This isn’t another thread about the accuracy of his kicks or his passing ability that’s a different topic altogether but he never takes a touch when the ball gets passed back to him even when the player closing the ball down is nowhere near him, he just puts his foot through it. Was numerous times yesterday he could of took a touch and waited until an opposition player was nearer before hitting the ball upfield. It would waste valuable time especially when we are leading.

I have noticed this for a while now, it’s as if he panics and just wants to get rid, Take a touch Nick !

Most irrelevant thread I've ever read

Untinted Glasses wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:34 pm

Most irrelevant thread I've ever read

Yeah course it is

It’s all about game management, no need to rush and smash it upfield when there’s no pressure. No other keeper in the league does it.

Are you a Rovers fan in disguise? You sure know how to complain don’t you?

I’ve never once seen Nick Pope pass on an opportunity to waste time.

How could you of seen it on numerous occasions yesterday when you've stopped going on ?

houseboy wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:43 pm

Are you a Rovers fan in disguise? You sure know how to complain don’t you?

I've started to think PTN may be Saxo.

TheFamilyCat wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:49 pm

I've started to think PTN may be Saxo.

He's far too literate to be Saxo

expoultryboy wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:47 pm

How could you of seen it on numerous occasions yesterday when you've stopped going on ?

How do you know, PTN? You said you weren’t going on again.

He's already said he went on yesterday. And even if he didn't he could have watched it on the tele.

Incidentally why would you time waste when 3-0 up ? And why suggest time wasting when you have recently complained about slowing the game down?

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:55 pm

How do you know, PTN? You said you weren’t going on again.

Come on Minnie PTN "epic failed" with his "I'm never going on't Turf again" thread when 24 hrs later he gushed about how good we are, and how he was so glad he went on yesterday... Now he has just found another excuse to have a go

houseboy wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:57 pm

Incidentally why would you time waste when 3-0 up ? And why suggest time wasting when you have recently complained about slowing the game down?

Why would you waste time when 3-0 up ?? Are you for real ?

When have I complained about slowing the game down ??

I actually thought his kicking was better yesterday. But it is clearly his weakness so he will inevitably do what he's most comfortable doing.

He made a couple of really good saves yesterday.
So what if he puts his boot straight through the oncoming ball, it could be argued that it increases the chances of wrongfooting the opposition.

I too thought he kicked well yesterday and was quite often put under a bit of pressure to do so by Brentford's strikers looking to press and harry him. As has been commented above Pope is a master time-waster when required.

PadihamThickNeck wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 5:01 pm

Why would you waste time when 3-0 up ?? Are you for real ?

When have I complained about slowing the game down ??

1. With a 3-0 cushion it’s safer to go forward for more. So yes I am absolutely for real.
2. Didn’t you ask why we took our foot off the pedal yesterday. Or was that someone else?

Stalbansclaret wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 5:08 pm

I too thought he kicked well yesterday and was quite often put under a bit of pressure to do so by Brentford's strikers looking to press and harry him. As has been commented above Pope is a master time-waster when required.

Like his theatrical catching and falling on the ball ... its our Nick Pope ...

I would rather have his epic saves and catching ability, than swap it for better kicking ability.

Yes it would be a bonus if he could kick better but, he has improved in other areas... and yesterday I seem to remember him taking a touch when not under pressure and his throwing out is pretty accurate to find a man on the wing etc

Took a touch a few times in the first half that I clearly recall, on two occasions I got a little nervous about it. The reason he kicks on his first touch is because his first touch isn’t that great so no need to risk getting closed down is there. Not convinced that you were there or you’re just making things up for the sake of it.

I believe it's wrong to say he NEVER takes a touch (or 2)because he does, but it's also fair to say that he doesn't fanny about and if there's anyone even remotely close he wellies it and I have absolutely no issue with that. Safety first and play to you're strengths! If he was dribbling the bloody thing like some do (or try to), I'd be hiding under the seat! I actually thought his kicking generally was much better yesterday, but it's still an achilles heel (good pun DC!) unfortunately and it can put us under unnecessary pressure at times.

PadihamThickNeck wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:32 pm

This isn’t another thread about the accuracy of his kicks or his passing ability that’s a different topic altogether but he never takes a touch when the ball gets passed back to him even when the player closing the ball down is nowhere near him, he just puts his foot through it. Was numerous times yesterday he could of took a touch and waited until an opposition player was nearer before hitting the ball upfield. It would waste valuable time especially when we are leading.

I have noticed this for a while now, it’s as if he panics and just wants to get rid, Take a touch Nick !

Thought you weren’t going on the Turf again???

I think causing mischief by spinning yarns and losing track of them did for Saxo in the end, too.

Pope's kicking and general ability with the ball at his feet is a blessing. If he could use his feet like most keepers I reckon we might have lost him by now but Pope could become like Mee in that for the way we play we couldnt hope for better but they are unlikely to attract offers from the big clubs

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 5:21 pm

I believe it's wrong to say he NEVER takes a touch (or 2)because he does, but it's also fair to say that he doesn't fanny about and if there's anyone even remotely close he wellies it and I have absolutely no issue with that. Safety first and play to you're strengths! If he was dribbling the bloody thing like some do (or try to), I'd be hiding under the seat! I actually thought his kicking generally was much better yesterday, but it's still an achilles heel (good pun DC!) unfortunately and it can put us under unnecessary pressure at times.

