Morris minor needs a bit of competition - or we need a new keeper

[fbm]

The point of this thread seems to have wandered off a bit... I think it's a fair shout actually. Yes, Morris is a decent keeper at this level and probably as good as we could expect to get, but he has made more mistakes this season so far than last year put together. Now I understand he's had a virus, which could have affected him, but the lack of competition does lead to complacency as well so I think the competition question is a fair one. Evans was decent competition for Morris last season but without him in the wings and the knowledge that Bentley really is only there for emergencies, it is highly possible that Morris has lost his edge.

It's nothing to do with whether he's a good keeper or not - it's about whether he's on top of his game and perfoming to his best, which he clearly isn't. The reason for that could be a lack of competition.

 

[wiggy]

totaly agree what do we expect for a league 2 team he is a very good keeper at this level

Agree, cause he's not posing and shouting his mouth off like Spildy then some people are not impressed. Agree that he needs competition but think he is a sound safe keeper and there are other areas that need addressing before the no.1.

 

[Chris Powell's mate]

How's the memory? You still thinking? Showing your age.

Last post from me on this subject: as it said at the beginning 'discuss'. Have to work for a living and all that, BUT thanks to the wonder of archive footage, did a reccy that time would allow through a few defeats and draws.
The commentator said on three occasions in four games: "Morris gathers at the second attempt..." and the effect this has on the others is what?
And so 2010-11: Aldershot 1-0 Blues (Morris lets ball out of grasp for Morgan winner); Wycombe 3-1 Blues (second goal he's nowhere near the cross); Accrington 3-1 Blues (ditto Wycombe, remembering these were crucial goals that turned the tide); Stockport 2-1 S'end (not quick enough to smother their winner);
Arguably, four points more from these alone. Maybe others will remember more?
Morris is OK - but players like a keeper who COMMANDS his box and looks as if he's not about to miss the next centre or fumble the ball.
I repeat what I said earlier: Sansome, Cawston, Flahavan, and even Mildenhall all played for Blues at the fourth tier of football.

 

[Ayrshire Blue]

Morris is a good keeper for this level and even the level up. I'd rather have had him in our L1 team than Mildenhall.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Football is such a fickle game.
He makes an incredible save at Accrington and everybody loves him.
He spills a ball for an offside goal that was disallowed and he isn't good enough. He got away with it. That's the end, he kept another clean sheet.
Please!

 

[OldBlueLady]

Worries me a little but Tuesday I gave him benefit of the doubt as he'd been reported as having had a bout of flu recently. Solid but unspectacular is how I see him.

 

[Clinton Baptiste]

Notice Luggy makes a point of defending him in todays Echo. I agree the lack of competition and coaching is probably the factor. Sorry but the two mistakes on tuesday were shocking, flu or not. Lucky they didnt cost us. Yes he makes some very good saves but he should not be making those sort of silly errors.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Was surprised to see him play tbh, fully expected Bentley to be the keeper Tuesday.

 

[Onion_Bag_Dave]

Gonna have a bit of a rant here.
I was listening to Adrian Durham and Goughy on Talk sport yesterday, Adrian Durham was annihilating Peter Crouch for his goal scoring record for England, saying that he has only scored against poor teams. Which whilst he may not have scored against Brazil etc. He still HAS scored 22 in 42 for England. Now he can only score against who is put in front of him.

This is similiar to this Morris debate, at the end of the day (sorry) Crouch has scored goals, Morris has kept clean sheets.
Until he has made serious mistakes that seriously cost us, you can't really say much. If we win the league and Morris makes a few mistakes a long the way and the goals are always disallowed then it tells you something about his game as a whole.

Being a GK is so difficult on mistakes because if you make one it is often costly whereas if Ryan Hall loses the ball it wont often be that costly.

Similiar to Ashton's swan dive for the England Rugby team, until he drops that ball and the try doesn't count, you can't have a go at him!

I suppose you can express your concern, but until it costs us, there isn't really much to be said In my opinion!

BACK THE BLOKE, HE HAS WON US GAMES, AND WHEN YOU HAVE A KEEPER THAT CAN WIN YOU GAMES WITH GREAT SAVES, YOU REALLY ARE ONTO A WINNING COMBINATION!

