Such a safe signing, such a horrendous first season. The two cup appearances at Oxford United and Newcastle? Think he's had more injuries than games.

He's not even 30 until next month so he could easily be our first choice for the foreseeable years. Hopefully we can see more of him next year.

Edited by ambrose7 (20 Feb 2023 11.33am)

26th January 2010 - Enter Administration
2nd May 2010 - D-Day 1 - Survival at Hillsborough
1st June 2010 - D-Day 2 - Survival at Lloyds
7th June 2010 - CPFC2010 exchange contracts.

I'd struggle to understand our strategy there. We'll have signed three goalkeepers the exact same age (Soria, Butland and Johnstone were all born within 3 weeks of each other) in the space of two years, with Guaita consistently picked throughout.

It was bizarre when we made Butland our number 3 given his salary and pedigree. Will we then do the same with Sam Johnstone, who was in the England squad 2 years ago and reportedly the other keeper Arsenal looked at when they signed Ramsdale?

If we see Soria as the number 1 then fine, but why renew Guaita's contract, or sign Johnstone?

26th January 2010 - Enter Administration
2nd May 2010 - D-Day 1 - Survival at Hillsborough
1st June 2010 - D-Day 2 - Survival at Lloyds
7th June 2010 - CPFC2010 exchange contracts.

Back in day when I played kickabouts in the park we used to play the biggest kid amongst us in goal.
With this in mind, if Guita gets injured perhaps we can finally find a use for Mateta in the absence of an alternative!

Your thought, Willo?

I think we will try for a loan of an experienced 'keeper as back up to VG.

I like Joe Whitworth but it would be a real baptism of fire given that we are unlikely to be playing any meaningless games between now and the end of the season

Old, Ungifted and White

Seems like another example of poor management, along with not having a full squad of 25 senior players and no real cover at left back. Remember the season when the transfer window closed and Benteke was the only proper forward and he then promptly got injured?

Other Premier League clubs accept they need 3 senior goalkeepers. Indeed, Newcastle are needing to play their third choice in this weekend’s cup final. So why let Butland go out on loan? He is not even making the sub’s bench at Man U so difficult to see any benefit to him either. At least he would provide experienced cover should Guaita unfortunately get injured. Whitworth may well be the future, but as yet he has not played even one minute for the first team and yet could potentially be thrown in at the deep end having to play in end-of-season must-win games. Just don’t see the logic of creating potentially difficult situations such as this when they can be avoided