Gavin Bazunu

[Whitey Grandad]

2 hours ago, The Kraken said:

Agree with, well, some of that. In terms of modding, I guess someone has to appear to do the housework. But lighthouse has become much more of a bitter and argumentative prick than ever. 
 

In terms of the other. Er, ok.

There's no need for that type of language. 

[Saint_clark]

Second one was unstoppable today but the first and third he should have done better for. 

[Sunnyside Saint]

For the first goal, and we've seen it before, he's not giving himself the best chance to get anything on the ball, despite having a decent dive at it. It must be his starting position is off, his footwork, assessment of angles and/or his timing.

Yes exceptional saves are required when you are starting from the wrong position, recovery or reactional saves if you like. But these become more routine saves if you're in a better position before the shot comes in.

That's a keeper making his job look easy, not flailing around because he's out of sync with the action.

 

[Jack]

Yeah, he’s fucking terrible, always was, always will be. Huge error not employing a proper keeper after Ramsdale left. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

10 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

He's on course to win the worst GK in the league stat again, and he hasn't even been first choice all season. He's consistent, you've got to give him that.

 

Never a great fan of analysing the stats but when it's combined with what you see week in week out, you do feel he's costing us.

Spors first signing of a third goalkeeper said to me that SR expected promotion this season and Ramsdale would be back from loan duties so there was no point in signing anyone else in goal. So we were going to be stuck with two substandard goalies. Maybe that even determines the managers wanting to play 5 at the back to give more cover for them but you have to say, Baz doesn't seem to be getting any better.

[Galway saint]

I am not convinced he could have done much for any of the goals today. 

The third was a poor goal to concede all round and he got himself in an awkward position.

I thought he was lucky to get away with the disallowed goal and he has a habit of rushing from his line and not collecting the ball. His lack of physicality and poor positioning don’t help. 

If I was the opposition coach and Baz was in goal I would be bombarding the box as he simply doesn’t have the physical attributes or ability to command his box and I don’t think we can underestimate how that can put the team on the back foot in a physical game like today.

Would be interesting to know what the defenders like Stephens and THB think to playing with him.
 

[BarberSaint]

That third goal was park standard. The Millwall player is just trying to scoop it over back into the danger area/keep it in play/do something with it. It's not hard, accurate or anything and should have been a case of just picking it up or someone hoofing it clear (that non-defending left back we have springs to mind).

The worldy should have been cut out in midfield but again you see the not-a-goalkeeper just standing there, set, waiting to launch off (as he always does) and he doesn't do it well.

I think a goalie could save the first; might push it back into the danger area and they net the rebound but I don't think it's one that is a certain goal from that perspective.

[Whitey Grandad]

7 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

That third goal was park standard. The Millwall player is just trying to scoop it over back into the danger area/keep it in play/do something with it. It's not hard, accurate or anything and should have been a case of just picking it up or someone hoofing it clear (that non-defending left back we have springs to mind).

The worldy should have been cut out in midfield but again you see the not-a-goalkeeper just standing there, set, waiting to launch off (as he always does) and he doesn't do it well.

I think a goalie could save the first; might push it back into the danger area and they net the rebound but I don't think it's one that is a certain goal from that perspective.

You're going out of your way to find criticism here. The third goal was through Manning's legs and looked to have been deflected off the inside of his left boot. That wax neot an "attempt to scoop it over"

To find fault with any goalkeeper for that second is beyond churlish.

A goalkeeper might save the first but that's not very likely. Why don't you find fault with the big gaping hole in our defence that allows their player to run into our box unchallenged and drill the ball into the far corner?

[Lord Duckhunter]

The first one probably goes in 6 out of 10 times, regardless who is in goal. The question is, when does Baz ever make one of the 4 which are saved. Any half decent shot & it’s a goal. The third is bad organisation, not imposing himself on the situation & poor reactions. A proper keeper is in control of that area & we come away with a point. 
 

No matter what his defenders say, we will not get promoted with him in goal. 

[Saint86]

11 hours ago, Dusic said:

To save the first would be a worldy as it was hard and right in the corner. No chance with the 2nd and for the winner the biggest error by a mile is Romeu who shouldn't be letting the guy past.

 

Agreed Dusic.

It's defending errors for all of the goals yesterday. It's repeatedly defensive errors - and the fans need to stop blaming the keepers for our absolutely atrocious defending.