 

[McNasty]

If people are going to moan about Morris, no-one has mentioned the 2 dynamic howlers that lost us the game against our great rivals Lincoln. Oh sorry that was Evans.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

I repeat what I said earlier: Sansome, Cawston, Flahavan, and even Mildenhall all played for Blues at the fourth tier of football.

Epic Fail.

And you want to call Flahaven as an example? Flavs and Morris are very similar types of goalkeepers (both shot stoppers not so good at the aerial & command aspects of the role), no doubt Darryl was better than Morris, but Glen is better at commanding the box than Darryl was. It's true Morris is in a slump at the moment and is not as confident as he has been, all the more reason to back him.

Besides Mildy only playing for us in lg1, I'm still not sure why you're using him as an example of what Morris should be doing, he had plenty of critics of his own and errors too especially to start off with when he lacked confidence, which just seems to add to the back Morris viewpoint rather than yours.

You can't expect every keeper to be a legend like Sansome or Royce (I never saw Cawston), and it's unfair to do so.

 

[Southend Neil]

Last post from me on this subject: as it said at the beginning 'discuss'. Have to work for a living and all that, BUT thanks to the wonder of archive footage, did a reccy that time would allow through a few defeats and draws.
The commentator said on three occasions in four games: "Morris gathers at the second attempt..." and the effect this has on the others is what?
And so 2010-11: Aldershot 1-0 Blues (Morris lets ball out of grasp for Morgan winner); Wycombe 3-1 Blues (second goal he's nowhere near the cross); Accrington 3-1 Blues (ditto Wycombe, remembering these were crucial goals that turned the tide); Stockport 2-1 S'end (not quick enough to smother their winner);
Arguably, four points more from these alone. Maybe others will remember more?
Morris is OK - but players like a keeper who COMMANDS his box and looks as if he's not about to miss the next centre or fumble the ball.
I repeat what I said earlier: Sansome, Cawston, Flahavan, and even Mildenhall all played for Blues at the fourth tier of football.

Quite right, its a complete myth that he has suddenly dipped because of a virus. He wasn't much better last year and made a succession of mistakes mainly stemming from a complete lack of ability to claim crosses, Accrington and Wycombe being particular examples.

I dont see why we should treat the goalkeeping position different to any other, we have competition all over the pitch but not in goal. Far better to have just 4 centre mids and 2 proper keepers rather than 5 and 1, for example I would rather Kalala's (who I dont see a role for) wages go on a keeper.

Also why is it because we are league 2, by being solid and average he is as good as we expect to get for this level? I dont see people saying the same about other positions, otherwise we would have no chance of going up and as mentioned we have had far better keepers at this level before.

I am hoping that this weakness and trying to fill this position on the cheap doesn't cost us promotion, hopefully the defence and midfield will cover it.

 

[lazy]

Morris has done well for us. Always been pretty steady, nothing overly spectacular but a good keeper.

I will agree that he has looked shaky the last couple of games but everyone has bad games, just hope it isn't a bad spell he's going through.

 

[DTS]

Wikepedia gives Glen Morris' height as six-foot - it doesn't seem it to me.
And although I wasn't there against Crawley on Tuesday, one can see players shaking their heads on the highlights when he dropped the ball in front of Tubbs for their offside goal.
In fact, that game brought all the boy's failings to the surface: not imposing enough, and not savvy enough in a tough league.
Nearly every posting I've read reckons he does OK. I was rather hoping it might occasionally say he saved us a point - or all three.
Yeah, I know a loan keeper costs, but their goal at Accrington, the rush of blood to the head at Port Vale for their first, and the feeling he's going to drop the next fierce shot or corner throughout the season so far worries me mightily...

Hard to disagree.

I would have him at fault for Accringtons goal, Port Vales first and maybe one or the Crawley goals too. Whilst he is generally a solid keeper I dont think this poster deserves stick for raising a valid point. Bentley is not really a threat at yet where as last season Evans was (all be it he was dire).

 

[Angell Delight]

Hard to disagree.

I would have him at fault for Accringtons goal, Port Vales first and maybe one or the Crawley goals too. Whilst he is generally a solid keeper I dont think this poster deserves stick for raising a valid point. Bentley is not really a threat at yet where as last season Evans was (all be it he was dire).

