Gavin Bazunu

[Turkish]

13 hours ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Feel like that has to be a mistranslation because that was the only goal I wouldn't blame him for

 

13 hours ago, The Kraken said:

Same. The defending was shocking for that goal, ok Bazunu wasn’t brilliant but he certainly wouldn’t have been the first one I’d have blamed for it.

Possibly due to the goal came from Baz lumping it straight though to their goalkeeper with 30 seconds left. They scored from that. 

[Miltonaggro]

I thought Lumley looked like a competent Championship keeper in his FA Cup games, and personally would start him against Blackburn.  Don't think that there is any additional risk in doing so, got a bit of character so would likely fight to keep his place down to the play offs.

[saintant]

34 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

I thought Lumley looked like a competent Championship keeper in his FA Cup games, and personally would start him against Blackburn.  Don't think that there is any additional risk in doing so, got a bit of character so would likely fight to keep his place down to the play offs.

Agree. He looked decent and was always very quick off his line as the sweeper keeper. Deserves a chance after more errors from Baz last night.

[Kenilworthy]

The Rotherham keeper has looked brilliant against us. But that might be the Jonathan Gould factor ie a keeper who only plays well against us. Bazunu is picked for ability to play it out from the back, but let's be frank, he isn't even that good at that. Time and again the dithering causes panic. There are a host of keepers who would be better shot stoppers at this level. The point about an experienced mentor is well made. When Burridge was signed he actually said that his mission was to make Flowers the number one keeper.

[Fan The Flames]

His long kick yesterday to their keeper gave it straight back to them allowing them to mount a final and crucial attack.

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

His long kick yesterday to their keeper gave it straight back to them allowing them to mount a final and crucial attack.

It's crazy isn't it, the one thing fans have been critical about is that he/we fart around in the back 4 and create nervousness...but the one moment he belts it up field and ''gets it away'' as so many call for, it actually costs us a goal. I wouldn't blame him for the long GK at the stage of the game, a lot should have happened to stop the ball getting back to us as easily as it did. We were so weak.

[Fan The Flames]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

It's crazy isn't it, the one thing fans have been critical about is that he/we fart around in the back 4 and create nervousness...but the one moment he belts it up field and ''gets it away'' as so many call for, it actually costs us a goal. I wouldn't blame him for the long GK at the stage of the game, a lot should have happened to stop the ball getting back to us as easily as it did. We were so weak.

Whilst each bit of action can be over analysed and reduced to a point where you can point the finger, I do think at that moment you need to find a team mate and retain possession.

[SaintsBarry74]

Bazunu - Championship 2023/2024 shot stopping (xG), ranked 46 out of 46.

Bazunu - Premier League 2022/2023 shot stopping (xG), ranked 39 out of 39.

 

Consistently poor at shot-stopping, this has nothing to do with how good or poor the defense in front of him is. Statistically, any goalkeeper in the league would save more goals in the same situations as Bazunu. To put this in perspective, Rotherham's Viktor Johanson has let in 81 goals this season, which we all can agree is horrendous. Yet, his xG is only -1.1, so statistically, he's only let in one goal more than what's expected. There's a clear pattern here...

[Whitey Grandad]

7 minutes ago, SaintsBarry74 said:

Bazunu - Championship 2023/2024 shot stopping (xG), ranked 46 out of 46.

Bazunu - Premier League 2022/2023 shot stopping (xG), ranked 39 out of 39.

 

Consistently poor at shot-stopping, this has nothing to do with how good or poor the defense in front of him is. Statistically, any goalkeeper in the league would save more goals in the same situations as Bazunu. To put this in perspective, Rotherham's Viktor Johanson has let in 81 goals this season, which we all can agree is horrendous. Yet, his xG is only -1.1, so statistically, he's only let in one goal more than what's expected. There's a clear pattern here...

You have just demonstrated that xG in this respect is rubbish.

[Whitey Grandad]

42 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

His long kick yesterday to their keeper gave it straight back to them allowing them to mount a final and crucial attack.

I thought he should have kicked that sooner. A draw was meaningless for us.

[Saint Matty 76]

10 minutes ago, SaintsBarry74 said:

Bazunu - Championship 2023/2024 shot stopping (xG), ranked 46 out of 46.

Bazunu - Premier League 2022/2023 shot stopping (xG), ranked 39 out of 39.

 

Consistently poor at shot-stopping, this has nothing to do with how good or poor the defense in front of him is. Statistically, any goalkeeper in the league would save more goals in the same situations as Bazunu. To put this in perspective, Rotherham's Viktor Johanson has let in 81 goals this season, which we all can agree is horrendous. Yet, his xG is only -1.1, so statistically, he's only let in one goal more than what's expected. There's a clear pattern here...

