Mark Flekken (Closed Thread)

[LP_Brentford]

Yeah, just like that, throw 13m down the drain. We are not that big you know, we are not Chelsea.

Give Strakosha a go?

 

[Tom the bee]

I've watched the highlights multiple times – thought he did as well as can be expected – but if you don't like Flekken you'll see whatever you want to see.

If Flekken was as bad as everyone on here seems to think, journalists would be mentioning his clangers in every match review.

Under every video highlights other fans would be saying "wow I can't believe that awful shot beat the Brentford goalkeeper" but somehow they don't appear.

Funny that, isn't it? What phenomenon can explain it?

Go rage at Ghoddos for the first goal, Pinnock for the second, and Collins for the third. Each lost their individual battle and let a hugely talented attacker have a shot at goal.

Pinning every goal we concede on Flekken is just such blatantly obvious scapegoating and it comes like clockwork whether he does good or bad things. After Collins' suicide backpass last week someone behind me went "bloody flekken!" – it's ludicrous at times.

Great post

 

[pumpkin pie]

OK.

Let's find a goalkeeper that can do both. Save and pass.

Catching the ball and coming for a cross rather than be rooted to the spot would be helpful. Lol

 

[fredpage]

I will sayYeah, just like that, throw 13m down the drain. We are not that big you know, we are not Chelsea.

It's not a matter of throwing £13m down the drain, he could be sold for around £8m, so we lose £5m absolute peanuts compared to the cost of relegation. I'll say it again, he is not good enough, it's not a witch hunt, it's simply an opinion. Did you see the Newcastle goalie against Arsenal, magnificent and he's their number 2. I will say that the one thing the defence is missing, apart from the obvious is Ivan the terrible's defensive ability. We must keep him till the summer.

 

[Chipshop Bee]

Let's keep him, and stop the centreback giving, shonky back passes and asking a, really short fullback to defend the far post when you have 3 big centerbacks on the field.

 

[mhead bee]

What are you on about...

I'm not Flekkens biggest fan as he has made basic mistakes this season, unsure why that means I am supporting the wrong club...

Because you would rather watch a team that employs a keeper who can not play football or play out from the back, which is not the Brentford way nor the way modern football is played.

Hope this helps.

 

[mhead bee]

It's not a matter of throwing £13m down the drain, he could be sold for around £8m, so we lose £5m absolute peanuts compared to the cost of relegation. I'll say it again, he is not good enough, it's not a witch hunt, it's simply an opinion. Did you see the Newcastle goalie against Arsenal, magnificent and he's their number 2. I will say that the one thing the defence is missing, apart from the obvious is Ivan the terrible's defensive ability. We must keep him till the summer.

So just a matter of throwing 5m plus down the drain

Flekken is not going to cost us relegation, if we did in the unlikeliest event go down, it will be because we have an average of 8 players missing every game not because the keeper didn't come for a couple of crosses.

You would be forgiven for thinking some people only started watching us 3 seasons ago and have yet to grasp how we operate as a club.

 

[LP_Brentford]

Because you would rather watch a team that employs a keeper who can not play football or play out from the back, which is not the Brentford way nor the way modern football is played.

Hope this helps.

???

I would rather a keeper that didn’t have the turning circle of a ferry too

 

[vcmazz]

Evening Standard reporting that we want to sign another keeper

Brentford set out clear transfer priority ahead of busy January window

Bees need reinforcements amid injuries and bad run of form

www.standard.co.uk

One that makes easy catches rather than keep punching the bloody thing for no apparent reason would be nice. Not sure such a beast still exists though. Whatever happened to goalkeepers doing that? Punching always used to be a last resort. And for a bloody good reason.

 

[nick logan]

Give Strakosha a go?

Obvs not trusted

 

[Simon W]

Give Strakosha a go?

