There seems to be some debate at the ground and online about who people prefer in goal. To entertain my own curiosity, I wonder what the split would be here.
I always think goalie is the most difficult position at Wycombe as I cannot remember a time we didn't have a 'poor' goalie who is 'rooted to his line' even though they got us promoted. I went for Franco as he got us where we are and despite Norris's pedigree, I'm not entirely convinced he is that much of a step up. (Other opinions are available.)
I think we saw against Bristol Rovers that Will Norris's distribution is perfectly fine when he's allowed to play the short ball out to the defence. The problem comes with Mike Dodds seemingly instructing him to go long in every other match he's played, which doesn't seem to be a strength of Norris's. But Rav wasn't amazing at long balls out either - and the success we had in the first half of the season came from his short balls. It was only when teams got wise to us and started the high press that we switched tactics. Given that, it comes down to shot stopping and dominance in the box for me. On both of those factors I think Norris shades it.
I've seen nothing yet to convince me that Norris is a big upgrade on Franco, but for me that's not the point.
I don't like the way that Norris joined the club and walked straight into the team.
He should have had to wait for his opportunity like anyone else.
Franco has won several games for us this season with crucial saves at critical times, for example at Wigan and Mansfield.
His display at Wigan was up there with the best goalkeeping displays for us that I've seen.
In my eyes he's been treated shoddily. Poor reward for a run of 26 league games unbeaten from Blackpool away last season, up to Stevenage away on Boxing Day.
Having said all that, while Norris is in the team I will support him.
Although I never felt truly confident with Rav starting, I do feel bad at the way he was ousted. Yet, Norris was the L1 keeper of the year last season, so I've picked him.
The manner of Rav actually getting into the side is odd, when you look at it. He's given the number 1 shirt yet Bishop starts against Wrexham. Bish then gets injured, Rav comes in, and every time Bishop or George covers Franco they don't do anything to warrant starting.
The last game Max played for us was his extraordinary display at Valley Parade in the FLT semi. He was replaced by Rav and didn’t even play in the final.
Allsop made some great saves at Wembley and was replaced by Stocko before the end of the following season.
Admittedly neither replacement had just joined the club but you can only play one keeper at a time.
The jury is still out on Norris, but I don’t think Rav was ever signed as a number one. Otherwise why bring in Bishop or spend money on George?
Like @floyd the jury is still out with me on whether Norris is an upgrade. And it was so harsh on Rav especially with that penalty save in his last game.
But nothing that irritated me with Rav, was he was very pedestrian with getting the game going again, even when the pressure was on. That isn’t enough to say he deserved not to start, but just a notable bugbear for me.
Comments
I always think goalie is the most difficult position at Wycombe as I cannot remember a time we didn't have a 'poor' goalie who is 'rooted to his line' even though they got us promoted. I went for Franco as he got us where we are and despite Norris's pedigree, I'm not entirely convinced he is that much of a step up. (Other opinions are available.)
I think we saw against Bristol Rovers that Will Norris's distribution is perfectly fine when he's allowed to play the short ball out to the defence. The problem comes with Mike Dodds seemingly instructing him to go long in every other match he's played, which doesn't seem to be a strength of Norris's. But Rav wasn't amazing at long balls out either - and the success we had in the first half of the season came from his short balls. It was only when teams got wise to us and started the high press that we switched tactics. Given that, it comes down to shot stopping and dominance in the box for me. On both of those factors I think Norris shades it.
@aloysius is disappointed he can’t vote for Max Stryjek
Norris’ shockingly poor weak right foot stops us from playing out from the back to approximately 33% of the pitch.
I’ve been critical of Rav this season, but he’s definitely been better than Norris has been so far, particularly in building out.
I've seen nothing yet to convince me that Norris is a big upgrade on Franco, but for me that's not the point.
I don't like the way that Norris joined the club and walked straight into the team.
He should have had to wait for his opportunity like anyone else.
Franco has won several games for us this season with crucial saves at critical times, for example at Wigan and Mansfield.
His display at Wigan was up there with the best goalkeeping displays for us that I've seen.
In my eyes he's been treated shoddily. Poor reward for a run of 26 league games unbeaten from Blackpool away last season, up to Stevenage away on Boxing Day.
Having said all that, while Norris is in the team I will support him.
This exactly, Rav did very little wrong and has been superb for us over the course of many games.
Would never have happened under Gaz/Matt the dropping of a player who had performed so well.
Dodds and Norris get my full support though and I would like to see Rav reinstated.
Although I never felt truly confident with Rav starting, I do feel bad at the way he was ousted. Yet, Norris was the L1 keeper of the year last season, so I've picked him.
The manner of Rav actually getting into the side is odd, when you look at it. He's given the number 1 shirt yet Bishop starts against Wrexham. Bish then gets injured, Rav comes in, and every time Bishop or George covers Franco they don't do anything to warrant starting.
The last game Max played for us was his extraordinary display at Valley Parade in the FLT semi. He was replaced by Rav and didn’t even play in the final.
Allsop made some great saves at Wembley and was replaced by Stocko before the end of the following season.
Admittedly neither replacement had just joined the club but you can only play one keeper at a time.
The jury is still out on Norris, but I don’t think Rav was ever signed as a number one. Otherwise why bring in Bishop or spend money on George?
Like @floyd the jury is still out with me on whether Norris is an upgrade. And it was so harsh on Rav especially with that penalty save in his last game.
But nothing that irritated me with Rav, was he was very pedestrian with getting the game going again, even when the pressure was on. That isn’t enough to say he deserved not to start, but just a notable bugbear for me.
Norris’ hospital passes to our pivots are terrifying. Worst short passing keeper I can remember.