Not for me, crowded box and couldn’t get there, poorly defended but a very good delivery and the right man on the end of it. Not every set piece goal or goal in general is because of an error. I am concerned that Jack insists on trying to punch the ball, that one in the first half didn’t clear the penalty spot. He’s not the finished article and yes he is fallible and makes errors, but in our team, with our squad and budget, we will be unlikely to get better. And as for the assertion, from whoever it was, that Collins is better. Wow.
Just watched the replay, and haven't changed my opinion. They knew what they were doing; packed out the six yard box and delivered perfectly to Smith. Walton had no help from the defence. Only Andersen made an attempt to challenge for the ball and he'd got on the wrong side of Smith. His distribution wasn't great tonight, but it does look like he's being asked to lump it down the channels.
I thought he had a good game tonight and made some crucial saves that ensured we went on to win, he has definitely won us more points than he has lost us.
The game is about opinions. Walton will make a decent keeper but for me right now I think I’d trust Collins more.
I've been on the fence about Walton for a while. However, I'm now starting to climb off the fence onto the 'he's not quite good enough' side. He has made some good saves but then all goalies from time to time make good saves. At the moment his all round game, particularly decision-making, doesn't look good enough to me. He also makes general mistakes a bit too regularly I think. Early days of course and as I've said he has made good saves. He's still got time to improve at his age of course too. Also, if he's dropped who do we put in on a regular basis? On balance I don't think he's good enough (yet) but short of signing a new keeper I would want Collins to be given a real run of several games and Im on the fence about him too. Difficult for the manager in my opinion just like its difficult for me. Sorry for boring you all.
The mad onrush of millers into the 6yd box wasn’t contained by the defence. If we’re going to blame anyone, point in the right direction. Jack had no chance. unable to move and blocked off.
Not boring at all. I think I'd stay with Walton. Being a sweeper keeper is not easy, though other goalies in the premier league seem to make it so. I can forgive him that. He needs to command his 6 yard area, which he doesn't at all yet. Plus he should catch those that don't need punching cos it relieves the defence. Anyway, what's to moan about? Andersen was 23 today? He got crucified on here more than a year ago. We're doing fine. Even if we're not exactly playing eye catching soccer.
We’re 8th in the table, with a 22 year old keeper who has played 21 out of 22 games and there’s people suggesting that we drop him. Trust me, we wouldn’t be as high as 8th if we had Collins playing 21 games.
He did well again today with his shot-stopping but his kicking was very poor tonight. He is still the best in the club though and not done anything major to say otherwise.
What qualities do you think Davies has, that are better than Walton. Genuine question.? Experience being a given. Davies got far more protection from a defence that was more man marking and not zonal.
This is my kind of thread, seems a few more are noticing the errors.. Teams aren’t daft, he’s not commanding in the area - when do we ever see him attack and claim a ball? Never. He’s more likely to throw a punch at it... Distribution tonight, was he constantly aiming for touch? I know that has been a tactic.. If teams pack the box from the corners/set pieces they’re likely to score - hence the reason for so many goals against and he needs to more commanding of his box. That’s my say, just saying it how it is... what a win though folks and we move...
Collins played quite a lot of games last season and can’t recall many mistakes. He certainly dominates the area and comes for crosses. I just think Walton has been very nervy on crosses for a few weeks now and his kicking needs some work.
Davies wasn't great when we were relegated last time from the championship but both managers that season chopped and changed the back 4 every week center backs especially. He was a great shot stopper his penalty stop away to pompey and the save from coppinger at home to donny a vital part in us getting promoted to this league. By the way I'm not knocking walton he's a great young keeper at times he could command his 6 yard box better but he's 22 ffs still learning his game. Be a right keeper in years to come
Rotherham will score plenty of goals against plenty of other keepers like tonight’s so no fault at all with Jack tonight for me other than a few stray kicks into touch he was sound.
He played 22 times last season and we lost 12 of those, drew 6 and won 4. I’m not saying that was all down to him but his record is nowhere near Waltons.