SHOULD SAINTS HAVE A KEEPER ON THE BENCH?

West Ham having their keeper Robert Green red-carded tonight made me think a little........is Nigel Adkins right to pursue his recent favoured option of not having a recognised goalie on the subs bench? What do you think?

Do we have competent goalkeeper cover amongst our outfield players??

I am if worth the risk. Fact is can only play 3 subs out of the 5 so you dont gain a lot by not having a goalie as you will always have 2 players who never get on the pitch, why not have 1 of those ur goalie. With 4 outfield subs you can have 1 defender, 1 midfield, 1 striker then 1 extra midfield or striker. With players like Guly they can play in midfield or as a striker so gives you flexibility.

More times you take the risk more likely will happen.

Think Richardson is first choice "reserve" goalie so a bit of a worry last Saturday when he wasnt fit

Back in the 60's before we had subs,I remember Cliff Huxford going in goal after John Hollowbread sustained an injury that eventually called time on his career. Likewise Campbell Forsyth with a broken leg.And Terry Paine told me he took over in goal at Portsmouth during one game.

Goalkeeping has certain rules ie dont get beat on your near post make them take the difficult shot and hit the far one etc, know the angles that put you in the place that makes you hardest to be beaten. Having said that you can do all the right things and it goes wrong, equally do all the wrong things and it goes right, if you do the right things you wont get blamed for what happens, do the wrong things and it goes wrong and more than likely you will be dropped.

The way the game is today with so many goalkeepers getting sent off each week for next to no contact with advancing opponents I would be inclined to always have a goalkeeper on the subs bench, we always did in Ted Bates time when he was allowed for european games. Also I can remember having to play against Sheffield Wednesday after staying the night before in Sheffield. I picked up a bug of some sort and was up from the early hours continually vomitting, the doctor gave me a jab but it was too late to get a replacement for me so I had to try and play. At one point I was on my hands and knees in the penalty area throwing up, that went on for most of the game and to round it off I threw up in the bath when we came off, as I recall the highlights were on tv. We managed to draw 0-0 with Ted Bates and John Mortimore helping me off the field after the game.

I believe most sides have a goalkeeper as one of the subs, I hope he never needs one.

I think Nigel is going to risk it for rest of season. Seems he wants 2 defenders on the bench with Harding and Martin being there last cple of game, two midfield players and one striker. Guly at least gives the option of midfield or striker.

Think the red card angle is the biggest threat to the goalie nowadays and Kelvin has been known to wander a bit!