The Oli debate

[Mr Tree]

obviously i put my trust in you lot... you tell me Oli's performing well, i'll believe you!! all i'm saying, is that the only thing i notice are the goals conceded, which quite often seem to be oli's mistake, e.g 2nd goal vs K*ngstonian, Rotherham match, goal vs Oldham... he seems a good keeper at claiming crosses and dealing with the ball in a sweeping role, but when he tried to take on that Oldham striker with a cruyff turn on saturday... F*CK ME WAS I SCARED!!!! so what's the general feeling???

 

[Aussie Bee]

I've never seen him either Dan but I have a mate over there at the moment and he reckons he is sh*t - But on here everyone seems to love him so who knows!!!

 

[lee barker]

Well it wasn't for Oli then in the earlier part of the season we would of been hammered a few more this season but at the minute he have a poor spell but what choose do we have

1.recall Woody who got hit for Six on Boxing day.

2.Paul Smith never play first team football?

3.Keep with Oli

or 4.buy any keeper(very unlikely)

 

[Leicester Bee]

With a defence as slow as ours currently is, then I'm grateful that Oli can play a tiny bit, and that he can sweep up at the back. Once we get a pacey defence, then you won't see Oli coming out as much as we have seen all season.
As for the rest of his game, I am going to support him, as keepers thrive on confidence. As a shot-stopper, he is second to none, as catching crosses, he is extremely able, and for commanding his area, he is terrific.
Now compare that to keepers that we have as alternatives, or even keepers of the past.

 

[Times Bee]

I wonder if it is a coincidence that his downturn in form has coincided with the goalkeeping coach leaving as cost-cutting exercise?

 

[Jimbee]

Granted he has had a few dodgy moments lately but he didn't have a chance with either of the Swindon goals or the Oldham goal. He has probably been at fault for 5 or 6 goals this season but compare that to the number of outstanding saves he has made and the figure pales into insignificance.

At this level you don't often see a keeper who commands his area so well and is as quick off his line. Perhaps the fact that his reactions are so quick and he does like to go for the ball outside the area occasionally mean that sometimes he is bound to make misjudgments.

I think that these aberrations are far outwieghed by the plusses he has brought to the side.

 

[Ayes B]

The pluses definetly outway the minus leaving Oli with hefty balance in his account

 

[Spelthorne Bee]

The plusses outweigh the minuses by a country mile. I can't believe there is an "Oli debate"!!! The guy commands his area, knows when to catch and when to punch (and does it well), is a great shot stopper and a last line sweeper. Of course he makes the odd mistake from time to time. So what? He's the best keeper we've had for at least the last 30 years.

 

[Thomas Bathurst]

Christ Aussie Bee, with friends like yours, no wonder your views are so often way off the mark. All is forgiven - I'd suggest finding a more reliable source for your bees information though!

[This message has been edited by Thomas Bathurst (edited 29 December 2000).]

 

[Isleworth Bee]

Oli is the greatest keeper we've ever had. Full stop.

Even Gordon Banks has been known to drop a few crosses

 

[Aussie Bee]

Morning Thomas - That's why I read this board!

 

[newbury bee]

I don't even believe we are having this debate. He is by far the best goalkeeper I have ever seen at this level. End of debate.
By the way who told yo-u that he was at fault for a goal against Rotherham? I don't remember one. Also how can it be the keepers fault if a shot heading one direction is then controlled and slammed in the other direction by the striker whilst the keeper is recovering from his dive from the first shot ala Oldham? Strange idea of what a goalie error is. The one you didn't mention was wigan where even I will admit he made an error. However just for his performances from August till November he is my player of the season cause without he we'd be in serious relegation trouble.

[This message has been edited by newbury bee (edited 30 December 2000).]

 

[Mr Tree]

great to see y'all leaping to his defence!! i just thought he had had a couple of problems lately, and from what I'VE seen, isn't as amazing as y'all say (but remember, i have only seen bristol city [worthington cup], rotherham and oldham this season!!)

newbury bee, i was at rotherham game, from what i can remember they had 3 shots and scored 3 goals!! didn't think he was totally to blame for any of them, but personally i questioned his positioning, tho i can't recall for which goals... i mentioned all this on 'ere at the time!! and vs oldham, i have seen it said once or twice and it was my opinion too that he went down very early

accept the point about alternatives, i hope he proves to be as great as u lot say

 

[JonnoTheBee]

Had Oli made these mistakes earlier in the season we wouldn't have thought much about it as the whole team was playing badly and we didn't know what he was like. Now, he's got an excellent reputation which is thoroughly deserved and so we expect more. This is also partly due to the whole team doing well. Come on we would have no quarms if it was Woodman making those mistakes. Give the man a chance, everyone makes mistakes and I feel he is the best keeper we could possibly get at the club.
And I LOVE Oli, he a great keeper and a good bloke.