He was given the gloves at Old Trafford ? ??‍

 

[vcmazz]

Evening Standard reporting that we want to sign another keeper

Brentford set out clear transfer priority ahead of busy January window

Bees need reinforcements amid injuries and bad run of form

www.standard.co.uk

And looking to offload Josh Dasilva according to that!

 

[jonny c]

If you would rather see De Gea mis-controlling back passes, watching our defenders slash clearances into the crowd rather then trust his feet and roll it back to rebuild a move, watch the ball being hoofed up to Wissa and Potter rather then dinked into Jenson's feet and watch every goal kick go long rather then build from the back then you are supporting the wrong club.

De Gea is an excellent keeper. You don't get 45 caps for Spain without being able to pass the ball, and whilst he is no Raya, he is a brilliant shot stopper.

 

[fredpage]

So just a matter of throwing 5m plus down the drain

Flekken is not going to cost us relegation, if we did in the unlikeliest event go down, it will be because we have an average of 8 players missing every game not because the keeper didn't come for a couple of crosses.

You would be forgiven for thinking some people only started watching us 3 seasons ago and have yet to grasp how we operate as a club.

No, I didn't start watching three years ago, I started watching in April 1954 when we lost 1-0 to Luton and got relegated to the old div 2. I remember the likes of Gerry Cakebread and Chic Brodie so don't start that old chestnut about Johnny come lately's
Flekkon might cost us our prem status he certainly won't help, I'll say it again HE IS NOT UP TO IT.

 

[VitaminBee]

Anyone who thinks Flekken doesn't have the ability to play at this level is a bit of a moron IMO. He's moved to a new club in a new country and is put behind a new defence every week in a team that have been ravaged by injuries and are underperforming beyond belief. Goalkeeper is the most important position on the pitch when it comes to confidence (Raya's start at Arsenal case in point) and nobody on Earth would be feeling confident in MF's shoes right now. Can't wait to revisit this thread when things are on the up again and see some of you act like he's magically turned into Lev Yashin overnight. Use some critical thinking and give him a fair chance!

 

[TW3Bee]

Agreed but if we stay up and Burnley go down how about James Trafford? He's only 21 years old would probably cost around 12 - 15 mill
Without doubt a far better keeper than Flekken, what do you think?

Not if you listen to Burnley fans.
They'd drive him to Jersey Road at that price.

 

[rg12bee]

Anyone who thinks Flekken doesn't have the ability to play at this level is a bit of a moron IMO. He's moved to a new club in a new country and is put behind a new defence every week in a team that have been ravaged by injuries and are underperforming beyond belief. Goalkeeper is the most important position on the pitch when it comes to confidence (Raya's start at Arsenal case in point) and nobody on Earth would be feeling confident in MF's shoes right now. Can't wait to revisit this thread when things are on the up again and see some of you act like he's magically turned into Lev Yashin overnight. Use some critical thinking and give him a fair chance!

That makes me a bit of a moron!
Please let you be the wise one and he turns into Lev Yashin.

 

[mhead bee]

???

I would rather a keeper that didn’t have the turning circle of a ferry too

That makes no sense, he is excellent on his feet

 

[mhead bee]

No, I didn't start watching three years ago, I started watching in April 1954 when we lost 1-0 to Luton and got relegated to the old div 2. I remember the likes of Gerry Cakebread and Chic Brodie so don't start that old chestnut about Johnny come lately's
Flekkon might cost us our prem status he certainly won't help, I'll say it again HE IS NOT UP TO IT.

So just one of those old grandad moany types who thinks everyone is sh*t,

 

[rebus]

I’ve learned to give new signings a 12-month free pass until I’ve make my mind up about them, especially from overseas.

What I will say is that a lot of people have forgotten in the past how crap some of the goalkeepers we’ve had.

