Why did Lonergan play the 1st hour yesterday?

[fulhamben]

You misunderstand me Ben, i'm not championing Lonergan, i'm just asking people to let Kit decide. You obviously want Betts to start.... so do i, but not to the point of 'blind faith'.

its not blind though.

[Jack Fulham]

Its a good chance to see if he's up for the job. Competition for places is always good. Yes, Bettinelli is talented and home grown but if Lonergan is better then we should play him.

[EJL]

I don't think Lonergan would've signed for us without the guarantee of first team football.

[Chutney]

Bettinelli is better and younger than lonergan. Lonergan gives us a solid back up option, something we didn't have last season, we're making progress!

[EJL]

Bettinelli is better and younger than lonergan. Lonergan gives us a solid back up option, something we didn't have last season, we're making progress!

Debatable

[SouthfieldWhite]

How can we predict this? Lonergan has vast experience, but Bettinelli has had an impressive season despite his lack of his years. It's a no-brainer, Kit and his coaching team work with both guys, so let them select the man that impresses. I don't understand the obsession of picking players despite not having seen them perform in training.

how does training count more than what happens on a match day though?

It doesn't Ben, but 60 minutes of a meaningless friendly, playing with new team-mates and letting in a faultless goal doesn't exclude Lonergan from selection.

What players do in training especially pre season dose have an impact with the majority of managers as what team to start The season off with

How many fans have watch Lonergan play live more than half a dozen times?

But unfair to judge him so far if you havnt

I'm all for giving the youngsters a chance but like Kit, he also realises he needs to be picking his best side

[bill taylors apprentice]

I happen to think that Lonergan will surprise people and be number 1 choice.

I am in a minority.  :028:

Wouldn't surprise me either. He is very experienced at Championship level and knows what is required of a keeper at that level.

like stopping the ball from going in the goal. we just need to pick the best keeper who ever that may be. both played about the same amount of games last season, both let in too many goals.both are 6ft4. betts has actually played more games in the last 3 seasons. either lonergan had an off day or his distribution is some what lacking. personally dont think experience counts for much in a goal keeper, especially when your other keeper has played more regularly of late. so yes id be suprised if betts is dropped for a keeper who isnt a massive upgrade.

Really???

[fulhamben]

I happen to think that Lonergan will surprise people and be number 1 choice.

I am in a minority.  :028:

Wouldn't surprise me either. He is very experienced at Championship level and knows what is required of a keeper at that level.

like stopping the ball from going in the goal. we just need to pick the best keeper who ever that may be. both played about the same amount of games last season, both let in too many goals.both are 6ft4. betts has actually played more games in the last 3 seasons. either lonergan had an off day or his distribution is some what lacking. personally dont think experience counts for much in a goal keeper, especially when your other keeper has played more regularly of late. so yes id be suprised if betts is dropped for a keeper who isnt a massive upgrade.

Really???

yes, name the two best goal keepers in the prem, then tell me how much combined experience they have. its about agility, positional sense, and ability. just because you have been around longer doesnt make you a better keeper, or chelsea would still have chech on their books

[McBride78]

I would like to think that no positions are gauranteed.  That is the best way to run any sports team.  Everyone is competing for a place in the squad all of the time.  you are never given anything, it is always earned.  Last season is last season, and today is a new day.  That said, I hope our young keeper wins the starting job at keeper, but prefer that he has to earn it.  If Lonergan shows in practice and preseason that he is in better form, than i would advocate that he starts.  This is across the board at every position.  Competition will make our squad better. 

[SouthfieldWhite]

I happen to think that Lonergan will surprise people and be number 1 choice.

I am in a minority.  :028:

Wouldn't surprise me either. He is very experienced at Championship level and knows what is required of a keeper at that level.

like stopping the ball from going in the goal. we just need to pick the best keeper who ever that may be. both played about the same amount of games last season, both let in too many goals.both are 6ft4. betts has actually played more games in the last 3 seasons. either lonergan had an off day or his distribution is some what lacking. personally dont think experience counts for much in a goal keeper, especially when your other keeper has played more regularly of late. so yes id be suprised if betts is dropped for a keeper who isnt a massive upgrade.

Really???

yes, name the two best goal keepers in the prem, then tell me how much combined experience they have. its about agility, positional sense, and ability. just because you have been around longer doesnt make you a better keeper, or chelsea would still have chech on their books

Of course experience helps, you will always get exceptions to the rule, but most gk don't get a run in the first team in the top 2 divisions until they are about 25

They go out on loan of learn from the experience keepers at their club.