I agree that Oli's recent form could be down to our goalkeeping coach leaving.

 

[King Bee]

I actually prefer Oli's missus....

 

[alikat]

I think that, although he is one of the better keepers that we have had in the last 25 years, he is prone to making mistakes, and, for that reason, I would rate Len Bond, Paddy Roche and possibly Graham Benstead above him for overall performance.

Happy New Millennium to all!

 

[Nigel Brooks]

Originally posted by alikat:
I think that, although he is one of the better keepers that we have had in the last 25 years.
Happy New Millennium to all!

Sound keeper Oli, entertaining and not frightened of coming off his line. Anyone know if we are doing anything for Jason Pearcy by way of a testimonial. I liked Jason and feel that we have just let him 'slip away' without recognising that his playing career is over.

 

[rebus]

Originally posted by Nigel Brooks:
Sound keeper Oli, entertaining and not frightened of coming off his line. Anyone know if we are doing anything for Jason Pearcy by way of a testimonial. I liked Jason and feel that we have just let him 'slip away' without recognising that his playing career is over.

Jason's contract was paid up in full in October and no doubt he will/has got an insurance pay out also, therefore a Testimonial is not needed, however this does not compensate him for not being able to play League football again...

 

[Mr Tree]

ok, money wise a testemonial is not needed, but surely the sentiment is there?? jase was well liked by the fans and i think we'd like a chance to say goodbye...surely if enough of us ask the club, they will listen ot the fans (am i being naive??) any views Peter G??

 

[Baz Bee]

Without a doubt Oli is one of the best keepers I've seen playing for the Bees in the past 35 years. He's a great shot stopper, quick, sometimes too quick, of his line and commands the area. Agreed he is also a tad eccentric, but aren't all goalies a bit mad?

However, I believe that one area where he could improve is crosses, especially from corners. He rarely looks comfortable and often fails to make the ball his own. For someone who is 6' 3"+ he is frequently crowded out by forwards and often lacks positional sense taking up a position too near to the front post and thereby struggling to command the ball.

Notwithstanding my last paragraph, I still consider Oli to be one of our best assets and a great keeper.

[This message has been edited by Baz Bee (edited 03 January 2001).]

 

[AB]

I don't think he has that much a problem with crosses, its just that he plays in the continental style and prefers to punch rather than catch the ball all the time, which means he needs to position himself differently. As a former basketball star, his control of uncaught balls is pretty good (I'm sure I saw him use some basketball skills in the game against Oxford to get the ball out quickly).

Definitely the best keeper I've seen in the 7 years I've followed the Bees.

 

[Aussie Bee]

Oh please Dan The Bee - a "testemonial" (I can't spell either!) for Jason? He's come to us on a free from Wigan and played very few games - Nice bloke, good goalie, but a freebie for him? Don't think so

 

[Mr Tree]

i dunno, i just think something should be done for the lad, he was well liked here... also a chance for the fans to say goodbye??

 

[Peter G]

To Dan the Bee - My thoughts have already been made public about Jason Pearcey. Paul Evans and I have offered to organise a Golf Day/Social Event for Jason. We`re just waiting for the go ahead.

 

[West Ealing Bee]

Originally posted by Aussie Bee:
He's come to us on a free from Wigan

I stand ready to be corrected but I think he came from Grimsby or Mansfield.

 

[Edmundo]

Twas Grimsby.

 

[West Ealing Bee]

Well it certainly wasn't Wigan?!?!

 

[Mr Tree]

Originally posted by Peter G:
To Dan the Bee - My thoughts have already been made public about Jason Pearcey. Paul Evans and I have offered to organise a Golf Day/Social Event for Jason. We`re just waiting for the go ahead.

thanks peter, didn't know about that

sounds like a good idea, hope it goes ahead and gets a good backing!! any news on how jase is getting on at non-league level?? has he found a club??

 

[didier]

Jason's leg still ain't right yet. He hope to start playing next season