Gavin Bazunu

[Saint86]

I pretty much roll my eyes at the people making out he's been poor this year and at fault for loads of goals. There have been a couple where you'd like him to maybe get nearer, but he's nowhere near as bad as some are making out. The defence has made loads of errors and we're set up to be extremely vulnerable and give away a lot of chances. He's a solid keeper, has good distribution and sweeper play, and his mentality must be strong (because despite finishing bottom last year and having fans on his back constantly, he doesn't show any real signs of low confidence imo.

Playing for a year in the championship in a winning side (and with a defence and midfield that will get used to playing together) will do him a lot of good - and hopefully he'll develop his command of the back line / cb's once we get some stability.

I think people forget he's a young keeper that went up 2 divisions and played behind a total shit show of a side last season. He's not as bad as many make out, and he certainly has a lot of potential.

Edited 15 September, 2023 by Saint86

[Whitey Grandad]

17 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Pep would never have won the title with Shilton in goal! 🙂

Pep would have been too young. 

[stknowle]

18 hours ago, HKsaint said:

But I am pretty sure that City would not have won the title if Bazunu were the goalie 

Possibly HK my old pal, but it's all hypothetical anyway.

Edited 14 September, 2023 by stknowle

[Holmes_and_Watson]

5 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Pep would have been too young. 

I had "Shilton had long retired" ready as my follow up. 😀

[stknowle]

2 minutes ago, stknowle said:

 

 

Edited 14 September, 2023 by stknowle
fuck up

[Holmes_and_Watson]

18 hours ago, HKsaint said:

But I am pretty sure that City would not have won the title if Bazunu were the goalie 

I might be misremembering here, but didn't Pep replace Hart with Bravo, due in part to the latter's distribution from the back? I think there was an early error, where Pep backed him to the hilt. But I think there were more, and he was dropped and eventually moved on.

That was probably Pep's first season, as I think Hart getting the boot was an early call. And I don't think they did win the title.

If that's right, then I think the answer is that Pep wouldn't have won with Bazunu in goal, having dropped him some time before. But he wouldn't have won it with Bazunu's replacement either in the same season. 🙂

 

[Saint86]

I look forward to the usual suspects finding ways to blame Baz for once again being on the receiving end of Russball.

[suewhistle]

My last post today.. Perhaps not to blame for the goals, but why he has confidence in that defence and still passes short to them putting them under pressure I do not know...

[SambaMaverick]

4 minutes ago, suewhistle said:

My last post today.. Perhaps not to blame for the goals, but why he has confidence in that defence and still passes short to them putting them under pressure I do not know...

He's told to do it by the nutter in charge.

Bazunu one of a couple who can hold their head high today.

[Daft Kerplunk]

Anyone blaming Bazunu tonight wasn’t watching the absolute weak melts playing in front of them today. Piss poor by many, senior pros hiding. Not many positives at all. But Bazunu not to blame at all.

[VectisSaint]

1 minute ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

Anyone blaming Bazunu tonight wasn’t watching the absolute weak melts playing in front of them today. Piss poor by many, senior pros hiding. Not many positives at all. But Bazunu not to blame at all.

Agreed, he actually did quite well tonight, apart from one suicide pass to Smallbone (or Downes, not sure) which he got away with. Would have been more than 4 without him. 

[hypochondriac]

I'll be honest I thought he wasnt bad tonight. With everything else going to shit around him I thought he comes out with some credit. 

[Crab Lungs]

Poor bastard, felt for him tonight. Don’t rate him but there’s nothing he could do with that shower that’s been in front of him all season.

[The Kraken]

12 minutes ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

Anyone blaming Bazunu tonight wasn’t watching the absolute weak melts playing in front of them today. Piss poor by many, senior pros hiding. Not many positives at all. But Bazunu not to blame at all.

Apart from saint Clark,who is blaming Bazunu?

[FarehamSaintJames]

Bazunu was good tonight.