I think Morris looked better last season due to the fact that Evans was so dreadful. I think GM is a solid L2 keeper, no more than that and no less. He's not been on top form so far IMHO but he's more than capable at this level.

 

[easton8]

Last post from me on this subject: as it said at the beginning 'discuss'. Have to work for a living and all that, BUT thanks to the wonder of archive footage, did a reccy that time would allow through a few defeats and draws.
The commentator said on three occasions in four games: "Morris gathers at the second attempt..." and the effect this has on the others is what?
And so 2010-11: Aldershot 1-0 Blues (Morris lets ball out of grasp for Morgan winner); Wycombe 3-1 Blues (second goal he's nowhere near the cross); Accrington 3-1 Blues (ditto Wycombe, remembering these were crucial goals that turned the tide); Stockport 2-1 S'end (not quick enough to smother their winner);
Arguably, four points more from these alone. Maybe others will remember more?
Morris is OK - but players like a keeper who COMMANDS his box and looks as if he's not about to miss the next centre or fumble the ball.
I repeat what I said earlier: Sansome, Cawston, Flahavan, and even Mildenhall all played for Blues at the fourth tier of football.

It does make me laugh when I read your posts! I went to every game bar 1 last year and Evans played in that one so I don't need to read what people post, or what commentators say, or trawl through old videos to form an opinion. I played my whole career as a keeper 20 odd years til the knees packed in a few years ago, but I don't miss it now I can follow the Blues. Now after all those years I can't help concentrating on what our keeper or the other keeper is doing during games or their positioning. I mainly played county level and wasn't good enough to be a pro so I'm no expert but I've had some good coaching over the years. As a result of missing previous seasons I can't comment too much about previous Southend keepers although watched a fair bit of Flavs and Mildy, so I'd rather deal in the present than harp on about 50 years ago. Morris is far better than Mildy technically and I believe Morris would have conceeded far fewer in the relegation season. I'm sure most fans would prefer to see Mildy in goal then the keeper I consider one of the best if not the best Iker Casillas who is under 6 foot. Or the Valdes for Barcelona who's 6 foot. Every keeper that isn't a big lump gets labelled as not being commanding, and its got nothing to do with performance and everything to do with the spectators perception. I'm taller than Morris but have to admit I wasn't that commanding as punched most of the time as my catching was on David James level.

I thought Evans was an average L2 keeper, and Morris was much the better keeper so what does that make Morris? I watch the howlers on Football League each week in L2, I don't think he's an average L2 keeper. Yes league 2 is a tough place for keepers where you often get an aerial bombardment without as much protection from ref. The defending isn't to the standard of say the Prem so keepers can get drawn out to deal with situations. However, I'd much rather a keeper that comes out and deals with these situations even if it results in a couple of goals a season than a keeper that will stay rooted so that nobody can point the blame at them. I remember myself times I'd try and dominate and times I'd look after myself and not try to deal with things. Thing with being a keeper is you can have 10 good games, miss one cross and all of a sudden your useless. I think we have good quality in every position this season, but I can't think of too many players that have performed to their best in every game? Poss Phillips, but people love blaming keepers. There's no praise when Morris picks out Dickinson he flicks it to Hall, he shins it top corner 2-1 Accrington. People think goalies just try and kick it as far as they can, but unless you put it in the right areas defenders will win 9 out of 10.

I was at all the games you picked out. Accrington slaughtered us that night it was one of our worst performances yet you wanna blame Morris. That would be the goal that we all heard Morris call for but Baker half pulled out of the header but still headed it backwards. Baker then apologises, so what is the keeper supposed to do? So we're blaming him for defenders mistakes now ok. Aldershot, would be when Spencer kicked the ball straight after Morris had grabbed it. Morris was adamant he had it and after the game I remember Morgans interview saying they had got away with one there but the ref missed it so they all count. Wycombe just as he punched 2 players clattered into him, but even if we blame him for that one anyone who was at that game could see there was only going to be one winner. They were a little more "up for" that game with promotion at stake. The Stockport is the most laughable, anyone who has player go and watch the Stockport goal where they are queuing up unmarked and smash from 6 yards into the top corner! In fact go and watch all of those goals. If that is the best you had from the 60-70 goals we conceeded last year you're a joke. If we analysed any keeper over a season you'd expect 5-10 proper mistakes that cost goals. Rob Green Englands no2 makes a fair few, even in World cup games. It comes with the job, nobody is a machine that doesn't commit any errors.