It's bafflingly bad, never seen anything quite like it

The biggest worry is that SR, a data-driven business, are obviously seeing these numbers but choosing to ignore them in order to try and maintain some value of the asset they've clearly failed with

I agree with Whitey's comment above btw, the most baffling thing about it was that he held the ball for 30 seconds before eventually lumping it long? Were we happy with the draw or not? Did us no favours regardless

[Badger]

6 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

It's bafflingly bad, never seen anything quite like it

The biggest worry is that SR, a data-driven business, are obviously seeing these numbers but choosing to ignore them in order to try and maintain some value of the asset they've clearly failed with

I agree with Whitey's comment above btw, the most baffling thing about it was that he held the ball for 30 seconds before eventually lumping it long? Were we happy with the draw or not? Did us no favours regardless

As soon as he launched it, I wondered wtf is he doing, we spend all game tippy tappy keeping possession at the back, and the stupid sods only had to do it for about 40 seconds to have earnt a draw. Not the result we needed perhaps but commendable after going down to 10 men.

When the ball landed with their GK, it was the Peter Crouch v Everton moment (just keep it in the corner flag) relived again... 

[Badger]

19 hours ago, hypochondriac said:

Bazunu is shit. He hasn't been good enough for the vast majority of the season. I would love it if we replaced him next year. 

amazing isn't it that no other club seem to have spotted his clear and obvious potential. Our scouting network really are on a different end of the spectrum to others.

[Badger]

19 hours ago, Hodgey said:

Our policy of signing City youth players has been a poor one. Edozie, Bazuna, Larios, Charles all at best average championship players. Yes we struck gold with Lavia - but he looks highly injury prone. 
When you think about it, buying expensive youngsters who have barely played professional football and asking them to succeed in high pressure environments straight away is silly. 

Would seem so to simple folk like you and I, who only pay to watch, but fortunately there are great opportunities for youngsters on Planet Semmens, and with Rasmus W involved. 

[Fan The Flames]

1 hour ago, Whitey Grandad said:

I thought he should have kicked that sooner. A draw was meaningless for us.

At that point not losing was more important. 

[Whitey Grandad]

1 minute ago, Fan The Flames said:

At that point not losing was more important. 

Why do you say that? One point at this state is irrelevant.

[saintant]

The numbers are pretty damning to be fair. Even with some leeway for data error it's hard to defend Baz.

[VectisSaint]

20 hours ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Feel like that has to be a mistranslation because that was the only goal I wouldn't blame him for

No, it was the one he most should have saved. His positioning was all wrong, much too far to his right, which made his (hopeless) dive to his left hopeless. Don't think many would have saved the first. The 2nd was definitely stoppable, but it wasn't as bad a blunder as #3, just that he can't dive.

[saintant]

7 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

No, it was the one he most should have saved. His positioning was all wrong, much too far to his right, which made his (hopeless) dive to his left hopeless. Don't think many would have saved the first. The 2nd was definitely stoppable, but it wasn't as bad a blunder as #3, just that he can't dive.

Have to disagree - I don't think many would have let in the first.

[Saint Matty 76]

18 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

No, it was the one he most should have saved. His positioning was all wrong, much too far to his right, which made his (hopeless) dive to his left hopeless. Don't think many would have saved the first. The 2nd was definitely stoppable, but it wasn't as bad a blunder as #3, just that he can't dive.

Yeah I said this before seeing his starting position, which is definitely questionable

However, I still maintain it was probably the toughest save of the three

[Jack]

He doesn’t produce many genuine howlers, he just doesn’t ever really save anything. Most shots that come his way seem to go in, even if they’re not really in the corner. It’s concerning 

[James]

The fact we are even arguing whether Baz is or is not one of the worst GKs in the Championship makes the decision to sign him last season as our No.1 in the PL even more insane than it seemed at the time. 

[hypochondriac]

2 hours ago, Badger said:

amazing isn't it that no other club seem to have spotted his clear and obvious potential. Our scouting network really are on a different end of the spectrum to others.

He's really excellent at distribution which is clearly the main attribute we are looking for. Never mind that he never makes any save beyond those he should save (and misses many of them too.) 

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, Jack said:

He doesn’t produce many genuine howlers, he just doesn’t ever really save anything. Most shots that come his way seem to go in, even if they’re not really in the corner. It’s concerning 

Yes this exactly. He's not terribly bad every week making rickets so it's difficult to point to certain things and say with certainty that he's crap but he's mostly just average or below every single week. 

[Nordic Saint]

3 minutes ago, James said:

The fact we are even arguing whether Baz is or is not one of the worst GKs in the Championship makes the decision to sign him last season as our No.1 in the PL even more insane than it seemed at the time. 

 Let's be clear about this. He is not just one of the worst; he is THE WORST. No other club in the league has a goalkeeper anywhere near as bad.