Excellent distribution long range, some vital saves to keep us in it. He was massively let down by the defence and midfield in front of him.

Even he started pelting it long when he could see the CB’s were being too slow.

Third goal he should’ve done a bit better but then again the entire back none of the team fell apart there.

Could’ve been Khan or Schmeichel or van der Sar in goal tonight and it wouldn’t have made a blind but of difference.

Only saving grace is that it wasn’t McCarthy, in which case we would’ve conceded many more.

[S-Clarke]

Bazunu kept that to 4, would have been 6 or 7 otherwise. 

Got to feel sorry for him really, that 4th goal said it all - what hope does he have when a player is running clean through on goal, from the centre circle, and he has no one in front of him? It's truly horrendous for the lad, we're totally and utterly destroying him in front of our eyes. 

I don't think he'll ever recover from his Saints experience.

[sydney_saint]

2 hours ago, Saint86 said:

I look forward to the usual suspects finding ways to blame Baz for once again being on the receiving end of Russball.

lol not a single person, not one, has blamed him tonight.

[FarehamSaintJames]

The usual haters won’t pop up knowing he’s actually had a good game.

That said I’m sure they’re very excited to mention another day how he technically conceded four tonight. 🤣

[Harry_SFC]

His long range passing is incredible to be fair

[saintant]

Have been critical of Baz but thought he did well tonight despite how shocking we were.

[Saint86]

36 minutes ago, sydney_saint said:

lol not a single person, not one, has blamed him tonight.

Exactly as Fareham says... 

29 minutes ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

The usual haters won’t pop up knowing he’s actually had a good game.

That said I’m sure they’re very excited to mention another day how he technically conceded four tonight. 🤣

Baz had as good a game as possible considering the shit show going on in front of him, his distribution was pretty damn good as well (not that Martin wants us playing that way).

[davefizzy14]

I thought Bazanu had a good game too.

[Hodgey]

Probably our best player today - kept the score down. Could criticise him for the 3rd as he seemed to offer up a lot of the goal - but when you have 3 players running unopposed at you can see why your positioning may faulter. Was especially pleased to see him get good hands behind a well hit shot pushed out of danger for a corner. I’m hoping that ironically despite conceding 4 tonight will build his confidence. 
I’m unconvinced he’s a top 6 keeper in this league but so far he’s far from the problem.

[Weston Super Saint]

He had a good game last night.  Even saw him shout at a defender once and looked pissed off at their shit defending.

[FarehamSaintJames]

49 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

He had a good game last night.  Even saw him shout at a defender once and looked pissed off at their shit defending.

I saw that as well. I think with him confidence is a big thing but once he gets angry enough that’s when the best will come out of him.

I hope he absolutely lets rip at his defence going forward, the best goalkeepers are commanding and direct.

If he can add that ruthlessness then he’ll be an asset more than a liability in the long term.

[Sheaf Saint]

9 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

The usual haters won’t pop up knowing he’s actually had a good game.

I guess my previous negative comments could put me in that category, but I agree he did have a good game last night. Made a couple of decent saves and his long distance kicking (and throwing) was excellent. Very encouraging.

[hypochondriac]

9 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

The usual haters won’t pop up knowing he’s actually had a good game.

That said I’m sure they’re very excited to mention another day how he technically conceded four tonight. 🤣

I think the comments in here highlight that he can still have an alright game and ship goals. That means in other games when people have been rightly critical, he can also ship goals and perform poorly. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

Saves wise, Baz had a decent game, made the saves he should have done and wouldn’t be expected to save any of the goals. In other words, did the job I’d expect a keeper at our level to do. Needs to keep it up for me to change my mind, one game isn’t going to do it, and I’d have expected every top half keeper in the division to have let 4 in last night. It’s a measure of how bad he’s been that when he actually performs at the required level it’s hailed. Well done Baz, you did your job. 
 