Worst thing about being a keeper is that one half you have oppo fans slagging you off, then you go up your own end and the home fans slate you. Prob the one position you really need your fans to back you.

 

[wiggy]

It does make me laugh when I read your posts! I went to every game bar 1 last year and Evans played in that one so I don't need to read what people post, or what commentators say, or trawl through old videos to form an opinion. I played my whole career as a keeper 20 odd years til the knees packed in a few years ago, but I don't miss it now I can follow the Blues. Now after all those years I can't help concentrating on what our keeper or the other keeper is doing during games or their positioning. I mainly played county level and wasn't good enough to be a pro so I'm no expert but I've had some good coaching over the years. As a result of missing previous seasons I can't comment too much about previous Southend keepers although watched a fair bit of Flavs and Mildy, so I'd rather deal in the present than harp on about 50 years ago. Morris is far better than Mildy technically and I believe Morris would have conceeded far fewer in the relegation season. I'm sure most fans would prefer to see Mildy in goal then the keeper I consider one of the best if not the best Iker Casillas who is under 6 foot. Or the Valdes for Barcelona who's 6 foot. Every keeper that isn't a big lump gets labelled as not being commanding, and its got nothing to do with performance and everything to do with the spectators perception. I'm taller than Morris but have to admit I wasn't that commanding as punched most of the time as my catching was on David James level.

I thought Evans was an average L2 keeper, and Morris was much the better keeper so what does that make Morris? I watch the howlers on Football League each week in L2, I don't think he's an average L2 keeper. Yes league 2 is a tough place for keepers where you often get an aerial bombardment without as much protection from ref. The defending isn't to the standard of say the Prem so keepers can get drawn out to deal with situations. However, I'd much rather a keeper that comes out and deals with these situations even if it results in a couple of goals a season than a keeper that will stay rooted so that nobody can point the blame at them. I remember myself times I'd try and dominate and times I'd look after myself and not try to deal with things. Thing with being a keeper is you can have 10 good games, miss one cross and all of a sudden your useless. I think we have good quality in every position this season, but I can't think of too many players that have performed to their best in every game? Poss Phillips, but people love blaming keepers. There's no praise when Morris picks out Dickinson he flicks it to Hall, he shins it top corner 2-1 Accrington. People think goalies just try and kick it as far as they can, but unless you put it in the right areas defenders will win 9 out of 10.

I was at all the games you picked out. Accrington slaughtered us that night it was one of our worst performances yet you wanna blame Morris. That would be the goal that we all heard Morris call for but Baker half pulled out of the header but still headed it backwards. Baker then apologises, so what is the keeper supposed to do? So we're blaming him for defenders mistakes now ok. Aldershot, would be when Spencer kicked the ball straight after Morris had grabbed it. Morris was adamant he had it and after the game I remember Morgans interview saying they had got away with one there but the ref missed it so they all count. Wycombe just as he punched 2 players clattered into him, but even if we blame him for that one anyone who was at that game could see there was only going to be one winner. They were a little more "up for" that game with promotion at stake. The Stockport is the most laughable, anyone who has player go and watch the Stockport goal where they are queuing up unmarked and smash from 6 yards into the top corner! In fact go and watch all of those goals. If that is the best you had from the 60-70 goals we conceeded last year you're a joke. If we analysed any keeper over a season you'd expect 5-10 proper mistakes that cost goals. Rob Green Englands no2 makes a fair few, even in World cup games. It comes with the job, nobody is a machine that doesn't commit any errors.

Worst thing about being a keeper is that one half you have oppo fans slagging you off, then you go up your own end and the home fans slate you. Prob the one position you really need your fans to back you.

Great post, at last someone that understands the keeper position. Safest hands, Flahavan {Lee Turners words not mine}, Next best Morris.......tailed off and quite happy to get splinters for the rest of his career Steve Spilldenhall!

