Since 2012, of the starting goalkeepers we've had Bachmann is only above Bond in my view at peak form. Bond was similarly a brave and strong shot stopper, but his relative inexperience handling a congested box and dangerous parrying stopped him being a higher level than League 1 / Lower Championship goalkeeper. (Though for LA Galaxy, his parrying and box command is still underdeveloped) What I don't understand is where Bachmann's handling and parrying ability has gone. It's massively regressed. Bachmann's lack of relative experience to his age is also a detrimental factor. Okoye comparatively had more senior appearances than Bachmann did when Okoye joined. (84 Bachmann vs 107 Okoye beginning of last Season) and one of the reasons I thought Okoye would be No. 1. Bachmann now has 129 senior appearances (45 appearances last Season) despite the 5 year age gap. Gomes (2014 - 2017) Foster (2018-2020) Almunia (2012-2013) Bachmann Bond (2013-2014)
I agree, Bachmann is behind the three you've listed, but let's not forget, Bachmann was originally only a backup keeper. He was third choice behind Foster and Gomes at one time. He's only a number one keeper now because of the continued squad regression over the past 4-years. In my opinion, he should really be judged among the backup keepers, of which he's probably the best we've had. He shouldn't really be a number one starter though, but that's purely down to the incompetence of our squad build over the past 4 seasons.
Now Brighton have signed a new keeper from Anderlecht, I wonder if Jason Steele would be worth looking at, maybe for a season loan? Can’t imagine he’d want to stay there as third choice, especially as he displaced Sánchez for a while last season.
No chance - Steele would surely stay as 1st or 2nd choice. He'd actually completely displaced Sanchez as no.1 and if anything they'll sell Sanchez this summer. Even if Steele does somehow leave there'll be bigger clubs in for him than us based on his recent form.
Don’t ask, don’t get! Substitute Sánchez for Steele in my post then! Unless they sell, yesterday’s new signing will mean they have a very experience number three
What are any examples of who this obtainable keeper might be who our defence could have more confidence in than Bachmann?
He seems to be joining Luton. "Luton r r rivals " https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/...x-everton-ac-milan-and-chelsea-keeper-4206148
@Watford Town Yes I agree with you it’s unlikely I was just thinking about PL clubs this coming season who might have a number 3 they would consider loaning out
I'm not that particular. Any competent goalkeeper who's comfortable commanding his box, coming off his line and distributing the ball would fit the bill. Despite Bachmann being very weak on those it's not like these are unusual skills. I should think most League 1 goalkeepers could do it well enough for starters.
Carl Rushworth from Brighton is who we should be going for in my opinion. Great loan at Lincoln. Now he needs the step up to a mid table championship team like us.
I think you vastly over-estimate how many GKs there are in the Championship who fit that description.
"Great" loan? Really? Can't say I know much about him, but just based on his stats he doesn't seem to be especially good at anything. Not sure someone of his profile is likely to inspire more confidence in the defence.
I can't quite work out if yours is a defence of Bachmann or just a pessimistic view that we can find a better replacement?
I agree. Begovic is a really poor keeper now. He was dreadful in that Bournemouth relegation season. So slow, can’t dive, poor reactions. A big no from me if we went anywhere this guy,
He really is poor. Any Watford Fan that wants him here, hasn’t got a clue. Has barely kicked a ball for 3 years as well. So many better options out there. If we sign him, then Gino has lost the plot.
It's a mild case of both. While I'm aware Bachmann wasn't great last season, even in a below par season for him he was and still is one of the better keepers in the Championship. I'm sure there were more instances of other teams' GKs costing them goals against us than vice versa for instance. If there was a clear upgrade available who would join us like a Gomes or Almunia then great, let's swap them. But there don't appear to be many obvious candidates for such a role. As it is, with our current status in the Championship, and likely limited funds, we might not be in a position to sign anyone who would be a noticeable improvement.
Those are alright in fairness, but they're also very similar overall to Bachmann's stats from the Championship (a tougher division) in 20/21, shown below for comparison. I haven't seen Bachmann's chart for last season, it will probably be a slight drop from his one in the earlier Champ season, but then you'd also think Rushworth's could drop a bit as he goes up a division. Plus Bachmann could still get over last season's blip. There seems little to suggest Rushworth would be better than Bachmann from that at any rate.
Karius at Newcastle could be available. Still only 29 I believe. He's the closest to a Gomes or Almunia I can think of.
That would be excellent, but if he leaves Newcastle there'd surely be bigger clubs interested. It's also rumoured he might try and move to Italy to be with his Italian gf.
Maybe, maybe not. Guaranteed starting position would certainly entice him I believe. If he looks back on what Almunia and Gomes achieved here he surely would be tempted. As for the Italian gf I had no idea about her. Could see him moving that way.
Anyone wanting to see the back of Bachmann (which seems to be most of the fanbase) do not read this. Exclusive: Watford close to tying down Daniel Bachmann with former Man Utd target to sign new deal | TEAMtalk
Could do better than him, could do worse. He comes across as a good club man with a good attitude, which is what we’ve all been crying out for more of in our squad these past months. Obvious limitations though for our new playing style. I’m more concerned about our lack of back-up in that position.