Distribution wise he was excellent, certainly his best performance for us and one of the best I’ve seen from a Saints keeper (although to be fair to ex keepers, not many others were ever really asked to play that way). The problem was who he’s distributing it to). Some nice pings and good throw outs, he was probably our best passer on the day. 

[LuckyNumber7]

Still think he's crap but credit where it's due, he was our best player last night. Mostly excellent distribution and he actually made one or two half decent saves, could do nothing about the goals. Keep that up and my opinion of him might change, the one positive from that shit show.

[Wurzel]

11 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

His long range passing is incredible to be fair

Indeed last night his distribution was excellent , both kicking and with quick long throws. Probably as good as any keeper I've seen .   Which begs the question, if his distribution is that accurate why the hell are they farting around passing the ball around and across our own area? Push everyone up and let him deal with it.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

I hope he absolutely lets rip at his defence going forward...

He'll have to find it first. 🙂

1 hour ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Distribution wise he was excellent, certainly his best performance for us and one of the best I’ve seen from a Saints keeper (although to be fair to ex keepers, not many others were ever really asked to play that way). The problem was who he’s distributing it to). Some nice pings and good throw outs, he was probably our best passer on the day. 

He was noticeably better at passing it out under pressure and having varied, accurate distribution than his opposite number. Did his job fine for one on ones to keep the score lower too.  He kept his composure despite being repeatedly exposed by the shambles in front of him.

 

[The Cat]

21 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

He'll have to find it first. 🙂

He was noticeably better at passing it out under pressure and having varied, accurate distribution than his opposite number. Did his job fine for one on ones to keep the score lower too.  He kept his composure despite being repeatedly exposed by the shambles in front of him.

 

Their keeper was McCarthy level of bad with his feet. I didn't mind us putting pressure on him, it was just that we went too kamikaze at times which allowed them to pass through into a load of space.

The game could have been a lot closer if we'd taken a couple of our chances after winning the ball high up. Sadly they were squandered because we are not clinical enough up front.

[sydney_saint]

12 hours ago, Saint86 said:

Exactly as Fareham says... 

Baz had as good a game as possible considering the shit show going on in front of him, his distribution was pretty damn good as well (not that Martin wants us playing that way).

again wrong. Plenty of people both here and on the match thread have given him credit. 

[Polegategavin243]

On 16/09/2023 at 00:01, FarehamSaintJames said:

The usual haters won’t pop up knowing he’s actually had a good game.

That said I’m sure they’re very excited to mention another day how he technically conceded four tonight. 🤣

No, but remember, in the future when they spout his poor shot stopping statistics, the fact Leicester scored from the majority of attempts must mean he is shit. This match polarises why blaming the keeper has been totally wrong. The players in front of him have consistently let him down and exposed him to mostly unstoppable shots. Even then he sometimes manages to pull off a save. But he has become the scapegoat for our slide down to the championship. Complete unfounded and actually unfair. There are many other issues need resolving in the team such as learning how to defend as a unit, all taking personal responsibility for not allowing the opposite to shoot or block it, and certainly stop a f*#king cross one in a while, Jesus.

Edited 17 September, 2023 by Polegategavin243

[Holmes_and_Watson]

2 hours ago, Polegategavin243 said:

... and certainly stop a f*#king cross one in a while, Jesus.

I think that's very harsh on Jesus, considering how it turned out.

[Oldandtired]

I think I’ve noticed that he seems to be a lot weaker on his left side than his right. Maybe it’s just that where we sit is on his left when at our end, but I am convinced that he lets in more this side than the other.

Disclaimer….I am not on medication and only drink tea at St. Mary’s…….

[SaintsBarry74]

7 hours ago, Oldandtired said:

I think I’ve noticed that he seems to be a lot weaker on his left side than his right. Maybe it’s just that where we sit is on his left when at our end, but I am convinced that he lets in more this side than the other.

Disclaimer….I am not on medication and only drink tea at St. Mary’s…….

He's not good at anything aside from the odd long pass.