Betts is a decent keeper but still got a lot to learn, like all youngsters.

Goal keeping is a specialise subject .
Both my boys are goalkeepers and ive been too hundred of sessions with a top goal keeping coach, but I still wouldn't say I know everything about goal keeping

[terryr]

Bettinelli is better and younger than lonergan. Lonergan gives us a solid back up option, something we didn't have last season, we're making progress!

How many did longergan let in last year?
How many did Betts let in?

[PaulJ123]

If Lonergan is to be our first choice, it makes not signing a keeper in January or on loan last season even more baffling.

We gave Bettinelli a full season (pretty much) as our number 1, got him into the England U21 squad, it would be a crazy decision if Lonergan was to become our number 1 after he barely played (in relation to Betts) last season.

Betts has to be number 1 for me.

[MJG]

Number 1 will be which ever keeper plays the best hopefully. Lonegran said in his interview he knows Betts has the shirt atm and he needs to fight him for it.
I've not seen enough of him to say he should be No1,  but it's healthy to have competition and GK's tend to have a different mindset about being a sub and supporting the man in goal.

[fulhamben]

Number 1 will be which ever keeper plays the best hopefully. Lonegran said in his interview he knows Betts has the shirt atm and he needs to fight him for it.
I've not seen enough of him to say he should be No1,  but it's healthy to have competition and GK's tend to have a different mindset about being a sub and supporting the man in goal.

not according to david james, he was on radio the other day talking about his liverpool days. cant remember who the other keeper was, but he said he hated him and never spoke to him purely because he was a rival for the number 1 jersey.

[MJG]

Number 1 will be which ever keeper plays the best hopefully. Lonegran said in his interview he knows Betts has the shirt atm and he needs to fight him for it.
I've not seen enough of him to say he should be No1,  but it's healthy to have competition and GK's tend to have a different mindset about being a sub and supporting the man in goal.

not according to david james, he was on radio the other day talking about his liverpool days. cant remember who the other keeper was, but he said he hated him and never spoke to him purely because he was a rival for the number 1 jersey.

Well that showed good team spirit didn't it?

[MartyFFC]

it was essentially a training game so team selection is meaningless. Bets will be first choice no question

[Nick Bateman]

The fact Fulham signed "Donny" Lonegan indicates Symons feels Bette-not-on-your-nelli wasn't quite up to the mark.

I'd start with the experienced Lonegan, but his kicking needs to improve.

[fulhamben]

Number 1 will be which ever keeper plays the best hopefully. Lonegran said in his interview he knows Betts has the shirt atm and he needs to fight him for it.
I've not seen enough of him to say he should be No1,  but it's healthy to have competition and GK's tend to have a different mindset about being a sub and supporting the man in goal.

not according to david james, he was on radio the other day talking about his liverpool days. cant remember who the other keeper was, but he said he hated him and never spoke to him purely because he was a rival for the number 1 jersey.

Well that showed good team spirit didn't it?

obviously not, but i should imagine that most of the time the keeper on the bench hopes the number one has a stinker or picks up a knock.

[MJG]

Number 1 will be which ever keeper plays the best hopefully. Lonegran said in his interview he knows Betts has the shirt atm and he needs to fight him for it.
I've not seen enough of him to say he should be No1,  but it's healthy to have competition and GK's tend to have a different mindset about being a sub and supporting the man in goal.

not according to david james, he was on radio the other day talking about his liverpool days. cant remember who the other keeper was, but he said he hated him and never spoke to him purely because he was a rival for the number 1 jersey.

Well that showed good team spirit didn't it?

obviously not, but i should imagine that most of the time the keeper on the bench hopes the number one has a stinker or picks up a knock.

Well let's be honest,  we have all been there when a sub.

[cmg]

I don't think Lonergan would've signed for us without the guarantee of first team football.

This one often crops up. I have never believed that such a guarantee could (or would) be given.

not according to david james, he was on radio the other day talking about his liverpool days. cant remember who the other keeper was, but he said he hated him and never spoke to him purely because he was a rival for the number 1 jersey.

When James first got to Liverpool Bruce Grobbelaar was his main rival, not a difficult man to dislike.
I doubt that the presence of Tony Warner on the books caused him many sleepless nights!