Tooj Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 A couple of things have sprung to me as of late with regards to Harper. Since he's become first choice he seems to be very sluggish to react to things and probably could do with being a bit lighter. At times he appears very hesitant when making decisions. Although he did make a couple of canny saves yesterday from what I remember. Also his kicking is now as bad as Given's, or it appears to be. Now I also used to remember him having quite good distribution, but it's just aimless punts to Martins, that at times go nowhere near him, or despite his leap it's pointless aiming long balls at Martins all day long. There has been plenty of opportunities for him to take a goal kick quick and knock it out to a defender, yet he never does this. Which then gives the opposition time to regroup and reorganize. I'm not sure if it's tactical mind, but just what I see happening. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyn davies Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 whilst covering for Given there was an incentive for him to play well now there ain't therefore true colours come to the fore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRon Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 In his first game back he was throwing the ball out to defenders to start playing from the back which all proper football sides do, now he's gradually punting it upfield more and more just like Given did. I don't know whether that's due to instruction or just playing safe. Otherwise he is what he is - a competent keeper who will do an unspectacular job. Krul and Forster are probably much more gifted but are inexperienced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filflop1 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Some of his save yesterday where class, Every thread at the minute is ripping into players we should try and put this past us and get behind them 150% to try and keep us up. getting on cases is only going to make things worse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Some of his save yesterday where class, Every thread at the minute is ripping into players we should try and put this past us and get behind them 150% to try and keep us up. getting on cases is only going to make things worse I get behind them at the match though. I come on here to talk about things and criticise if needs be. But just because someone is wearing the shirt doesn't mean to me on here they're exempt from criticism. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mofo Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Harper is the least of our worries. Is he as good as given.... no. But we all new that , thats why given was no. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Filflop1 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Thats fair enough its just sometimes it goes from constructive critcism to just plain slagging off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 He isn't fully fit apparently. Has a knee problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 L'Equipe, who are very pro-Arsenal because of their French connection, are raving about his performance. http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2009/20090321_202441_mu-et-chelsea-ko-arsenal-ok.html Last sentence of the round-up of Premiership games says.. "If he couldn't save Newcastle, Harper at least proved that there are good English goalkeepers in England"> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Harper has made some cracking saves, but I agree that at times he seems hesitant and then looks a bit panicky when he has decided what he is going to do. Despite that though I think he is still a great keeper and will come good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_n_white Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Harper has made some cracking saves, but I agree that at times he seems hesitant and then looks a bit panicky when he has decided what he is going to do. Despite that though I think he is still a great keeper and will come good. Come good? Hes 34ish now isnt he? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Harper has made some cracking saves, but I agree that at times he seems hesitant and then looks a bit panicky when he has decided what he is going to do. Despite that though I think he is still a great keeper and will come good. Come good? Hes 34ish now isnt he? And he is only just first choice keeper. I think he's rusty rather than anything else. At 34 he has still got 4-5 years left in him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BooBoo Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 We can't simply play him on the basis that he hung around in Given's shadow for so long and so deserves his chance. That was his choice. Fact is, he's not up to scratch and is costing us goals. Now is not the time to lob in youngsters like Krul and Forster but i would be looking to start one next season or failing that, bringing in someone else to don the gloves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slim Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 said this before given was sold he is not as good as peaople thin and he is being found out now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Made a couple of great saves yesterday but was certainly at fault for their 3rd and as you pointed out in the opening post he looks overweight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldo Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 he's making saves that he should be making. He's also making lots of errors, worrying Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil K Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Not the keeper he was when he actually kept Given out of the team for a while. I always thought he was very unlucky. Sadly, I reluctantly agree maybe we'd be better off long term with Krul and have a fresh start with a lot of the kids instead of a pack of overpaid, sulking "stars" who aren't putting in the effort needed. We're doomed anyways, thanks to no tactics coming out from where they SHOULD be coming from. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmymag Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Harper has made some cracking saves, but I agree that at times he seems hesitant and then looks a bit panicky when he has decided what he is going to do. Despite that though I think he is still a great keeper and will come good. Wouldn't you look "a bit panicky" with that defence in front of you?! As someone else said Harper's the least of our worries, I think he's more than up to the job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Its football not ever keeper is going to stop every shot, yeah okay Given was better but he left and wanted to leave so fk him, Harper is here and has been loyal to us, give the lad a chance to find his feet and gain more match fitness and sharpness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 are some ppl on here goalkeeper experts, bar 1-2 keepers in the world would of saved that 3rd goal it was hit with precision and speed that he could hardly get down before it was past him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 are some ppl on here goalkeeper experts, bar 1-2 keepers in the world would of saved that 3rd goal it was hit with precision and speed that he could hardly get down before it was past him Due to poor positioning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest neesy111 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 are some ppl on here goalkeeper experts, bar 1-2 keepers in the world would of saved that 3rd goal it was hit with precision and speed that he could hardly get down before it was past him Due to poor positioning. notice how only newcastle fan's have picked up on it, there are some really fickle fan's on this board Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Howaythetoon Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Some of his shot stopping reactions yesterday were first clash but as Tooj says he seems sluggish and several times he failed to communicate with Colo and Bassong to leave the ball as it was going through to him. His kicking is extremely poor too, as is his decision making when kicking. That said, he is the least of our problems and a more than good enough custodian in goal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 are some ppl on here goalkeeper experts, bar 1-2 keepers in the world would of saved that 3rd goal it was hit with precision and speed that he could hardly get down before it was past him Due to poor positioning. notice how only newcastle fan's have picked up on it, there are some really fickle fan's on this board Why would fans of other clubs be looking and trying to analyze our performance to the same detail as Newcastle fans? http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6105/harper.jpg Too big a gap at his near post imo, but just because I'm pointing out an error it doesn't mean I'm fickle, I've also mentioned he made some very good saves yesterday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Howaythetoon Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 are some ppl on here goalkeeper experts, bar 1-2 keepers in the world would of saved that 3rd goal it was hit with precision and speed that he could hardly get down before it was past him Due to poor positioning. notice how only newcastle fan's have picked up on it, there are some really fickle fan's on this board Why would fans of other clubs be looking and trying to analyze our performance to the same detail as Newcastle fans? http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6105/harper.jpg Too big a gap at his near post imo, but just because I'm pointing out an error it doesn't mean I'm fickle, I've also mentioned he made some very good saves yesterday. The rule of thumb with 'keepers is "can you cover it"? Harper did have it covered but failed to react quickly enough, that was his error, not his positioning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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