[BaggieMan]

Looking at the video replays of the goals we conceded against Blackburn emphasises my point on the lack of consistency of Sam Johnstone.

I think he could have done better with their first goal in spite of the defensive cock-up leading up to the shot and of course, he gifted them their second goal when he dropped the ball straight to the feet of a Blackburn player. I accept we clung on for a 3-2 win but two sloppy goals conceded is unacceptable.

Sam obviously has skill but is it a lack of concentration that causes him to drop clangers in what seems every other game and plays very well in the others.

[aries22]

This has probably already been mentioned, but haven’t we just signed Ali Al Habsi?

[wba13]

Looking at the video replays of the goals we conceded against Blackburn emphasises my point on the lack of consistency of Sam Johnstone.

I think he could have done better with their first goal in spite of the defensive cock-up leading up to the shot and of course, he gifted them their second goal when he dropped the ball straight to the feet of a Blackburn player. I accept we clung on for a 3-2 win but two sloppy goals conceded is unacceptable.

Sam obviously has skill but is it a lack of concentration that causes him to drop clangers in what seems every other game and very well in the others.

I agree with the inconsistency theory with Johnstone but I really can’t stand the constant slagging off of any player, as for the cheers when he caught a cross on Saturday was totally out of order. Some people have short memory’s the week before he saved us 2 points.remember he is still young in Keeper terms and after watching certain goalkeepers this season he is nowhere near as bad as some I could mention.

[Onetruebaggie]

It's a tough one, I think because we were spoilt with Foster, anybody is a poor imitation. I don't dislike him, he just doesn't fill me with confidence! A great shot stopper but no authority in the box, the 6 yard box is the keepers, he doesn't seem overly vocal or commanding. Don't know what the answer is, he is just about good enough for the EFL, if we were to get promoted, a new keeper for sure, that said, i'll never boo him and will support him during the match, but he frustrates the crap out of me!!

COYB

[BaggieMan]

Agree with all you say One True.
It is so frustrating with his inconsistency and also, I would never boo him but when he frequently drops clangers you can understand why fans get hot under the collar. It would be very annoying if those currently frequent clangers cost us promotion and I just hope upon hope he does find the the needed consistency to help achieve, and not deny, us that promotion.

[Worldclassalbion]

I honestly think he needs taking out of the firing line because at the moment he certainly isn’t consistent, he doesn’t command his box and doesn’t move off his line for crosses, in simple terms he’s not good enough. As mentioned earlier in the thread when he came out and caught the ball against Blackburn there were ironic cheers from a huge number of the fans.

That tells you all you need to know. Give him a rest and let him get his confidence back in training and get him working on the basics again because so far I for one haven’t seen this ‘brilliant keeper’ the Vile fans were going on about.

He cost us huge last season and he’s making basic errors this despite his penalty save. Give Bond or El Habsi a crack at it, after all that’s why they’re here.

[Blue Baggie]

I honestly think he needs taking out of the firing line because at the moment he certainly isn’t consistent, he doesn’t command his box and doesn’t move off his line for crosses, in simple terms he’s not good enough. As mentioned earlier in the thread when he came out and caught the ball against Blackburn there were ironic cheers from a huge number of the fans.

That tells you all you need to know. Give him a rest and let him get his confidence back in training and get him working on the basics again because so far I for one haven’t seen this ‘brilliant keeper’ the Vile fans were going on about.

He cost us huge last season and he’s making basic errors this despite his penalty save. Give Bond or El Habsi a crack at it, after all that’s why they’re here.

The issue in dropping Sam would be, he is a proud guy. He cares !!  Drop him and I think his confidence would go into free fall.
We would be better selling him IMO - I can't see him being dropped and come back better.
I don't see as Bond is any better then Sam and El Habsi is just a back up and if he came in it would be a temp. measure.
I would stick with Sam, if he drops a couple of clangers and then pulls of a world class save that's evens IMO.
Foster did it for years and nobody called for him to be dropped.
As long as he is picked we should give him 100% support.

[wba13]

What points has Sam Johnstone cost us this season..v Forest none v mil wall none v Luton none. V reading none v Derby saved us 2 v Blackburn none..for all you who claimed he was at fault for Millwall goal are in cloud cookoo land . Yes he has made mistakes against forest but we won against Blackburn but we won ,so can you critics please get off his back we have not lost yet this season with Johnstone in the team can Bond say that.

[BaggieMan]

Wba13, he may not have cost us points as yet but, given if his inconsistency doesn’t improve, he most certainly will cost us at some games.

As fans, i believe it is quite in order to have an opinion and criticise any player if they all too often put in under par performances and that has happened with many many players over the years.

Hopefully he will stop dropping these all to frequent clangers and become one of the first names on the team sheet. If not, move him on and get a more reliable keeper.

[wba13]

The only real problem with Johnstone is the fans on his back because of where he came from .( vile ) He showed at vile what a bloody good keeper he is and with our lot getting behind him just as the Albion away fans do you will see him back to his best.