[Harry_SFC]

7 hours ago, Oldandtired said:

I think I’ve noticed that he seems to be a lot weaker on his left side than his right. Maybe it’s just that where we sit is on his left when at our end, but I am convinced that he lets in more this side than the other.

Disclaimer….I am not on medication and only drink tea at St. Mary’s…….

Without looking into it properly I think you're right.

[Lord Duckhunter]

I’d want my keeper saving Middlesbrough’s fist. Yet again he got his hand to it and couldn’t get it round the post. 

[Pamplemousse]

It's poor goalkeeping, he's that side to start off with, he has it covered

[Holmes_and_Watson]

I can understand a 'keeper not saving all of these. Baz saves none of them. As soon as it was going towards that part of the goal, I thought it was in.

Baz's distribution was a plus a game or two back. We seem to be doing a lot less of that since.

[Lord Duckhunter]

4 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I can understand a 'keeper not saving all of these. Baz saves none of them. 

Nail on head.

[Harry_SFC]

4 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

I can understand a 'keeper not saving all of these. Baz saves none of them. As soon as it was going towards that part of the goal, I thought it was in.

Baz's distribution was a plus a game or two back. We seem to be doing a lot less of that since.

He has a big issue with diving to that side of the goal. Surely the coaches should be working on that with him? Or is that something that he'll never be able to improve? 

[Billy the Kidd]

The medical report cited a huge build up of scar tissue on the entire left hand side of Bazunu’s body. It is no wonder he can’t get down to those low shots on that side. The scars were far, far deeper on his wrists.

Give the lad a break. I understand this is all in hand and Russell Martin is personally applying Bio Oil every two hours to the affected areas, and has even commissioned new bowls for Bazunu to stick his hands in filled with Bio Oil in between physio sessions.

[Badger]

14 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’d want my keeper saving Middlesbrough’s fist. Yet again he got his hand to it and couldn’t get it round the post. 

All too familiar.

But best GK in the division according to RM ( or ‘Lego head’ as I believe you’ve christened him*).
 

*brilliant by the way 

[Lord Duckhunter]

18 minutes ago, Badger said:

All too familiar.

But best GK in the division according to RM ( or ‘Lego head’ as I believe you’ve christened him*).
 

*brilliant by the way 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t me. Somebody else posted it first. 

[BARCELONASAINT]

fans scapegoat 2022/23, 2023/24 never mind the piss awful defenders in front of him that are responsible for giving away these chances to the opposition. Baz is not this seasons problem at all, it's our awful defence.

[The Kraken]

6 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

fans scapegoat 2022/23, 2023/24 never mind the piss awful defenders in front of him that are responsible for giving away these chances to the opposition. Baz is not this seasons problem at all, it's our awful defence.

Fair play, you’re almost as good at providing straw man arguments as that Crap Wolf guy. Not quite, granted, but you’re getting there.

When there are negative comments made about Bazun or quite frankly any other player, it doesn’t mean people think they are literally the only player at fault. It’s typically one of a number of players that contribute to our goals against. Nobody is saying it’s all Bazunu’s fault or that our defence/midfield/attack is otherwise ok.

I feel I’ve wasted my time even pointing that out Ffs.

[Barsiem]

1 minute ago, The Kraken said:

Nobody is saying it’s all Bazunu’s fault or that our defence/midfield/attack is otherwise ok.

Tbf, more than one poster has claimed he was the difference between staying up and getting relegated last season, so it's not surprising people still think he's being viewed in those kind of terms (I've not read the thread recently so can't comment on recent posts)

[CB Fry]

11 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

fans scapegoat 2022/23, 2023/24 never mind the piss awful defenders in front of him that are responsible for giving away these chances to the opposition. Baz is not this seasons problem at all, it's our awful defence.

Aren't there loads of posts on here about the "piss awful" defenders - the fans don't like Holgate, Manning and have disliked Bednarek for eons.

What shitty point are you trying to make?