This. He does it because he doesn't have good control and doesn't want to make a mistake. For a while he was taking touches (I presume to impress Southgate) and it was scary to say the least.

taio wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:56 pm

He's already said he went on yesterday. And even if he didn't he could have watched it on the tele.

Don’t let the facts get in the way of the local bully boys having a laugh.

What a state some of our fans are in.

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 5:47 pm

Pope's kicking and general ability with the ball at his feet is a blessing. If he could use his feet like most keepers I reckon we might have lost him by now but Pope could become like Mee in that for the way we play we couldnt hope for better but they are unlikely to attract offers from the big clubs

Although Meesy is a god send for us, he would never have cut it at a higher level. Same as Tarks, playing in a low block is fine, playing on the half way against pace is a nightmare.

He knows his place and worth.

Forgotten wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 8:23 pm

Although Meesy is a god send for us, he would never have cut it at a higher level. Same as Tarks, playing in a low block is fine, playing on the half way against pace is a nightmare.

He knows his place and worth.

Thats precisely my point however Tarks has a lot more to his game than Mee and is capable of playing in a more expansive team where he will be more exposed. That is why I think we will lose Tarks where Mee has had no takers

Meesy??

Targetman wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 8:30 pm

Meesy??

Its what Scousers affectionately call Ben Mee although Klopp has a very different moniker for him

I remember the days when it was considered important for a goalkeeper to be able to make class saves.

DDG is the best keeper I've seen in modern times yet his distribution isn't as good as many others.

PadihamThickNeck wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 31, 2021 4:36 pm

Yeah course it is

It’s all about game management, no need to rush and smash it upfield when there’s no pressure. No other keeper in the league does it.

No, the majority fart about and then blame the defence when their terrible ball control leads to them conceding

Spijed wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 01, 2021 7:37 am

I remember the days when it was considered important for a goalkeeper to be able to make class saves.

DDG is the best keeper I've seen in modern times yet his distribution isn't as good as many others.

It still is but to make it at the very top these days you need to be able to make class saves and be able to use your feet. Its the same with the centre half position where first and foremost you need to be able to defend but you wont make it to the very top if you are not comfortable with the ball.

I dont know where some people get the idea that just because kicking and being comfortable with the ball is an important attribute for a goalkeeper these days that it means that you dont have to be great at all the other stuff too to make it to the top.

I'm sure the Everton fans were more concerned with Pickfords divine ability to pass the ball ten metres whilst he shipped 5 goals against Watford.

Pope nearly always takes a touch. Unless there's a danger of him being closed down. It's standard Goalkeeper coaching which I'm sure Billy has the hang of.

Devils_Advocate wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:12 am

It still is but to make it at the very top these days you need to be able to make class saves and be able to use your feet. Its the same with the centre half position where first and foremost you need to be able to defend but you wont make it to the very top if you are not comfortable with the ball.

I dont know where some people get the idea that just because kicking and being comfortable with the ball is an important attribute for a goalkeeper these days that it means that you dont have to be great at all the other stuff too to make it to the top.

Whilst I agree, on the flip side there now seems to an obsession for some keepers to pass the ball come what may, which sometimes leads to a monumental cock-up.

As we saw on Saturday, we put Brentford's keeper under pressure and it nearly led to a goal.

Spijed wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:40 am

Whilst I agree, on the flip side there now seems to an obsession for some keepers to pass the ball come what may, which sometimes leads to a monumental cock-up.

As we saw on Saturday, we put Brentford's keeper under pressure and it nearly led to a goal.

I know where you're coming from but its got to be more nuanced than that. When a cock up leads to a goal it looks stupid and the question is rightly asked why do teams do it.

The stats guys must have analysed lots of things over and over and the benefits for keeping possession by passing out (and risk a cock up) must outweigh giving possession away by booting it clear and not risking giving a goal away. I remember a goal against us last season where the team took a few risks passing it around at the back but once they evaded the press they moved the ball up the field and scored

I think its horses for courses and at Burnley I wouldnt want a keeper to pass it around (even if they were good with their feet) so Pope is absolutely perfect for us but for some teams keeping possession is worth the risk.

bfcjg wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:15 am

I'm sure the Everton fans were more concerned with Pickfords divine ability to pass the ball ten metres whilst he shipped 5 goals against Watford.

Had to log in to like this post ...

Just here to see the praise for Pope nearly setting up our winner on Saturday.

Or do we only see the negatives?

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 08, 2021 10:46 am

Just here to see the praise for Pope nearly setting up our winner on Saturday.

Or do we only see the negatives?

Excellent post Quickenthetempo, and yes Nick should be commended for his nearly assist, as well as his awesome display between the sticks.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 08, 2021 10:51 am

Excellent post Quickenthetempo, and yes Nick should be commended for his nearly assist, as well as his awesome display between the sticks.

Also he took touches on many occasions from Backpasses just to prove how wrong the OP was in his observations ...

Nick wasn't just awesome on Saturday he was IMMENSE in goal

Improving - well done Popey.