Goalkeeper is arguably the most difficult position to replace. We don’t need to look further than our major rival Manchester United. Ever since the departure of Schmeichel, a few ‘keeper arrived with Old Trafford with hype and reputation, left with their tails between their legs.
When David Seaman finally left Highbury last season, my major concern prior to the start of this season was - how we were going to replace him? To be honest, I was not all that positive when Lehmann first arrived. Yet again, who was us to judge Wenger’s decision?! Lehmann turned out to have a much more solid season than I had expected.
As someone here pointed out before - before we start to think of the “replacement” of Lehmann, we have to consider who else will be a better option?
First, let’s look at who’s the BEST goalkeeper in the Premiership? I believe Cudicini would be the popular choice. Yet even a ‘keeper as good as Cudicini would make the so-called “blunder”. His error in the first Premiership match against us this season killed Chelsea’s early season momentum.
So, if the BEST ‘keeper in the Premiership would make mistakes, shouldn’t we be a bit tolerate towards our own ‘keeper? “Blunder” is the part and pacel of a goalkeeper’s game, the reason people would make a big fuss out of it is because this is the only way a goalkeeper would make it into the highlight film, how well he handles the cross, how dominated he’s been in his own box nobody would care to mention. Great ‘keepers like Schmeichel had done it, Kahn had done it… and the best example is Seaman. He had been consistently brilliant playing for us for a decade, yet at the end of the day, people would only talk about his “blunders” against Brazil and Zaragoza.
No doubt Lehmann had made a few costly mistakes this season, and personally I’m concerned of his temper, but overall he has been very solid playing for us. Afterall, aren’t we having the best defensive record in the Premiership so far?
Yes, probably we can get a better ‘keeper next season, but let’s don’t forget our budget are tight with the contrustion of the new stadium. When we already have a solid first team ‘keeper and two promising young keepers (Taylor and Stack), why we need to spend another few million pounds for a new goalkeeper?
Besides, no matter how great a reputation a goalkeeper being, that does not mean he will fit into the team instantly. Again, just look at the case of Man Utd. Wasn’t Bosnich one of the most highly rated ‘keeper in the Premiership before joining United? Wasn’t Barthez one of the most highly rated ‘keeper in the world before joining United? The fact that Lehmann has settled in with our team so quickly, we should consider ourselves lucky!
9 Responses to “At the defence of Lehmann”
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March 31st, 2004 at 11:34 am
Close but no Cigar.
I get where you coming from but Jens is part of a team. Even the best Schmeichel, Kahn or Seaman all had their up and down.
Lehmann is learning and will get there or out but for someone to blame him for one mistake or another is stupid. I can say the same thing about Henry who some fans are scare of saying anything wrong about. Maybe write an article about Henry’s silly display at the end. Every fan at highbury saw it unless you were drunk like some.
Henry is great but had some chances to kill the game on saturday so whether is Lehmann, Henry or Cole they all part of a team.Keepers, Defenders and Strikers all have they days.
March 31st, 2004 at 12:38 pm
Please the game was played on sunday and not saturday. So who was drunk here ?
Chap,I dont agree with you here. Some of players cost us games at time. Ok we have not lost yet and I hope not.
March 31st, 2004 at 12:38 pm
No problem with Lehmann. As stated, we have the best defensive record in the league. Who would you want to replace Lehmann with…?? and what is the guarantee that he would play as well (let alone be better). There is none. I think he has played very well… with great confidence, and is a big part of our success this year.
I wholeheartedly agree with BarnetFC on the antics of Henry at the end of the match on Sunday. Totally ridiculous reaction… especially from someone who spurned earlier chances to score. He is great… but he is certainly not beyond reproach. If he continues to act like that, we won’t have this GREAT TEAM SPIRIT for long.
March 31st, 2004 at 1:44 pm
Andez, I got your point. It was a good one, as well?Lehmann deserves a break. Just wanted you to know that I read the whole thing. ;^)
I suppose that, had he managed to get us clean sheets throughout the entire year, we would still be wondering if there wasn’t a way to crank our possession up to 100%, which of course would mean holding the ball from kick-off and scoring only in the end of stoppage time. It’s all tons of fun. And a whole lot more, too.
Lehmann defends the goal like an eagle defends its nest. He’s insulted that you want to score. I like that. Something about the crazy guy at the end of a hard-worked cross that just might heap a little intimidation on opponents.
He’s playing right now, in fact. Gonna check up on it.
March 31st, 2004 at 4:27 pm
Germany 3 - 0 - Belgium
Clean sheet for Lehmann.
March 31st, 2004 at 6:19 pm
What did Henry do? Some of us watch on TV and can only see what the camera shows. Is it his argument w/ Lauren?
Thx.
March 31st, 2004 at 10:01 pm
I will say he got a bit emotional at the end. He was not happy with Lauren which I somehow understand but the way he went about it was wrong. He could have wait till they get into the dressing room talk about it. Anyway he should also have scored on the rebound but head the ball out of play.
For once I taugh he was going to have a fight or something. Some say is passion, others say is a bit out for order. Get yourself a copy for today’s Mirror or log to their web site. mirror.co.uk his chat with Oliver Holt.
March 31st, 2004 at 11:30 pm
On TV… after he missed an open goal with his header… he wildly flailed his arms like an angry child… who had his toy taken away.
Not class…. but crass.
April 1st, 2004 at 7:40 pm
I have to agree.
Bottom line is our record, sure it comes primarily from the team as a whole, but to keep the goals out you need communication at the back (no small feat), and Lehmann has handled that pretty well with the back four. Obviously this has gotten better as the season has progressed.
Goals like the Chelsea goal are occasionally going to happen with his ’sweeper keeper’ style.. but for how often he boldly kills off an opponent’s attack and starts our counter, I’ll take it.
I won’t say he’s the best keeper, or even a great keeper. But he fits in excellently with the team and our system, and that is more important in the end.