Dubs

[Guybrush]

Pps. Whats Kelleher priced at these days 🤔

[Sclox]

Will be sorry to see "abra Dubravka" go but understand it. Who''d begrudge him a final pay cheque and time in the sun in Saudi.

He has been massive for us through the years with countless saves and clean sheets.

Good luck you deserve the plaudits you are getting now. Immaculate the last 7 games.

[Nufcian]

Gonna rock the boat a bit here? becasue I like to play devils advocate and I believe I have a valid opinion that might not be popular 😉

Has he been that great? His appearance was alongside Tonali starting as a 6, and while he put himself on the line a few times last night (props to him for that), I?d say he hasn?t had to do that much.

That?s not even the controversial bit.

Seems a lot of people are forgetting that he spat his dummy out when Pope came in and took the No 1 spot, and ended up pushing for the loan to Man Utd.

That left us needing to bring in Karius and play him, in his first game, in a Cup Final at Wembley.

I?d say Dub?s should have pushed to fight for the No 1 spot, had the ability to earn it back, and we would have had a keeper used to the players in the final.

So I?m thankful for his service over the time he has been here, wish him all the best, but am not gonna put him on an undeserved pedestal and won?t shed any tears.

[Sclox]

Fair points. He was out of order for that and potentially cost us a cup but I assume he has tried to make amends for that since. On this form he would be hard to unseat as no 1 to he fair.

Maybe he felt that the dice were weighted in favour of Pope, I dunno, only he could say.

Be interesting to see how Pope does with Tonali when he comes in.

[Nufcian]

Fair points. He was out of order for that and potentially cost us a cup but I assume he has tried to make amends for that since. On this form he would be hard to unseat as no 1 to he fair.

Maybe he felt that the dice were weighted in favour of Pope, I dunno, only he could say.

Be interesting to see how Pope does with Tonali when he comes in.

Agree, on his current form (or the form of the entire defensive unit) it would be difficult to justify Pope coming straight back in? but in the same token I think if he had just bided his time then he could have won the No 1 spot back at some point before now.

I don?t think Pope is the long term solution either mind, I cringe every time a player passes the ball back to him as I know he has to use his feet? and even when kicking the ball from his hands his accuracy is shocking for a professional football, add to that his inability to get down quickly to any slow shot? there?s a lot of reasons why we need a better keeper, but Dubs is turning 36 next week and there is interest in him for good money (for his age)? so business will dictate this more than anything, plus I don?t begrudge him a good final pay day for him and his family.

Think Tonali will help Pope as much as he has helped Dubs to be honest, we need to settle what out first choice back 4 is now Botman is back? but it?s such a great position to be in and to have options of that class.

[Xamand]

It is a lot harder for a keeper to win back his spot after losing it than an outfield player. As an outfield player you get the chance to come off the bench in games and impress. As a keeper you normally have to wait for the other keeper to get a bad enough injury to enable you to get a good run of games, not so much to get your eye in and get your full match fitness, but more for your confidence in your decision making.

Hence, I can understand why Dubs wanted to move. When he first came to us we were really happy with him. Suddenly he is number 2 through no real fault of his own. It could be months before he gets another game, or as with Harper it could be years. Harper was selfless for staying so long as Given's number 2 but what kind of career could he have had if he had moved?


As for Pope, I agree that he is probably not the long term solution. He is good in the air and has been a great shot stopper, though I do think he has lost a tad in his reflexes. However with his feet he is god awful and I am also fearful when the ball is played back to him. These days you need a keeper that is much more comfortable with the ball at his feet and kicking goal kicks and from the hands straight out into touch just isn't it for me

[Jammy89]

I'm with Ian to be honest here.

However, on the other side - Dubs is getting offered good money and we get a fee.

We're not going to get a fee for him in the summer.

Eddie wants us to offer him a contract but I think he'll be over-ruled here. A fee for a 36 year old who was willing to leave us and we're looking for a younger ball playing Keeper. . .

[toptoon]

Noone wants to sell a player whos doing well but noone wants to buy one that isnt.
Better to sell while theres a demand for him

[Marat18]

I have a thought the other day, that if both Pope and Dubz are no long term solution, PSR wise it?d have made sense selling Pope for 15-20 and keeping Dubravka

[ex_pat_magpie]

Honestly...I'd actually think twice about putting Pope straight back in.

Sad to see Dubs go as he's been a good servant to the club, but at the same time it's a good move for him as well as the club, so best of luck to him.

I've heard on the grapevine that we have had a good look at the Wolfsburg goalie, Grabara, mid 20's and had a bit of time with Liverpool and Huddersfield when quite young. Also as an aside, Barca's winger Garcia.