The first 2 yesterday were once again due to the defence going to sleep and leaving attackers unmarked and under no pressure - it was obvious both were going to "hit it" even as they received the passes. I was watching it waiting for the net to ripple both times - they were in acres of space and the defenders were in a mess, losing their men, not knowing who should close them down, and essentially losing all concentration shape, and urgency.

Then for the 3rd one, the cross is allowed in, gets all the way to the back post with our defence seemingly like statues, it's shot back across goal through the defenders legs and about 1 foot in front of baz as he himself is coming back across goal to cover the post - so he has zero time to react, and even then THB decides to kick it into his own net despite being behind it on the line already, behind baz, and with more time to react than baz.

No, baz isn't a brilliant keeper, but I don't blame him for yesterday, and I actually thought he had a decent enough game. He made two fantastic saves (one reaction one from Ivanovich at the back post), as well as being quick to react and rushing out twice when the attackers were put through on goal (once by our defence and an awful back pass), he was sweeping up to nearly the halfway line a couple of times - which he does very well, and made a couple of notable good punches in the box to get the ball clear...

There is also a limit to what you can expect the keeper to do when the defence just plays like melted butter all game.... End of the day we played 5 at the back and allowed Millwall 21 shots. But seemingly, against those 21 shots, only a clean sheet could have spared bazunu criticism on here 😂🤣🤦‍♂️

And the other criticism I've seen leveled at him post Millwall is the "he makes the defence nervous" and that's why we concede goals/shots. For real? Were our defence so nervous and scared that they lied down for a nap rather than press the attacker for 1st and 2nd goals? Did bazunu make wood hit an undercut back pass from 30yards out to put the defender through on goal, did he make THB mishit umpteen basic passes through the middle of the pitch?

Alternative narrative - we concede goals because our defending is atrocious... Sod the goals, we conceded 21 "shots against" vs yesterday. Millwall had scored 19goals in 17 games going into that match, they aren't some tremendous attacking force... When they beat west brom 3-0 or scored 2 Vs Oxford they managed 11 shots in each... But we rock up playing 5 at the back, and concede 21 shots.... Our defence just goes to sleep, they decide not to do the basics of markiny/pressing, holding a disciplined shape, or to do ridiculous passes and half hit back passes (that either lose possession or put their attackers through on goal), and they seemingly lose the ability to win defensive headers... You cannot blame the keeper because we give teams 21 shots.

Edited 12 hours ago by Saint86

[die Mannyschaft]

21 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Agreed Dusic.

It's defending errors for all of the goals yesterday. It's repeatedly defensive errors - and the fans need to stop blaming the keepers for our absolutely atrocious defending.

The first 2 yesterday were once again due to the defence going to sleep and leaving attackers unmarked and under no pressure - it was obvious both were going to "hit it" even as they received the passes. I was watching it waiting for the net to ripple both times - they were in acres of space and the defenders were in a mess, losing their men, not knowing who should close them down, and essentially losing all concentration shape, and urgency.

Then for the 3rd one, the cross is allowed in, gets all the way to the back post with our defence seemingly like statues, it's shot back across goal through the defenders legs and about 1 foot in front of baz as he himself is coming back across goal to cover the post - so he has zero time to react, and even then THB decides to kick it into his own net despite being behind it on the line already, behind baz, and with more time to react than baz.

No, baz isn't a brilliant keeper, but I don't blame him for yesterday, and I actually thought he had a decent enough game. He made two fantastic saves (one reaction one from Ivanovich at the back post), as well as being quick to react and rushing out twice when the attackers were put through on goal (once by our defence and an awful back pass), he was sweeping up to nearly the halfway line a couple of times - which he does very well, and made a couple of notable good punches in the box to get the ball clear...

There is also a limit to what you can expect the keeper to do when the defence just plays like melted butter all game.... End of the day we played 5 at the back and allowed Millwall 21 shots. But seemingly, against those 21 shots, only a clean sheet could have spared bazunu criticism on here 😂🤣🤦‍♂️

And the other criticism I've seen leveled at him post Millwall is the "he makes the defence nervous" and that's why we concede goals/shots. For real? Were our defence so nervous and scared that they lied down for a nap rather than press the attacker for 1st and 2nd goals? Did bazunu make wood hit an undercut back pass from 30yards out to put the defender through on goal, did he make THB mishit umpteen basic passes through the middle of the pitch?

