The true cost of Jack Bonham 2017/18

[Piglet_Phoenix]

If ever there was a decision made by a manager which should cost him his job - the decision to bring Bonham into the club and to persist with picking him to start is up there.

I make it Bonham's mistakes, poor play and abysmal judgement have cost us points on 14 occasions this season - potential wins becoming draws, potential draws becoming defeats.

These matches

Lincoln (A) -1 point
Mansfield (H) -2 points
Accrington (A) -1 point
Exeter (H) -2 points
Wycombe (H) -2 points
Notts County (H) -2 points
Chesterfield (A) -2 points
Morecambe (H) -2 points
Newport (A) -2 points
Mansfield (A) -1 point
Wycombe (A) -3 points
Colchester (H) -2 points
Crawley (H) -2 points
Cambridge (H) -2 points

That's a total of 24 points we've flogged directly due to Bonham.

It is, or course, unreasonable to suggest a tier four goalkeeper isn't going to make any errors. However, if Bonham had performed adequately in only half of these games (and we're talking only "adequately" not "excellently"), we'd be looking at 12 more points and the possibility of automatic promotion (at best) and at least another shot at the playoffs.

So what's the true cost of the decision not to invest in a proper goalkeeper? For Curle's career and for the future of our club?

On the flip side, there have been matches this season where Bonham has been solid (if not spectacular). Most of these have been due to the protection he's been given by our defence however. I can't think of anything he's done I wouldn't expect a youth team player being capable of doing.

[griff]

Their keeper made some great saves yesterday; ours didn't. While I think that some of those judgements are a trifle harsh, I agree with the sentiment completely. He is a good keeper for 80 minutes in each game, but for the other 10 he switches of, or nerves get the better of him. How good is bacon? Sorry, how good is Bacon?

[mullen103]

We must be seeing something else with Bonham than everyone else, especially on the other board with some wanting to give him player of the season.

In the odd matches I’ve been too and on IFollow the opposition keeper in every game looks more confident, assured and performs better.

I think he’s awful but doesn’t say much as I think the squad apart from one or two are generally awful.

[TheDan]

I couldn't fault Bonham for any games he has played in.
If you want a decent keeper you need to have one of our own who is not just on loan
Why can't we have that?
We have had many excellent keepers Ross, Swinburne, McKellar, Glennon and Westwood to name but a few
Why does nobody want to sign for the club?