 

[brentford born & bred]

Anyone who thinks Flekken doesn't have the ability to play at this level is a bit of a moron IMO. He's moved to a new club in a new country and is put behind a new defence every week in a team that have been ravaged by injuries and are underperforming beyond belief. Goalkeeper is the most important position on the pitch when it comes to confidence (Raya's start at Arsenal case in point) and nobody on Earth would be feeling confident in MF's shoes right now. Can't wait to revisit this thread when things are on the up again and see some of you act like he's magically turned into Lev Yashin overnight. Use some critical thinking and give him a fair chance!

Supporters tend to agree that an overseas outfield player moving to a new team, new country and a new league can take 6 -12 months to settle down and show their full potential. Why should it be different for a keeper?

 

[Untouchable]

how crap some of the goalkeepers we’ve had.

The specialist subject of @Silly Hat on Mastermind.

 

[alikat]

What I will say is that a lot of people have forgotten in the past how crap some of the goalkeepers we’ve had.

I'm not sure that long-term fans have TBH, especially since most of that time we were in levels 3 and 4 of the Football League, so it's hardly surprising that a lot of our past keepers weren't exactly of the quality needed to play for their countries.

 

[Simon W]

Some on here we’re writing Flekken off during the USA preseason ?

When someone dislikes a certain player is very hard to talk them round and sadly they quietly hope the player carries on making mistakes just so the can say “I told you so” ?

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Some on here we’re writing Flekken off during the USA preseason ?

When someone dislikes a certain player is very hard to talk them round and sadly they quietly hope the player carries on making mistakes just so the can say “I told you so” ?

Especially a keeper.

 

[stomalomalus]

Just to interject, but Flekken is my kids’ favourite player.

true, it’s because the word flekken means sautéed meat in Hungarian ?

but still

 

[westendbee]

I’ve learned to give new signings a 12-month free pass until I’ve make my mind up about them, especially from overseas.

What I will say is that a lot of people have forgotten in the past how crap some of the goalkeepers we’ve had.

We’ve never spent anything like 8 figures on a keeper before, expectations are somewhat higher these days.
It’s also fair to say that misjudgements / mistakes are much more likely to get punished at this level.

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

I’ve learned to give new signings a 12-month free pass until I’ve make my mind up about them, especially from overseas.

What I will say is that a lot of people have forgotten in the past how crap some of the goalkeepers we’ve had.

You are 100% right. However, it's difficult viewing when that player is your goalkeeper. Arguably the most important one.

It hasn't been a horrendous start, granted, but he will have to improve and fast.

 

[Silly Hat]

The specialist subject of @Silly Hat on Mastermind.

 

[rebus]

You are 100% right. However, it's difficult viewing when that player is your goalkeeper. Arguably the most important one.

It hasn't been a horrendous start, granted, but he will have to improve and fast.

Brighton got thier first clean sheet of the season this week. I’m more concerned at some of our porous defence than the goalkeeper. People again forget how ropey Raya was at the start too.

 

[gordonbankole]

What I will say is that a lot of people have forgotten in the past how crap some of the goalkeepers we’ve had.

True to an extent - Simon Brown is one who always got a free pass despite being absolutely terrible (but of course, not being given a year to “bed in”.

I remember saying during the Butcher disaster that “there are more serious problems in the team than the goalkeeper.”

However, he was still seriously poor, as became increasingly obvious. The scales disappeared from my eyes eventually.

I am getting the impression that the same thing is happening now - yes, there are serious problems in the team for very obvious reasons but I see people wavering now over Flekken in the same way I did over Brown.

And for the predictable lot who will tell me that I would love to see him fail, please don’t even go there.

 

[stomalomalus]

True to an extent - Simon Brown is one who always got a free pass despite being absolutely terrible (but of course, not being given a year to “bed in”.

I remember saying during the Butcher disaster that “there are more serious problems in the team than the goalkeeper.”

However, he was still seriously poor, as became increasingly obvious. The scales disappeared from my eyes eventually.

I am getting the impression that the same thing is happening now - yes, there are serious problems in the team for very obvious reasons but I see people wavering now over Flekken in the same way I did over Brown.