Alternative narrative - we concede goals because our defending is atrocious... Sod the goals, we conceded 21 "shots against" vs yesterday. Millwall had scored 19goals in 17 games going into that match, they aren't some tremendous attacking force... When they beat west brom 3-0 or scored 2 Vs Oxford they managed 11 shots in each... But we rock up playing 5 at the back, and concede 21 shots.... Our defence just goes to sleep, they decide not to do the basics of markiny/pressing, holding a disciplined shape, or to do ridiculous passes and half hit back passes (that either lose possession or put their attackers through on goal), and they seemingly lose the ability to win defensive headers... You cannot blame the keeper because we give teams 21 shots.

Also why on earth are we constantly passing back across our own box to Bazunu? Eventually after the 10th time a mistake will happen. Poor coaching, basic defending starts with kicking ball away from our goal not too it

[saintant]

Why does he continually appear low down or bottom of the goalkeeping stats against his peers? It can't be because he is a competent keeper. Yes, he might have bits of misfortune but why are his overall stats always so poor?

[beatlesaint]

As a few people have already stated we are not going up or getting into those play-off positions with a combination of this keeper and Stephens in defence. Admiited they gave up but the only clean sheet in the past 5 games against Leicester had Cap'n Jack sat out the way on the bench. One of them in the team is risky enough, both of the silly buggers together and its an accident not only waiting to happen but one that invaribly will ! 

[trousers]

36 minutes ago, saintant said:

Why does he continually appear low down or bottom of the goalkeeping stats against his peers? It can't be because he is a competent keeper. Yes, he might have bits of misfortune but why are his overall stats always so poor?

You're forgetting that stats don't count to certain people when they don't back up their opinion...

[HKsaint]

The following reveals the impact of different goalkeepers in our team:

Bazunu   Millwall 3:2 Southampton 

If McCathy Millwall 2:2 Southampton (saved the 1st one)

If Ramsdale Millwall 1:2 Southampton (saved the 1st and 3rd)

 

so we need to score 4 goals to win a game if Bazunu continues to be our goalie 

Edited 9 hours ago by HKsaint

[tdmickey3]

He had a reasonable game yesterday but not brilliant but most understand that he will cost us more over time than he gains us.

We have all seen the evidence and no amount of deflection will change that, we need a competent goalkeeper in January 

[Sheaf Saint]

3 hours ago, Saint86 said:

Agreed Dusic.

It's defending errors for all of the goals yesterday. It's repeatedly defensive errors - and the fans need to stop blaming the keepers for our absolutely atrocious defending.

The first 2 yesterday were once again due to the defence going to sleep and leaving attackers unmarked and under no pressure - it was obvious both were going to "hit it" even as they received the passes. I was watching it waiting for the net to ripple both times - they were in acres of space and the defenders were in a mess, losing their men, not knowing who should close them down, and essentially losing all concentration shape, and urgency.

Then for the 3rd one, the cross is allowed in, gets all the way to the back post with our defence seemingly like statues, it's shot back across goal through the defenders legs and about 1 foot in front of baz as he himself is coming back across goal to cover the post - so he has zero time to react, and even then THB decides to kick it into his own net despite being behind it on the line already, behind baz, and with more time to react than baz.

No, baz isn't a brilliant keeper, but I don't blame him for yesterday, and I actually thought he had a decent enough game. He made two fantastic saves (one reaction one from Ivanovich at the back post), as well as being quick to react and rushing out twice when the attackers were put through on goal (once by our defence and an awful back pass), he was sweeping up to nearly the halfway line a couple of times - which he does very well, and made a couple of notable good punches in the box to get the ball clear...

There is also a limit to what you can expect the keeper to do when the defence just plays like melted butter all game.... End of the day we played 5 at the back and allowed Millwall 21 shots. But seemingly, against those 21 shots, only a clean sheet could have spared bazunu criticism on here 😂🤣🤦‍♂️

And the other criticism I've seen leveled at him post Millwall is the "he makes the defence nervous" and that's why we concede goals/shots. For real? Were our defence so nervous and scared that they lied down for a nap rather than press the attacker for 1st and 2nd goals? Did bazunu make wood hit an undercut back pass from 30yards out to put the defender through on goal, did he make THB mishit umpteen basic passes through the middle of the pitch?