 

[Norwichshrimper]

It does make me laugh when I read your posts! I went to every game bar 1 last year and Evans played in that one so I don't need to read what people post, or what commentators say, or trawl through old videos to form an opinion. I played my whole career as a keeper 20 odd years til the knees packed in a few years ago, but I don't miss it now I can follow the Blues. Now after all those years I can't help concentrating on what our keeper or the other keeper is doing during games or their positioning. I mainly played county level and wasn't good enough to be a pro so I'm no expert but I've had some good coaching over the years. As a result of missing previous seasons I can't comment too much about previous Southend keepers although watched a fair bit of Flavs and Mildy, so I'd rather deal in the present than harp on about 50 years ago. Morris is far better than Mildy technically and I believe Morris would have conceeded far fewer in the relegation season. I'm sure most fans would prefer to see Mildy in goal then the keeper I consider one of the best if not the best Iker Casillas who is under 6 foot. Or the Valdes for Barcelona who's 6 foot. Every keeper that isn't a big lump gets labelled as not being commanding, and its got nothing to do with performance and everything to do with the spectators perception. I'm taller than Morris but have to admit I wasn't that commanding as punched most of the time as my catching was on David James level.

I thought Evans was an average L2 keeper, and Morris was much the better keeper so what does that make Morris? I watch the howlers on Football League each week in L2, I don't think he's an average L2 keeper. Yes league 2 is a tough place for keepers where you often get an aerial bombardment without as much protection from ref. The defending isn't to the standard of say the Prem so keepers can get drawn out to deal with situations. However, I'd much rather a keeper that comes out and deals with these situations even if it results in a couple of goals a season than a keeper that will stay rooted so that nobody can point the blame at them. I remember myself times I'd try and dominate and times I'd look after myself and not try to deal with things. Thing with being a keeper is you can have 10 good games, miss one cross and all of a sudden your useless. I think we have good quality in every position this season, but I can't think of too many players that have performed to their best in every game? Poss Phillips, but people love blaming keepers. There's no praise when Morris picks out Dickinson he flicks it to Hall, he shins it top corner 2-1 Accrington. People think goalies just try and kick it as far as they can, but unless you put it in the right areas defenders will win 9 out of 10.

I was at all the games you picked out. Accrington slaughtered us that night it was one of our worst performances yet you wanna blame Morris. That would be the goal that we all heard Morris call for but Baker half pulled out of the header but still headed it backwards. Baker then apologises, so what is the keeper supposed to do? So we're blaming him for defenders mistakes now ok. Aldershot, would be when Spencer kicked the ball straight after Morris had grabbed it. Morris was adamant he had it and after the game I remember Morgans interview saying they had got away with one there but the ref missed it so they all count. Wycombe just as he punched 2 players clattered into him, but even if we blame him for that one anyone who was at that game could see there was only going to be one winner. They were a little more "up for" that game with promotion at stake. The Stockport is the most laughable, anyone who has player go and watch the Stockport goal where they are queuing up unmarked and smash from 6 yards into the top corner! In fact go and watch all of those goals. If that is the best you had from the 60-70 goals we conceeded last year you're a joke. If we analysed any keeper over a season you'd expect 5-10 proper mistakes that cost goals. Rob Green Englands no2 makes a fair few, even in World cup games. It comes with the job, nobody is a machine that doesn't commit any errors.

Worst thing about being a keeper is that one half you have oppo fans slagging you off, then you go up your own end and the home fans slate you. Prob the one position you really need your fans to back you.

I too played in goal for my sins throughout my playing career and agree with almost all of what you say - however I don't agree that Morris is better than Mildenhall technically..personally I didn't/don't rate either of them hugely, but I'd pick Mildenhall given the choice. But as is often said, t'is all about opinion.

I do agree Morris' distribution is an asset though.

 

[wiggy]

I too played in goal for my sins throughout my playing career and agree with almost all of what you say - however I don't agree that Morris is better than Mildenhall technically..personally I didn't/don't rate either of them hugely, but I'd pick Mildenhall given the choice. But as is often said, t'is all about opinion.

I do agree Morris' distribution is an asset though.

Did you ever see Spildy try and gather low ones, made Joyce look like Peter Shilton!