So hands up anyone who predicted Nick would be an England Keeper of the future during his time at Charlton? No one? Of course not. I certainly didn't.
Did he make mistakes? Yes.
Was he unfairly treated by some sections of our fans including on here? Yes I think he was. I can remember arguing that he had the makings of a decent keeper and being told that he would never make it in a million years.
It shows that confidence built on belief in you by the Manager is so important. What did Burnley's coaching staff see in Nick that many fans here could not see? I always thought his height would help him. He is a little rangy but that makes him likely to be more agile IMHO.
He has seized his chance with Heaton's injury and shown the promise that I personally saw in him and truly taken a massive leap forward.
He is 3rd choice but I don't think he's far off 1st to be honest.
If Tom Heaton hadn't been injured, Pope would have gathered splinters on the bench, with the odd cup game, and instead it would most likely have been Tom Heaton in the England squad. Indeed with his previous England experience, he could have been first choice.
It takes a huge bad move to make me turn against one of our own players and I always wanted Nick Pope to do well for us, it's not his fault he wasn't Ben Hamer and I didn't think had make the step up in really pleased for him he has and has grabbed his chance with both hands
So hands up anyone who predicted Nick would be an England Keeper of the future during his time at Charlton? No one? Of course not. I certainly didn't.
Did he make mistakes? Yes.
Was he unfairly treated by some sections of our fans including on here? Yes I think he was. I can remember arguing that he had the makings of a decent keeper and being told that he would never make it in a million years.
It shows that confidence built on belief in you by the Manager is so important. What did Burnley's coaching staff see in Nick that many fans here could not see? I always thought his height would help him. He is a little rangy but that makes him likely to be more agile IMHO.
He has seized his chance with Heaton's injury and shown the promise that I personally saw in him and truly taken a massive leap forward.
He is 3rd choice but I don't think he's far off 1st to be honest.
I slated him, I already ate my humble pie when he solidified his place at Burnley.
His consistantly outstanding performances while on loan at both York and Bury went a long way to proving what a good young keeper he was at the time. And he was very highly rated by our own coaching staff.
Once back at Charlton, he would pull off worldy saves mixed in with his occasional trademark loose ball off his chest when diving low. No hiding place for any keeper, and a certain element of our fans would never forget the mistakes and gave him hell for it - and you could see Pope getting increasingly nervous when he was playing at The Valley.
IMO at the time, his ability was plain to see. But I did wonder though if his nervousness would be his undoing.
But in March that season he was restored to the 1st team for the final 15 matches - and I can't remember him putting a foot wrong. No sign of the jitters, no loose balls, and outstanding save after outstanding save.
We played Champions Burnley in the final game - and despite conceding 3, Pope made some terrific saves. Burnley must have been sufficiently impressed to sign him soon after.
My opinion was that he was always going to be a decent lower Prem / upper Champ keeper. I thought in time he might be able to push for selection with a run of form (like Carson, Foster, Forster, Heaton before him) but never thought he'd be in the World Cup squad so soon.
It takes a huge bad move to make me turn against one of our own players and I always wanted Nick Pope to do well for us, it's not his fault he wasn't Ben Hamer and I didn't think had make the step up in really pleased for him he has and has grabbed his chance with both hands
And how much farther AHEAD of Hamer (in terms of recognition) is he now?
i actually wouldnt be surprised if its the multiple sell on clauses on all the players that have come through the doors that RD is trying to get to inflate the price of CAFC.
I know he's only a Goalkeeper and didnt play yet Nick Pope must be the first England player back playing for his club side let alone training with them after the World Cup?
Comments
Did he make mistakes? Yes.
Was he unfairly treated by some sections of our fans including on here? Yes I think he was. I can remember arguing that he had the makings of a decent keeper and being told that he would never make it in a million years.
It shows that confidence built on belief in you by the Manager is so important. What did Burnley's coaching staff see in Nick that many fans here could not see? I always thought his height would help him. He is a little rangy but that makes him likely to be more agile IMHO.
He has seized his chance with Heaton's injury and shown the promise that I personally saw in him and truly taken a massive leap forward.
He is 3rd choice but I don't think he's far off 1st to be honest.
If Tom Heaton hadn't been injured, Pope would have gathered splinters on the bench, with the odd cup game, and instead it would most likely have been Tom Heaton in the England squad. Indeed with his previous England experience, he could have been first choice.
It takes a huge bad move to make me turn against one of our own players and I always wanted Nick Pope to do well for us, it's not his fault he wasn't Ben Hamer and I didn't think had make the step up in really pleased for him he has and has grabbed his chance with both hands
Couldn't be more pleased for him.
Once back at Charlton, he would pull off worldy saves mixed in with his occasional trademark loose ball off his chest when diving low.
No hiding place for any keeper, and a certain element of our fans would never forget the mistakes and gave him hell for it - and you could see Pope getting increasingly nervous when he was playing at The Valley.
IMO at the time, his ability was plain to see.
But I did wonder though if his nervousness would be his undoing.
But in March that season he was restored to the 1st team for the final 15 matches - and I can't remember him putting a foot wrong.
No sign of the jitters, no loose balls, and outstanding save after outstanding save.
We played Champions Burnley in the final game - and despite conceding 3, Pope made some terrific saves.
Burnley must have been sufficiently impressed to sign him soon after.
Well done, Nick Pope!
Well done to him.
SLP saying we have a sell on clause worth over 20%.
Cannot see that as a massive hold up in the sale.
Pope goes off injured, but Heaton isn't on the bench as he has a calf injury...
Only two fit senior goalkeepers. I’d be happy if we had two senior goalkeepers, fit or not.