The goalkeepers at the club.

Are we stocking up Goalkeepers?

We have Iceman at 22, KK at 20, Christy at 19, Obeng at 18 and now Mahady at 16.

Not to mention Robles at 32+. And the guy who had a serious car accident.

Maybe Meslier will stay with us for a couple of years then the line of succession will be revealed.

Very pertinent conversation given Luther Burrell's statements this week - very good BBC article worth a read. It really brings home that even changing room "banter" that you might think isn't meant to offend actually does.

Nelson Piquet - used a word this week which he says was taken "out of context" but the damage is done. We've come a long way with racism and homophobia but there's a long way still to go.

Back to keepers if we must TC10, keep hearing the Ben Foster short term deal being baited around - still reckon there's a backup wise old head going to come in.

Don't know how this thread got developed under the topic of 'goalkeepers at the club'....

I must apologise if you think I'm being keeperist....

Fair play BB and great story....

When I played a good standard of football in the late 80s for 10yrs, I can honestly say that I didn't see any racism in MY world of football...

Our team had maybe 5/6 black players in the squad and 2 of them are still my best mates.... one was usher at my wedding and the other I lived with for 2yrs after both our marriages coincidentally failed at the same time. I don't even know if I'm 'allowed' to say I've got 2 black mates these days!?

I do feel sad for you BB with your last paragraph in saying that I should step into your shoes for a bit.... you've obviously encountered worst racism than my mates who, although they are English black people, are very proud of their ancestors heritage and backgrounds.... hope I've put this succinctly enough for you to get the gist! 👍

If we all want to be the same, and hopefully we'll get there, can somebody please explain the following?

Why can MTV have a programme called Black People Rock.... what would happen if there was a programme called White People Rock!?

At the cricket, Pakistani supporter's adorn their banners with 'Paki Power'.... didn't think that word could be used?

Why are black rappers allowed to CONSTANTLY use the 'N' word in lyrics while glorifying guns, violence etc?

I'd just like to be educated on this as I don't see how some parties can use this and some can't when we're supposed to be ALL pulling in the same direction...

BB -

"In the heat of the moment words are said. Am I rascist/homophobic for calling a guy freckle face, ginger, granddad, baldy, gay boy and other words I uttered?"

I'm sure that's a mild and selective list BB, most of which are clearly not an issue - I've been there!

But yes BB, what's highlighted in bold above - this would be Homophobic if you hadn't understood what you said was wrong and you tried to defend it. (That's an observation - not me attacking you BTW).

We all do stupid things, but the difference is whether we try to explain it away or whether we hold our hands up and admit that was out of order and we wouldn't do it again. It's called learning and development.

Many moons ago - like you - I'm sure I've used some appalling slurs on a rugby field in the name of confrontation, far worse than you can print here.

I accept I was wrong in hindsight, I've learned and and would never try to make out it was OK today.

Racism/Homophobia are not about just about what you thought you meant, but also about what the recipient really fells and how bystanders may also feel.

We live in a world today where this is finally being made clear and I welcome that for everybody's sake. I wouldn't get away with using terms like you refer to or Casilla used in my work environment, so why should he?

Would very much prefer for Kiko not coming back to ER, purely for playing matters.

Like Enoch I would like to see Klaesson go out on loan and get in a more experienced goalkeeper.

I'll admit that whenever I saw Klaesson with the U-23's I was unimpressed with him. In fact he scared the shxt out of me.

But he certainly earned his transferfee & wages with those 2 saves at Wolves.

Afterwards one could see the improvement in his performances with the U-23's too. But I would still be very worried if Meslier gets injured.

Sorry, I cannot agree. I have been called worse on a rugby field but then shared a hug and a pint or two with the perpetrator.

In the heat of the moment words are said. Am I rascist/homophobic for calling a guy freckle face, ginger, granddad, baldy, gay boy and other words I uttered? Hey I loved playing against Kings Cross Steelers - first gay rugby club. We had great games and enjoyed clubbing afterwards in their venues.