And for the predictable lot who will tell me that I would love to see him fail, please don’t even go there.

The thing is, Flekken isn't making technical errors. He doesn't seem a poor keeper.

But he's 'twitchy', for want of a better word. He's unsure of himself. He's played behind about 12 different combos and he does not feel settled. And despite that, he's not a complete disaster.

He might not become a legend of the club, but I see no reason he couldn't become a very good keeper for us, so long as we sort out our injury problems and start winning some games...

 

[fredpage]

So just one of those old grandad moany types who thinks everyone is sh*t,

You my friend are totally out of order. I'm certainly a grandad in fact a great grandad. However, I'm not a moaner, I've never boo'd a bad performance by any player and I've seen a few over the years. At ANY age an opinion is valid whether you're 10 or 100 years old. I've stood on a terrace on a cold wet January night in league two with 3,000 other proper fans whilst you were probably watching Chelsea on the box. So stick that up your ar**

 

[fredpage]

Some on here we’re writing Flekken off during the USA preseason ?

When someone dislikes a certain player is very hard to talk them round and sadly they quietly hope the player carries on making mistakes just so the can say “I told you so” ?

Do you think it's a coincidence that so many people are disappointed with Flekkon and yes I'm one, can we all be so wrong? It's not personal, if he does improve, I'll be the first to say thank god I was wrong but I seriously doubt it. If we've all got it so wrong then why aren't other players like Pinnock, Mee, Ajer, Norgaard and many many others getting the flack from fans? It's because we see quality players but not I'm afraid Flekkon. Please get rid before it's too late

 

[jlove]

... he's 'twitchy', for want of a better word. He's unsure of himself. He's played behind about 12 different combos and he does not feel settled. And despite that, he's not a complete disaster.

If he’s unsure of those on the merry-go-round in front of him, it’s hardly surprising he’s unsure of himself!

 

[gordonbankole]

The thing is, Flekken isn't making technical errors. He doesn't seem a poor keeper.

But he's 'twitchy', for want of a better word. He's unsure of himself. He's played behind about 12 different combos and he does not feel settled. And despite that, he's not a complete disaster.

He might not become a legend of the club, but I see no reason he couldn't become a very good keeper for us, so long as we sort out our injury problems and start winning some games...

He has not dropped many absolute clangers as such (though his second half performance away at Newcastle was as bad as anything I had seen from a Bees goalkeeper in a long while), but there have been a lot of “could he have done better?” goals.

Add in the constant punching, rooted to the spot bit and retreating back over his own goal line as the ball sails in (Everton), and there are a number of technical aspects I don’t like so much.

 

[North London Bee]

I suspect we will see even better distribution from him once Toney returns which will boost his confidence too.

It’s still far too soon to write him off.

 

[detours]

The thing is, Flekken isn't making technical errors. He doesn't seem a poor keeper.

But he's 'twitchy', for want of a better word. He's unsure of himself. He's played behind about 12 different combos and he does not feel settled. And despite that, he's not a complete disaster.

This is an excellent point.

So much of the discussion of whether Flekken is a good or a bad keeper is focused on the fact that he's not making "world-class, elite" saves -- or "not commanding his area" which are both pretty nebulous things to judge him on.

If he was just fumbling goals left right and centre, that would be another issue. But the fact Flekken does look technically quite sound gives me the belief that with a settled defence and a full season under his belt, he will turn out to be a fine keeper for us. He was doing great in the Bundesliga, there is clearly a player in there.

 

[gordonbankole]

I suspect we will see even better distribution from him once Toney returns which will boost his confidence too.

It’s still far too soon to write him off.

Unfortunately it did not start so well in the USA. Questions were asked then, and he has not done much since to dispel any doubts.

In our situation we cannot give someone a year to bed in - here we are nearly six months in and the same questions are being asked.

