Nick Pope

[Lush Vlad]

It’s almost too convenient that injury. But it seems mad that we would go to such lengths to cover up him being dropped. Risky not having him in the matchday squad and all. 
 

Ramsdale’s time to shine now. Unlike with Dubravka, who did play well in Pope’s absence. I can’t see Ramsdale having a decent 6-8 games or more and Pope

coming back in once fit. 

[Hanshithispantz]

I'd love Ramsdale to become world class, but I think realistically we're going to have to spend big on a keeper at some point soon (unless we can get Trafford for cheap and think he's good enough still).

 

There's just too much of a drop-off from your average Prem keeper and Raya/Allison. 

[McDog]

3 hours ago, Conjo said:

 

Or so he was told by our "specialist".

 

 

Pope: "But it doesn't hurt, not at all!"

Specialist: "These groin injuries are insidious. Ask Isak. You don't always feel 'em but you can't safely play until I say it's gone away."

[Weezertron]

Unless I'm falling for Eddie's presser patter, Nick will for sure come back in when fit. He's trying very hard to build up Pope, while Aaron gets a few half arsed compliments lol

[TRon]

3 hours ago, GEFAFWISP said:

Puts us in a bind if he does excel, do we stick or twist with a £25 mil fee come season end or go for the top shagger.

 

Also, hoping he does excel and go on a run like Dubravka's last year getting clean sheets al owa the shop.

 

 

I've already posted in the Trafford thread that I don't see City giving us the same deal we had lined up with his former club. Why would they do us any favours? If we buy him we will have to pay through the nose. 

[andycap]

Cannot believe we look like we have a quality ball playing keeper in the team at a good age for a decent fee just hoping eddie makes it permanent so we aren't rushing around trying to get another keeper in in the summer. 

[Benwell Lad]

Got to say I really like Ramsdale and glad he's at the club and I'm fully aware of the parts of his game where he's stronger than Pope but Pope saves both of those efforts last night, he really is a shot stopper supreme and we need to appreciate that.

We've got two very good keepers in the club and we need them both in the matchday squad. At the minute we're a mistimed tackle or muscle strain away from Jak Alnwick playing against the mackems.

[Lush Vlad]

Back in 10 days, apparently. Not sure if that means he’s playing against Fulham in the cup or not. 

[SteV]

On 07/12/2025 at 09:17, Lush Vlad said:

Back in 10 days, apparently. Not sure if that means he’s playing against Fulham in the cup or not. 

Confirmed by Howe today. Sounds like he’ll be ready for tomorrow or Chelsea.

[timeEd32]

Pope vs. Ramsdale

all stats per 90 min; all comps (excluding tonight's game)

 

First things first, the kicking:

Live ball passes completed: 20.4 Pope vs. 26.7 Ramsdale

Completion %: 69.9 vs. 77.2

Shot creating actions: 0.24 vs. 0.58

Passes received: 11.5 vs. 20.8

Progressive passing distance: 354.3 vs. 413.7

Passes into final third: 0.12 vs. 0.38

 

So as expected Ramsdale provides an upgrade with his feet - we use him more, he completes more passes, and he helps us get the ball forward.

 

Goal prevention and defensive actions

Defensive actions outside penalty area: 2.68 Pope vs. 1.40 Ramsdale

Avg. distance of all defensive actions: 17 yards vs. 15 yards

Crosses stopped %: 12.1 vs. 5.5

Goals against: 1.01 vs. 1.39

Save %: 77.6 vs. 71.4

Clean sheet %: 47.1 vs. 14.3

 

The most concerning thing in here to me, which I think is visible watching the games, is the crosses stopped %. And to make matters worse, with Pope in goal we were facing 12.8 crosses per game (equivalent to fourth fewest in the PL behind City, Arsenal, and Chelsea). With Ramsdale in goal we're facing 18.2 crosses per game, equivalent to third most in the PL behind Burnley and West Ham. Also Pope's crosses stopped % climbs to 15.5% in league games, which is best in the league (Ramsdale's remains the same). 

 

It's nice to have a keeper whose feet aren't a liability and that should remain high on the wishlist for 2026/27, but there should be no GK controversy this season when Pope is fit.

[r0cafella]

17 minutes ago, timeEd32 said:

Pope vs. Ramsdale

all stats per 90 min; all comps (excluding tonight's game)

 

First things first, the kicking:

Live ball passes completed: 20.4 Pope vs. 26.7 Ramsdale

Completion %: 69.9 vs. 77.2

Shot creating actions: 0.24 vs. 0.58

Passes received: 11.5 vs. 20.8

Progressive passing distance: 354.3 vs. 413.7

Passes into final third: 0.12 vs. 0.38

 

So as expected Ramsdale provides an upgrade with his feet - we use him more, he completes more passes, and he helps us get the ball forward.

 

Goal prevention and defensive actions

Defensive actions outside penalty area: 2.68 Pope vs. 1.40 Ramsdale

Avg. distance of all defensive actions: 17 yards vs. 15 yards

Crosses stopped %: 12.1 vs. 5.5

Goals against: 1.01 vs. 1.39

Save %: 77.6 vs. 71.4

Clean sheet %: 47.1 vs. 14.3

 

The most concerning thing in here to me, which I think is visible watching the games, is the crosses stopped %. And to make matters worse, with Pope in goal we were facing 12.8 crosses per game (equivalent to fourth fewest in the PL behind City, Arsenal, and Chelsea). With Ramsdale in goal we're facing 18.2 crosses per game, equivalent to third most in the PL behind Burnley and West Ham. Also Pope's crosses stopped % climbs to 15.5% in league games, which is best in the league (Ramsdale's remains the same). 