Alternative narrative - we concede goals because our defending is atrocious... Sod the goals, we conceded 21 "shots against" vs yesterday. Millwall had scored 19goals in 17 games going into that match, they aren't some tremendous attacking force... When they beat west brom 3-0 or scored 2 Vs Oxford they managed 11 shots in each... But we rock up playing 5 at the back, and concede 21 shots.... Our defence just goes to sleep, they decide not to do the basics of markiny/pressing, holding a disciplined shape, or to do ridiculous passes and half hit back passes (that either lose possession or put their attackers through on goal), and they seemingly lose the ability to win defensive headers... You cannot blame the keeper because we give teams 21 shots.

OK these are all good points you make. But here's an example of how he indirectly "makes the defence nervous"...

Shortly before one of Millwall's goals yesterday (first or second, I forget which), there was a ball into the box that was very easily going through to Bazunu to catch. Or at least it should have been. But he just stood quietly and timidly on his line, and in the absence of getting a shout from Baz, THB attempted to head it clear instead. The clearance wasn't great, and the ball got recycled and shortly afterwards it was in the back of our net.

A confident, commanding keeper in that situation would have shouted at THB to leave it, and caught the ball. The Millwall players would have re-grouped further back up-field with the keeper in possession, and subsequently they don't score.

That's the negative, unnerving effect he has on the rest of the defence. He's too quiet and doesn't command his box at all, which constantly puts the rest of them under unnecessary pressure.

[maysie]

16 hours ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

Saw the score earlier and said to my mates I bet Bozo is at fault for at least 1 and possibly 2 goals. Just like clockwork I check the highlights to see he’s at fault for the first and the definitely the third.

I said earlier on this thread that the big problem this club has is the fans. It pains me to see that there are still individuals that back him almost in a cult like way. I can’t be bothered to collate some of the utter lunacy posted but let me just highlight two instances.
 

First, they can’t wait to post about his save early in the first half and then when he lets in the same shot but much closer to him it’s not his fault but an outfield player for not blocking. 

Second, someone says it’s hard to save long shots. Err, no rules of probability suggest the further the shot is the less chance it should have to go in. 
 

In every goal scored in football an outfield player is going to make some form of mistake at some point in the lead up to goal. We have people on here saying that because of that mistake Bozo is forgiven for letting every goal in no matter how tame because someone else made a mistake in the lead up. He’s employed to get in the way of shots!!!!! It doesn’t make a blind bit of difference if an outfield player has allowed an opposing player have a shot in the first place. All of you people on here defending him are killing this club. Let that sink in, you are killing this club defying logic and defending someone completely indefensible. The fact his thread has over 400k views and the likes of much longer serving players like Romeu only has a quarter of that says it all. He's toxic waste of space and cloud over this club. 

You're an oddball.

[HKsaint]

He makes every save difficult and every goal world class. 

[sockeye]

I don't think he did too much wrong yesterday, and made some decent saves.

[bugenhagen]

4 hours ago, HKsaint said:

so we need to score 4 goals to win a game if Bazunu continues to be our goalie 

I think that is a little unfair on Baz. 
3 goals per game should be enough to carry him in most games 😉

[SouSaint]

19 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

He's on course to win the worst GK in the league stat again, and he hasn't even been first choice all season. He's consistent, you've got to give him that.

 

And he has probably had the biggest transfer fee spent on him as well. I can't imagine any other keeper in this league cost their side a reported £10m-£12m. I wonder how many Supporters of other Champ clubs would swap their No 1's for Bazunu? Sheffield Wednesday and that's that imo. 

Nothing he could do with the 1st and the 2nd yesterday but that 3rd one is a really poor goal to concede, both from a defensive aspect and a goalkeeping one. The shot had no pace on it but his movement is crap. 

He hasn't improved since being here despite playing at a lesser level than the one we signed him for for the majority of his Saints career. 

[Saint_clark]

8 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

You're going out of your way to find criticism here. The third goal was through Manning's legs and looked to have been deflected off the inside of his left boot. That wax neot an "attempt to scoop it over"

To find fault with any goalkeeper for that second is beyond churlish.

A goalkeeper might save the first but that's not very likely. Why don't you find fault with the big gaping hole in our defence that allows their player to run into our box unchallenged and drill the ball into the far corner?

A keeper is there as the last line of defence when everything else has failed. Other areas of the team may have made mistakes as well but the point is, his entire job is to bail them out more often than he lets them down. He doesn't do that.