Cement in “the cracks” (a James Trafford thread)

[agreenwood]

Congratulations James Trafford. Now the goalkeeper to keep the most clean sheets in a season in our history (with 15 games to go) and his…

“…save percentage of 86.8% leads not only all goalkeepers in England, but everyone in Europe’s top five leagues, too”.

https://theanalyst.com/2025/02/burnley- ... ue-history.

[GetIntoEm]

Top top keeper, will go further than any keeper we've had before

[ClaretCliff]

Top top keeper, will go further than any keeper we've had before

Are you sure?
Colin McDonald kept for England in the 1958 World Cup.

[nil_desperandum]

Are you sure?
Colin McDonald kept for England in the 1958 World Cup.

Bearing in mind Trafford's young age, I would think it highly likely that he will play in the World Cup Finals at some point in the next 15 years or so. (There'll be 4 tournaments in that period)

[Leisure]

Bearing in mind Trafford's young age, I would think it highly likely that he will play in the World Cup Finals at some point in the next 15 years or so. (There'll be 4 tournaments in that period)

But unfortunately he won't be still playing for us.

[BleedingClaret]

That double save at the end at Pompey suggested he’s getting better at some rate, he wouldn’t have made that 2nd save last year

[CoolClaret]

Traff is doing very well, and is coming up trumps in big moments for us.

Credit also has to be given to SP for implementing a system/defensive setup that's allowing him to thrive (similar to how Dyche let Heaton and Pope thrive), and not leaving him exposed/having to defend a ton of space like he was expected to last season.

[Claret Till I Die]

Traff is doing very well, and is coming up trumps in big moments for us.

Credit also has to be given to SP for implementing a system/defensive setup that's allowing him to thrive (similar to how Dyche let Heaton and Pope thrive), and not leaving him exposed/having to defend a ton of space like he was expected to last season.

But MuRiC iS a BeTtEr KeEpEr!!!

[fidelcastro]

But MuRiC iS a BeTtEr KeEpEr!!!

Yep. He's done really well since leaving us!

[ksrclaret]

But MuRiC iS a BeTtEr KeEpEr!!!

The Kosovan madman.

Lol.

[RVclaret]

That article is quite interesting when it gets into the shot quality of the opposition being the lowest in the league (as in, the xG per shot of the opponent), and then elaborates with the position of shots taken by opposition (majority are at an angle, reducing the ‘space’ the attacker has to hit on goal’ - all helping Trafford, but taking nothing away from him too. He’s obv been great albeit I can only think of Leeds away and Portsmouth away where he’s been MOM? Just been extremely consistent with only 1 error away at Hull.

[Roosterbooster]

Only 1 error away at Hull.

You mean the deflected goal?
I'm not sure that's an error

[RVclaret]

You mean the deflected goal?
I'm not sure that's an error

It’s slightly harsh, but he got there and probably would have wanted to do better.

[GetIntoEm]

Are you sure?
Colin McDonald kept for England in the 1958 World Cup.

Yes I'm sure. He will be in the England squad for next summers world cup

[Greenmile]

… I can only think of Leeds away and Portsmouth away where he’s been MOM?…

Sunderland at home?

[Stonehouse]

The lad had improved no end since The Egotist threw him under the bus last season however I think we need to see him play another season in the Premier League before he’s crowned as England’s No 1.

[RVclaret]

Sunderland at home?

Yep fair point!

[BurnleyFC]

He’s been pretty much faultless this season, as have the core of the defence.

[Venkys4eva]

Bearing in mind Trafford's young age, I would think it highly likely that he will play in the World Cup Finals at some point in the next 15 years or so. (There'll be 4 tournaments in that period)

He might play in the world cup but he will never play in a world cup final because England are

[Commy]

I saw some stats a few days ago and it showed that he hasn't made any errors leading to goals.

[Vegas Claret]

looking at Man City's keeper struggles I expect them to come knocking in the Summer

[Dark Cloud]

Trafford is clearly benefitting from being allowed to gain experience and confidence at a level which for now suits his development. Last season he was plucked straight from turning out for Bolton in Division 1 to starting in the Premier League against Man City (and the rest) and that was poor man management by Kompany. Clearly he has the potential to go on to far bigger things at the higher level, whether it's with Burnley or someone bigger and VK obviously saw that, but last season It was definitely too much, too soon, especially in a seriously struggling side and when that became abundantly clear to everyone including my cat, VK did the lad absolutely no favours whatsoever by continually refusing to acknowledge the mistake and take him out of the firing line. To Trafford's credit his self confidence has clearly stayed high and he's been excellent this season playing behind a far tighter defence and at a standard which for the time being is right and proper for his development.

[Hipper]

'but it’s simply extremely hard to lose football matches when you don’t concede many goals.'