 

[Simon W]

Do you think it's a coincidence that so many people are disappointed with Flekkon and yes I'm one, can we all be so wrong? It's not personal, if he does improve, I'll be the first to say thank god I was wrong but I seriously doubt it. If we've all got it so wrong then why aren't other players like Pinnock, Mee, Ajer, Norgaard and many many others getting the flack from fans? It's because we see quality players but not I'm afraid Flekkon. Please get rid before it's too late

What did you think of Raya in his first season which was riddled with errors? .. did you want him gone?

 

[longtimeagobee]

Do you think it's a coincidence that so many people are disappointed with Flekkon and yes I'm one, can we all be so wrong?

A lot of people were disappointed in Jensen if I remember correctly, they were all wrong.

BTW, there’s no ‘ O’ in Flekken.?

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

Do you think it's a coincidence that so many people are disappointed with Flekkon and yes I'm one, can we all be so wrong? It's not personal, if he does improve, I'll be the first to say thank god I was wrong but I seriously doubt it. If we've all got it so wrong then why aren't other players like Pinnock, Mee, Ajer, Norgaard and many many others getting the flack from fans? It's because we see quality players but not I'm afraid Flekkon. Please get rid before it's too late

Fred. You're not allowed to view your opinion on here unless it's super, super, fluffy and positive.

You're post was good until the last sentence. Let's give the guy a little longer. If there isn't any improvement, then maybe a conversation to be had. The club will know the professional stats and if the performances are what they expect.

 

[brentfordfc4ever]

If he’s unsure of those on the merry-go-round in front of him, it’s hardly surprising he’s unsure of himself!

It could be any of the back tbh. The facts are that currently he isnt saving any shots that aren't routine. I get that some of the shoots wouldn't have come in but those shoots aren't being saved, whatever way you look at it.

Do you need the first choice back four to command your area and be vocal and air confidence?

This is a reputable goalkeeper that has multiple games at the highest level.

 

[Freebee]

Fred. You're not allowed to view your opinion on here unless it's super, super, fluffy and positive.

You're post was good until the last sentence. Let's give the guy a little longer. If there isn't any improvement, then maybe a conversation to be had. The club will know the professional stats and if the performances are what they expect.

Of course everyone is allowed to air their opinion but expect it to be chewed on and spat out if it tastes bad.

 

[Brentford77]

Let’s hope he doesn’t improve. There are a ton of people on here who wouldn’t know what to do with their time!

 

[badgerbee]

Let’s hope he doesn’t improve. There are a ton of people on here who wouldn’t know what to do with their time!

"Come on Down":
Mads Roerslev!!!
?

 

[rebus]

Unfortunately it did not start so well in the USA. Questions were asked then, and he has not done much since to dispel any doubts.

In our situation we cannot give someone a year to bed in - here we are nearly six months in and the same questions are being asked.

I would argue that with our poor spending power compared to others that is exactly what we should do.

The USA tour were three absolutely meaningless games and anyone forming an irreversible opinion on any player from that is not worth a light.

 

[gordonbankole]

Who said anyone has formed an irreversible opinion after the USA?

It was not an impressive start, but he has had quite a long time to put it right. What I see is “could have done better” with some goals and the other things I mentioned above.

Mediocre is the most optimistic way of seeing it, Statistics are looking at it more pessimistically.

 

[gordonbankole]

Benstead and Lee are two examples of goalkeepers who had poor pre-seasons (especially Lee) and then got it together.

Benstead immediately and Lee after a few months.

All I see from the present incumbent is the same old from the USA. If there was any improvement, I would be more than happy to acknowledge it on here.

 

[Brentford77]

Benstead and Lee are two examples of goalkeepers who had poor pre-seasons (especially Lee) and then got it together.

Benstead immediately and Lee after a few months.

All I see from the present incumbent is the same old from the USA. If there was any improvement, I would be more than happy to acknowledge it on here.

Can someone give me the postcode for the G Tech: I have clearly been watching different games to our friend. My mistake…