What goes on the pitch should be left on the pitch. I have family and friends that are gay. They still get a BB kiss, hug and cuddle. I will not tolerate abuse of the LBGT community but perhaps in my youth during a game I said stuff I would never say or really believe in my life outside.

This has been blown out of all proportion.

It is only because we are LUFC. Terry escaped such criticism despite TV quite clearly showing him use the N word. Back in the day I watch Hansen clearly use the N word on highlights on Match of the Day and nothing was said.

I cannot agree Kiko is a useless f***er

It is unfortunate when you think one thoughtless comment can change a footballers whole career. Im not condoning racism one bit and detest these whites supremacist groups but hand on heart how many of us actual think before we speak when it comes to an on the spur moment / comment?

For instance the swear word f*cker derives from the German plane the "fokker" and it was said by many over in England when being attacked

"lookout the fokkers are coming"

That term f*cker, which we all use, is in its self racist so why isnt this being called out? As i say i dont condone derogatory comments on any individual or group of people, when i was growing up we were told that using swear words was a sign of someone's lack of vocabulary and when i think of it this way i understand what my grandfather was trying to teach me all those years ago.

Getting back to Kiko i do think he has value in the dressing room and can pass on some experience to the younger members of the squad, but Meslier has surpassed Kiko imho and deserves to be our number one. But if we wait for another year and try to offload Kiko he will be effectively worthless. We paid around 3million for him from Real Madrid i think and we wouldnt get 1m for him now id say. The guy 35 years of age (ok should have another few years in him) but i really wonder what the real damage / cost that his suspension cost both financially and professionally

We have Kiko coming back. He has over 350 first team appearances. One year left on his contract and is more than an experienced back up keeper.

No point in paying him off then signing another keeper on the same or more wages.

From what I have heard, he is liked and respected in the dressing room and will to help the other goalies.

I think we should sign an experienced back up gk,someone like Scott Carson or someone similar with decent experience nearing the end of their career.I think it would be beneficial for the young gk's to have an old pro around.

Klassen should be loaned out this season to maybe a lower championship team or a league 1 team and Caprille should get another loan to a higher levelthan serie

too many of our young players aren't reaching their potential from lack of game time,I love Bielsa but I think his small squad philosophy may have slowed down some young players development,ie-Summerville is too good for the u23's and not quiet ready to be a regular in the PL,a 6 month loan to league 1 would have done him wonders in my opinion.

I'm not particularly worried about the keepers, any time I've watched Klaesson and in particular Christy, I've been very impressed. Ombang is,also meant to be another immense talent. However, it's a point well made that they are all in the same age bracket, and difficult to provide game time for all of them. I don't think the solution is to sign another experienced keeper but to use the loan system to maximum effect and improve those we already have.

Again there is no experience to talk to. Someone who has played 300 to 500 odd games. He does not need to be a coach but just a sound board type.

Actually based on what I heard from Caprile season in Italy we may need to find him a club in England for a loan as preformed extremely well. Klaesson also may need a loan. Either way both are going to push Meslier this preseason.

Its a good headache to have having such strength and depth, the trick like poker know when to cash in your chips and on the right hand

Good article Daniel.

I agree with Smurf, the coaching team have done well so far with Meslier and I like the potential.

The challenge (open question) is whether we have too many goalies at the same age with the same experience level - would we be better to have just one apprentice under Meslier and an experienced squad man? 4 goalkeepers between 22 and 19, 3 of whom have some men's first team experience....

a nicer problem to have than in other areas for sure.

That not the full picture. Alexandria Barcherini is Assistant GK coach and there are other goalkeeping coaches for the junior teams. There's no issue with Abad's age, he's been coaching since 2009 and looking after our keepers since 2017. He's got every coaching exam possible and is highly regarded, he's one of the reasons Meslier improved so quickly at a young age. I would actually say our goalkeeping coaching set up is one of our strengths, and we were fortunate to keep those coaches when many of the rest left with Biesla.