 

[James]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Yes this exactly. He's not terribly bad every week making rickets so it's difficult to point to certain things and say with certainty that he's crap but he's mostly just average or below every single week. 

Every keeper makes the occasional ricket - Boruc certainly had a few in the locker but you could forgive those as he won us more points than he lost. Baz has made his fair share of rickets this season (Plymouth home, Watford away) but doesn’t counterbalance those with the ability to make saves of any consequence. 

[S-Clarke]

37 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Yes this exactly. He's not terribly bad every week making rickets so it's difficult to point to certain things and say with certainty that he's crap but he's mostly just average or below every single week. 

I guess all we want is to occasionally hear ''What a save from Bazunu'' other than ''hmm, could he have done better there?''. 

If he'd have saved that third goal last night I reckon it would have been punctuated by ''what a save from Bazunu'', as it would have needed certain quality to get to it. But he doesn't seem to offer anything in that regard which is probably as harsh as I can be, as I don't think he's absolutely horrific - just incapable of making those point/game winning saves you need from a GK.

The save the Ipswich keeper made at 2-1 illustrates it pretty well I think.

Edited 2 April, 2024 by S-Clarke

[Weston Super Saint]

46 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

He's really excellent at distribution which is clearly the main attribute we are looking for. Never mind that he never makes any save beyond those he should save (and misses many of them too.) 

Then we should put Smallbone in goal - he's good at short passes too. He might even save a shot or two.

[Huffton]

I've tried to be patient with him as he's young and has a lot of potential, unfortunately though he just doesn't seem to be improving. Last night was the final straw for me, the 1st in particualr any semi competent keeper could have saved one handed yet he somehow managed to fall under it. Time to drop him now and give Lumley a go before the play offs.

[James]

1 minute ago, Huffton said:

I've tried to be patient with him as he's young and has a lot of potential, unfortunately though he just doesn't seem to be improving. Last night was the final straw for me, the 1st in particualr any semi competent keeper could have saved one handed yet he somehow managed to fall under it. Time to drop him now and give Lumley a go before the play offs.

Out of interest, what has he done to make you think he has loads of potential? Personally haven’t seen anything that suggests that.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, James said:

Out of interest, what has he done to make you think he has loads of potential? Personally haven’t seen anything that suggests that.

Unlike other shit players we've had where we can frantically post "he clearly has talent, remember that *Insert one off moment or quality in their time here*"(see Ramirez Villa game, Maras pass against Leeds) We cant really do that with Baz can we. 

Edited 2 April, 2024 by Turkish

[Jack]

15 minutes ago, James said:

Out of interest, what has he done to make you think he has loads of potential? Personally haven’t seen anything that suggests that.

95% short pass completion 

[Huffton]

12 minutes ago, James said:

Out of interest, what has he done to make you think he has loads of potential? Personally haven’t seen anything that suggests that.

He was very good for the skates (although obviously at a lower level). Pitching him straight into the prem from L1 was mental and probably set him back at least a season.

However his distribution with his feet has improved a lot. His start position is generally good when we're pressing but need a get out pass. He's not afraid to come off his line like McCarthy and when he makes that decision he sticks with it. Yes occasionally it the wrong decision but I'd rather that than have Mcarthy glued to his line like a rabbit in the headlights.

But yeah, still think its time now to give Lumley a go.

[Badger]

15 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Unlike other shit players we've had where we can frantically post "he clearly has talent, remember that *Insert one off moment or quality in their time here*"(see Ramirez Villa game, Maras pass against Leeds) We cant really do that with Baz can we. 

The only stand out moment with Bazunu for me has been his save at West Brom from a close range header. From our position at the other end it did seem a certain goal. On seeing it again on highlights it could be said it was a nice height for him etc, but he still had to get to it, and get it away (without putting it back towards an oncoming forward). 

[Osvaldorama]

Would any other club back a shit goalkeeper to relegation, and then again to miss out on promotion?

Suicidal management from the top down. 
 

Compound that with buying a crocked striker and we have absolutely fucked both business ends of the pitch. 

[Tommy Mulgrew]

48 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

just incapable of making those point/game winning saves you need from a GK

 

1 hour ago, James said:

Every keeper makes the occasional ricket - Boruc certainly had a few in the locker but you could forgive those as he won us more points than he lost. Baz has made his fair share of rickets this season (Plymouth home, Watford away) but doesn’t counterbalance those with the ability to make saves of any consequence. 

 

29 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Unlike other shit players we've had where we can frantically post "he clearly has talent, remember that *Insert one off moment or quality in their time here*"(see Ramirez Villa game, Maras pass against Leeds) We cant really do that with Baz can we. 

