Friedel on TalkSport this AM

[PT]

Alan Brazil interviewed him by phone and he came across as being grateful for an opportunity (at forty years old) for a chance to compete for the first team shirt, as Harry put it to him.

He was also offered a couple of clubs where he would be a definite number two but felt that, at his age, he would rapidly slide in to retirement.

He laso suggested that, with his Villa background, Ashley Yound was as good as gone, with a year left on his contract. However if he went, then Lerner would fight tooth and nail to keep Downing, who is the kind of young lad to accept his destiny and not go knocking down the Chairman's door for a transfer too.

Interesting that Redknapp has presented our case to Friedel that he definitely will be playing some games next season, if not imposing himself as regular number one.

He said that he keeps the training ticking over during close season, including yoga so fair play to him if he does come in for pre-season and gives Gomes a run for his money - its what our erratic keeper needs to concentrate his mind and keep a focus.

 

[kishman]

Thanks for posting PT. You got it spot on with the last sentence. I think this is a good signing by Harry.

 

[mike_l]

I was horrified at th prospect of signing Friedel initially, then someone posted a youtube vid of his saves this season (I know, I know, youtube can make Rasiak look like a Ballon D'Or winner) and some of his saves were pretty incredible. Given that Gomes is praised for similar things to such an extent that many of us are willing to overlook some glaring weaknesses in his game, I have actually come round to Friedel quite a bit, if his reflexes don't deteriorate too much over the close-season and he can be more of a calming influence than Gomes then he is well worth the opportunity to fight for a spot.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I'd imagine he's been brought in because we don't want to splash out on an expensive new keeper until Gomes' contract runs out next summer...

 

[PT]

I'd imagine he's been brought in because we don't want to splash out on an expensive new keeper until Gomes' contract runs out next summer...

If this were accurate, then Gomes would have been pressured to extend his contract by now...and that hasn't happened.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

If this were accurate, then Gomes would have been pressured to extend his contract by now...and that hasn't happened.

We don't know that. He may be refusing to.

 

[PT]

We don't know that. He may be refusing to.

We do know he hasn't extended his contract, either by choice or by not being offered one.

That normally means, to protect intrinsic value, Levy will be open to offers for him rather than let the player to a Sol on us.

 

[midoNdefoe]

I'd imagine he's been brought in because we don't want to splash out on an expensive new keeper until Gomes' contract runs out next summer...

Why would we possibly want gomes' contract to run out???? No return on a keeper that cost us a lot.....:rofl:.......I dont think you know Levy very well.

As someone has mentioned, he has come in with a view to developing into a coaching role, and if he can sweep some concentration into Gomes' head, then we may well end up with as good a keeper as any....

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I'd agree that it would be unusual for us to just let a player go on a free, but look at it this way: Gomes has a year left on his contract, so there is a very definite possibility that he may leave on a free next summer. We don't usually let players contracts run down to the final year do we? That means he's probably either refusing to sign a new one, which means he'll either go for free next summer or we take a cut price for him now, or we're not giving him one to sign. It seems we're hanging onto him, therefore its likely that he'll leave next summer on a free.

 

[EastLondonYid]

This signing is about as exciting to me as having a chat with Pat Rice!

 

[C0YS]

I was horrified at th prospect of signing Friedel initially, then someone posted a youtube vid of his saves this season (I know, I know, youtube can make Rasiak look like a Ballon D'Or winner) and some of his saves were pretty incredible. Given that Gomes is praised for similar things to such an extent that many of us are willing to overlook some glaring weaknesses in his game, I have actually come round to Friedel quite a bit, if his reflexes don't deteriorate too much over the close-season and he can be more of a calming influence than Gomes then he is well worth the opportunity to fight for a spot.

This is true, it's not even that his reflexes have deteriorated that much, its just errors have started to creep into his game.

Also we can guarantee him games if he fails to claim N1 spot. Europa League games!

 

[mike_l]

This is true, it's not even that his reflexes have deteriorated that much, its just errors have started to creep into his game.

Also we can guarantee him games if he fails to claim N1 spot. Europa League games!

In which case, proper competition could help bring out the best in him too, his record of consecutive games in the PL, whilst impressive, doesn't say too much for his number 2's.

 

[soup]

Looks like he'll also be competing with Jenas for the Dhalsim tag, what with the yoga.

 

[beals]

I'd agree that it would be unusual for us to just let a player go on a free, but look at it this way: Gomes has a year left on his contract, so there is a very definite possibility that he may leave on a free next summer. We don't usually let players contracts run down to the final year do we? That means he's probably either refusing to sign a new one, which means he'll either go for free next summer or we take a cut price for him now, or we're not giving him one to sign. It seems we're hanging onto him, therefore its likely that he'll leave next summer on a free.

Or the club may have the option to extend his contract by a further two years?
The usual D Levy signing on trick :grin:

 

[Azrael]

Interesting that Redknapp has presented our case to Friedel that he definitely will be playing some games next season, if not imposing himself as regular number one.

I reckon this is part of some ploy to indicate to Gomes that if he flubs then he's out of the team for the next game so he'd better make sure he doesn't.

 

[matty182]

Like some of you I was thinking it was an odd signing but the thought of someone being able to come out and catch a corner calmly without me having to border on cardiac arrest each time makes me feel good..
Also I dont want to do the usual and slag him off until he has been given a fair chance to prove himself and whilst im at the lane will support him.
I hate hearing the ironic cheers everytime Gomes picks the ball up or catches it..surely doesnt help does it

 

[spursfan77]

Maybe the Freidal signing will be what Gomes really needs. Proper competition and something to focus his mind.

 

[cabinfever]

Alan Brazil interviewed him by phone and he came across as being grateful for an opportunity (at forty years old) for a chance to compete for the first team shirt, as Harry put it to him.

He was also offered a couple of clubs where he would be a definite number two but felt that, at his age, he would rapidly slide in to retirement.

He laso suggested that, with his Villa background, Ashley Yound was as good as gone, with a year left on his contract. However if he went, then Lerner would fight tooth and nail to keep Downing, who is the kind of young lad to accept his destiny and not go knocking down the Chairman's door for a transfer too.

Interesting that Redknapp has presented our case to Friedel that he definitely will be playing some games next season, if not imposing himself as regular number one.

He said that he keeps the training ticking over during close season, including yoga so fair play to him if he does come in for pre-season and gives Gomes a run for his money - its what our erratic keeper needs to concentrate his mind and keep a focus.

Two very different statements!

 

[faulks]

Two very different statements!

FA Cup, Carling Cup, Europe.

Pretty sure you could promise the man all the FA cup games if he wanted to.

 

[rich75]

FA Cup, Carling Cup, Europe.

Pretty sure you could promise the man all the FA cup games if he wanted to.

The point is to say, "chance to compete for the first team" and " you'll def get games" are two very different things. Which one Redknapp actually said I don't know