 

It's nice to have a keeper whose feet aren't a liability and that should remain high on the wishlist for 2026/27, but there should be no GK controversy this season when Pope is fit.

Good to see the data matching the eye test. Hopefully we can find us a complete goal keeper as it will be an upgrade on what we have. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

It shows we need a new keeper, not sure it shows Pope is definitely the best option. Depends how damaging each set of weaknesses is to how we play, not sure if anything in those numbers tells you that. 

 

I honestly don't know, if we go back to Pope I know we'll just be frustrated by how it affects our buildup play. 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2025 by AyeDubbleYoo

[cubaricho]

I'm still in the Ramsdale over Pope club at this point. There hasn't been enough of a sample size to put up any real numbers that mean anything when it comes to the defensive side of the keeper position. The offensive side is clear as daylight though no matter how many games so far.

[McDog]

I'm more Popey but I can see it's a close call at this point.

[timeEd32]

30 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

It shows we need a new keeper, not sure it shows Pope is definitely the best option. Depends how damaging each set of weaknesses is to how we play, not sure if anything in those numbers tells you that. 

 

I honestly don't know, if we go back to Pope I know we'll just be frustrated by how it affects our buildup play. 

 

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, cubaricho said:

I'm still in the Ramsdale over Pope club at this point. There hasn't been enough of a sample size to put up any real numbers that mean anything when it comes to the defensive side of the keeper position. The offensive side is clear as daylight though no matter how many games so far.

 

Disagree with both of you - Pope's command of the penalty area and his shot stopping is a bigger deal than Ramsdale's kicking upgrade. 

 

And I think even more important with the loss of Burn, which means we're downgrading in certain defensive aspects (clearances, tackles won, and aerial duels per 90) but gives us an upgrade in ball playing ability from the back. 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

You might be right, I just meant it’s more of a judgement than anything proven specifically by the stats you shared. 
 

Like I said, I can’t really decide but I know I’ll be annoyed by Pope again. 

[cubaricho]

25 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I know I’ll be annoyed by Pope again. 

 

If he walks straight back in then that's a problem. It's Ramsdale's to lose at this point.

[Gawalls]

I love popes command of the box but I'd rather we didn't rush pope if we are and let's him rest properly.

[Erikse]

I suspect that some of the numbers are skewed by the fact that Tino and Hall are now the fullback, rather than the ultra defensive ones we had before that. How many crosses we've faced for instance.

[The College Dropout]

On 29/11/2025 at 16:29, Danh1 said:

No way is he injured mind. Glad to see Ramsdale start regardless. 

How times have changed. 

[Lush Vlad]

Good stats @timeEd32 backs up what basically everyone has been seeing and saying.  
 

I suppose the question is. Is Ramsdale’s passing ability more of a benefit to the team vs his weaknesses?

 

I’ve been surprised at how glued to the spot he is. For set pieces, crosses and when the ball comes near him from a shot or otherwise. 
 

For all Pope’s faults and I know the crowd will go full Elanga on him the minute he starts spooning it all over the place  I don’t think it’s even a debate at this point. As I don’t think Ramsdale has been good at all. Been disappointed TBH. As it hasn’t been anything like the change I was hoping for. 
 

New keeper in January/the summer required, 100%. Priority position now. 

[McCormick]

I like Ramsdale’s kicking, but I really dislike goalkeepers who make straightforward saves look spectacular, and he’s firmly in that category for me. By contrast, Pope (clangers aside) consistently makes ridiculous saves look routine. There were a few games where Ramsdale barely faced a shot on target and still ended up conceding.

Pope is massively underrated in my opinion; as a pure goalie, he’s among the best in the league. If he had better distribution, he’d have attracted far bigger offers than us at the time.

 

 

Edited December 18, 2025 by McCormick

[Rod]

7 minutes ago, McCormick said:

I like his kicking, but I really dislike goalkeepers who make straightforward saves look spectacular, and he’s firmly in that category for me. By contrast, Pope (clangers aside) consistently makes ridiculous saves look routine. There were a few games where Ramsdale barely faced a shot on target and still ended up conceding.

Pope is massively underrated in my opinion; as a pure goalie, he’s among the best in the league. If he had better distribution, he’d have attracted far bigger offers than us at the time.

Exactly this.

[mosstef]

4 minutes ago, McCormick said:

I like Ramsdale’s kicking, but I really dislike goalkeepers who make straightforward saves look spectacular, and he’s firmly in that category for me. By contrast, Pope (clangers aside) consistently makes ridiculous saves look routine. There were a few games where Ramsdale barely faced a shot on target and still ended up conceding.

Pope is massively underrated in my opinion; as a pure goalie, he’s among the best in the league. If he had better distribution, he’d have attracted far bigger offers than us at the time.

 

 

 

 

I hang out with former Man Utd and Burnley keeper Anders Lindegaard once in a while here in Copenhagen, and he knows Nick Pope from Burnley (they still have regular contact). He believes that Pope is the best GK in the league on pure shot-stopping ability, but also says that he's absolutely the worst professional footballer he's ever played with in terms of using his feet to control and kick a ball 

[Kid Icarus]

On 26/11/2025 at 08:28, Kid Icarus said:

I do think Ramsdale is probably imminent but I also think it'll be followed by a clamouring for Pope to come back in. 

 

It is time.