The save from Salah v Liverpool last year.  I think it was voted the EPL save of the week/month.  It showed he had anticipation, speed and bravery in racing out towards the edge of our penalty area to smother the shot, knowing he would probably get one or two boots in his face.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

 

 

The save from Salah v Liverpool last year.  I think it was voted the EPL save of the week/month.  It showed he had anticipation, speed and bravery in racing out towards the edge of our penalty area to smother the shot, knowing he would probably get one or two boots in his face.

shame we conceded 3 others in that half and lost the game. As others have said, what points has he won us? Genuinely cant think of any. Dont they say a good keeper is worth 12-15 points a season? He's costing us that.

Edited 2 April, 2024 by Turkish

[Wade Garrett]

21 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Would any other club back a shit goalkeeper to relegation, and then again to miss out on promotion?

Suicidal management from the top down. 
 

Compound that with buying a crocked striker and we have absolutely fucked both business ends of the pitch. 

Makes me think that Sports Republic are more concerned with turning a profit on players than our league position.

[Miltonaggro]

3 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Makes me think that Sports Republic are more concerned with turning a profit on players than our league position.

That’s the one area of consistency since they rocked up. 

[The Kraken]

14 minutes ago, Tommy Mulgrew said:

 

 

The save from Salah v Liverpool last year.  I think it was voted the EPL save of the week/month.  It showed he had anticipation, speed and bravery in racing out towards the edge of our penalty area to smother the shot, knowing he would probably get one or two boots in his face.

The fact one has to go back to last season to highlight a “how did he save that?” Moment kind of says it all. He just really doesn’t make enough saves. Antti Niemi seemed to make at least one worldly a game, Baz seems a one a season man.

Edited 2 April, 2024 by The Kraken

[James]

5 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

The fact one has to go back to last season to highlight a “how did he save that?” Moment kind of says it all. He just really doesn’t make enough saves. Antti Niemi seemed to make at least one worldly a game, Baz seems a one a season man.

Yep. Alan Blaney also once won PL save of the season….

[Holmes_and_Watson]

49 minutes ago, James said:

Out of interest, what has he done to make you think he has loads of potential? Personally haven’t seen anything that suggests that.

Made a really good save in training, during that break when Nathan joined us. Nathan made a thing about the lack of vocal response from the squad about how good it was. 🙂

There was a flurry of comments about "high ceilings" as if we'd all turned into decorators. With Baz, it's his Man City background (so, he must be good), his appearances at his age, and a bit of Football Manager.

He is super cool receiving the ball. Excellent distribution too. Quick to get out and clear and very much part of our possession game. All attributes that the next development of a posession based sweeper keeper set up would love to have.

Just seems to be let down by never quite getting to certain types of shot. Not just the ones where a save would be excellent either. And it costs us. And it doesn't save us when others in the side, and RM's choices aren't doing us any favours.

The more we move from that passing game, where his strengths are, the less use he'll be to us. But he'll still play.

[Fan The Flames]

3 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Why do you say that? One point at this state is irrelevant.

Every point matters and not giving your rival 2 more points matters even more. 10 points short with two games in hand was more doable than it is now.

[Whitey Grandad]

5 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

Every point matters and not giving your rival 2 more points matters even more. 10 points short with two games in hand was more doable than it is now.

Or we might have scored ourselves and picked up all three.

[Turkish]

25 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

The fact one has to go back to last season to highlight a “how did he save that?” Moment kind of says it all. He just really doesn’t make enough saves. Antti Niemi seemed to make at least one worldly a game, Baz seems a one a season man.

It was November last season too, so it's 17 months since that save, in a game we lost 3-1 anyway. 

[Fan The Flames]

3 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Or we might have scored ourselves and picked up all three.

Not with that pass. It was a poor pass and it was risky.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

12 minutes ago, Turkish said:

It was November last season too, so it's 17 months since that save, in a game we lost 3-1 anyway. 

After watching McCarthy stuck on his line and his crap distribution, initially I thought Baz's distribution was a real plus and he would get better at shot stopping. But he hasn't. He doesn't save anything which is really depressing.  And he in recent games, he seems to be flapping more and spilling simple crosses which can't help the defence's confidence. 

Problem is, is this really the time to bring in Lumley? I don't think so. 

[bpsaint]

He’s just a shit Angus Gunn, and that’s saying something.

[Galway saint]

This thread is now 41 pages for a single player which of itself shows how long the debate has been running. 

It’s all been said before but I feel after Monday we will a see a change in goal on Saturday. 

We have to stop shipping goals at the current rate and Baz isn’t up to it so with automatic promotion gone I think they will try and bed in Lumley ready for the playoffs. 

If he can drop KWP then he can drop Baz.

 

 

 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

6 minutes ago, Galway saint said:

This thread is now 41 pages for a single player which of itself shows how long the debate has been running.

Waiting for Goalie: The thematic sequel to Waiting for Godot, where two long suffering fans wait for their 'keeper to make a half decent save. 🙂