Tranmere Rovers
Scotty who?
By Bob Ellis
September 27 2021
Are we missing our club Captain? It's impossible to say. For years supporters have said that Scot Davies was one of the best keepers we've ever had. This is appearing more and more like empty hype.
Joe Murphy, until his injury was performing really well and Ross Doohan has stepped up to the plate since Joe got crocked. Both offer better distribution and have managed to keep a number of clean sheets. Neither has assumed the club Captaincy, which in the case of Doohan is understandable. Instead Peter Clarke has been given the armband and has done a reasonable job. The only concern is that Clarke sometimes gets in the face of referees too much.
Make no mistake, Davies is a good shot stopper and seems to enjoy what is technically called 'game management'. More often than not he manages to get away with clutching the ball too his chest just long enough to ignore the opposition fans, but not so long that he gets cautioned for it. The frustration though is his distribution, which is often slow and rarely allows for a decent counter-attack. Now, it may be that our manager, and successive managers, have told Scotty to keep hold of the ball until everyone is forward. After all, players only do what the boss tells them to. We don't seem to like the idea of a counter attack. Look at how we set ourselves up at corners, we never leave a player forward and always have all 10 outfield players in or around our 18 yard box. It could be that Scotty's slowish distribution is a symptom of a more cautious approach across the team.
When Davies is fully fit I reckon Mellon is going to face an interesting decision. Who is his number 1 choice to put the keepers jersey on? For me, subject to Murphy being fit, I would go with Joe between the sticks and Doohan on the bench. I would also let either Clarke keep the armband or give it to Spearing. I can't think of a successful team where leadership has come from the fella between the sticks.
Then again, is our relatively poor start down to poor leadership on the pitch? Are we, in fact, missing Scotty far more than we realise? He must offer something as Captain otherwise successive managers wouldn't have given him the arm band. Time will tell.
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27/09/2021 17:14
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He was worthy of the past positives he got, as he played a key part in a league 2 promotion, just like he did for Fleetwood.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
His contract is up in the summer so he has to fit by then and maybe goalkeeper coach role is looking more likely
Quote:We already have a goalkeeping coach so unless he leaves no vacancy.We could have this situation at the end of the season Doohan will return to Celtic. Murphy will retire (he nearly did at the end of last season)that would just leave Davies who may or may not get a new contract depending on circumstances.bheadlad
I have my doubts whether he will come back with the Achilles issue and certainly it would seem now after Xmas
His contract is up in the summer so he has to fit by then and maybe goalkeeper coach role is looking more likely
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:09:27:23:32:50 by jim rockford.
But it's also a fair shout that both could be gone next season.
Quote:jim rockfordQuote:We already have a goalkeeping coach so unless he leaves no vacancy.We could have this situation at the end of the season Doohan will return to Celtic. Murphy will retire (he nearly did at the end of last season)that would just leave Davies who may or may not get a new contract depending on circumstances.bheadlad
I have my doubts whether he will come back with the Achilles issue and certainly it would seem now after Xmas
His contract is up in the summer so he has to fit by then and maybe goalkeeper coach role is looking more likely
This will be the situation at the end of the season
But yes very unusual for a goalkeeper to lead a team to success
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Quote:Best keep away from the ladies on those away day tours then Elvis.E L V I S
I'd rather keep clean sheets. At very best, Davies manages 4 clean sheets a season.
Game management.
A great point if he hadn't won golden gloves last time we were in L2 with Mickey
Tranmere v Bolton 5-0
Tranmere v Wimbledon 1-0
Southend v Tranmere 0-0
Tranmere v Bristol 0-0
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Quote:E L V I S
4 clean sheets 2019/20
Tranmere v Bolton 5-0
Tranmere v Wimbledon 1-0
Southend v Tranmere 0-0
Tranmere v Bristol 0-0
A keeper is only as good as the defence. And stats aren’t kept as to how many saves were made in games a goalkeeper conceded , despite the defence being poor. It’s a team game.
Quote:TRSince1968
A keeper is only as good as the defence. And stats aren’t kept as to how many saves were made in games a goalkeeper conceded , despite the defence being poor. It’s a team game.
A lot of goals were conceded due to goalkeeping error. When Aaron Chapman stepped in as an emergency loan, we looked a lot stronger in goal. If applying your terms, Chapman shouldn't have been such a big improvement
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At his age still plenty of years left, just look at Joe, whether it's here or elsewhere.
The injury was bad and I doubt he will be back until the new year at the very earliest or, maybe March 2022.
I hope his recovery is progressing well and look forward to him being in contention for a place between the sticks.
Then I ate his Liver.......... with some baked beans and a can of coke.
If Doohan stays all season which may be one reason why he was preferred on Saturday to Murphy? I don't think he will play again for us other than maybe the Papa John's if we are still in it by the time he is fit.
As to GK Coach that would be so wrong - a L2 level keeper is not good enough to be a GK Coach if we want to improve.
Quote:Matt34
Keepers have the potential ot be good captains, because they can see a lot of the game.
I noticed in the Salford match throughout the first half when I could hear what he was shouting Joe Murphy was coaching his defenders. Telling them to hold the ball, to pass, to clear the ball, to make a tackle. That was definitely a captain's role. I'd not been aware of Scotty doing that.
Quote:Didn't think Murphy was GK coach? Thought we had another guy.DevonExile
Davies is a proven keeper with a substantial record. That said, selection should be on merit..Doohan has looked very competent and he perhaps commands the box rather better than both Davies or Murphy. The latter was playing very well before his injury and I cannot help feeling that Davies may return as a third choice. On the evidence of recent weeks Doohan would be a very worthwhile signing if Celtic decided that he was surplus to requirements, It takes time for goalkeepers to mature and he is likely to get even better. Murphy already has a coaching role and only sentiment could justify extending that role to Davies
