yet didn't play Muric in that system.

[Colburn_Claret]

I think it's fair to say JT got a lot of stick last season, especially during those first few months.
It was also clear by Christmas, and accepted by most of his detractors, that the problem wasn't JT after all, but Kompany and his pedantic adherence to ******* about on the edge of our box.
This season he has the benefit of having an incredible pair of CHs in front of him, but he's also shown that he's an exceptional keeper. The stats base a keepers performance on saves made against expected xg, not defenders blocks or tackles. He's miles ahead of his peers.
I like the way that although he has the face of a schoolboy, when it comes to squaring up to any agro he looks as cool as ice. I fancy he's a very tough character.

[BurnleyFC]

Great take from Trafford today when he clattered all in front of him, including Foster, to claim a difficult ball.

[Hibsclaret]

Great take from Trafford today when he clattered all in front of him, including Foster, to claim a difficult ball.

Quite ironic given the premier league equaliser against the same opponents. Definitely shows how much he has improved in the year plus since.

[Stonehouse]

The video of him and Anthony in the crowd at Deepdale showed how much the guys come on since VK left.

[Jakubclaret]

Quite ironic given the premier league equaliser against the same opponents. Definitely shows how much he has improved in the year plus since.

That's true I'd add in the combination of a fall from grace as well luton look nothing like the team that last played in the PL. It's been a rapid decline from fighting to retain their PL status to 1 looking like L1 could be on the cards.

[Darnhill Claret]

James Trafford in my opinion still has several years of improvement in him. I think he'll improve until 27/28 and then enjoy several seasons at the height of his powers until his mid to late 30's.
I hope he's happy to stay a little longer yet.

[Quicknick]

I think it would be in Tafford's best interests to stay at TM for a couple more seasons.

[Cooclaret]

I think it would be in Tafford's best interests to stay at TM for a couple more seasons.

He’s gone. He had already gone before he arrived.

JT is England's next #1. He has always been on that trajectory.

[Cooclaret]

I think it's fair to say JT got a lot of stick last season, especially during those first few months.
It was also clear by Christmas, and accepted by most of his detractors, that the problem wasn't JT after all, but Kompany and his pedantic adherence to ******* about on the edge of our box.
This season he has the benefit of having an incredible pair of CHs in front of him, but he's also shown that he's an exceptional keeper. The stats base a keepers performance on saves made against expected xg, not defenders blocks or tackles. He's miles ahead of his peers.
I like the way that although he has the face of a schoolboy, when it comes to squaring up to any agro he looks as cool as ice. I fancy he's a very tough character.

The Kompany fanboys were still loud and proud this season.

The Trafford haters were still loud and proud this season.

Those of us who stuck to our guns about both and got board bans and pelters last season always knew that Kompany was a fraud and JT was the real deal!

[BurnleyFC]

Quite ironic given the premier league equaliser against the same opponents. Definitely shows how much he has improved in the year plus since.

He’s looks like he’s bulked out a fair bit this season and is playing without fear and a lot of confidence.

See his chest control against Cardiff for evidence of that.

[Quicknick]

He’s gone. He had already gone before he arrived.

JT is England's next #1. He has always been on that trajectory.

He hasn't gone; he's still here.

[IanMcL]

Quite ironic given the premier league equaliser against the same opponents. Definitely shows how much he has improved in the year plus since.

Good point.