Simmo Destined to see out Season

[Alvechurch Assassin]

And so he should. A shrewd Pulis signing in his first term as boss. Simmo has shown great loyalty, and to miss out on being an integral part of the team going for the title would be a crime.

I appreciate sentiment can not be allowed in football, but he's a quality keeper that can win games for us.

[**** Pulling Himself Off]

What if Fulop can win more games for us though?

Edit:

Only just realised he'd been recalled!

[robin1302]

Fulop's gone though, just a bit worried now because in the past few months when defending crosses in the 6 yards box we look very nervy

[cheekymatt71]

technically keepers cant win you games they can only stop you from losing em! Unless they are like that Paraguayan dude Chilavert who takes free-kicks and pennos

But to answer the point seriously I think Simonsen was one of the first signings of Premiership quality in Pulis' first reign. It was a pretty major coup at the time I remember after originally going to Everton for 3 mill or something crazy. So he took what was seen as a step down at the time so I think he has shown a lot of faith and loyalty to Stoke and it would be appropriate he is there to help us into the Premier league. I guess im old fashioned and nostalgic in believing in loyalty and for sure its not normally reciprocated to the fans, but Simonsen is good enough for a lower half Prem team end of in my book. Dont forget calamity james and other idiots still get regular games in the "greatest league in the world"

[Alvechurch Assassin]

I felt a bit uneasy about Fulop anyway, as good as people say he is, was he really much of a step forward? Anyway, he's gone, and with Hoult being sent off the only other time Tone has looked to replace Simmo, it appears to be fate that Simmo will be between the sticks for the run-in. With Carlo Nash as back-up it's not a bad goalkeeping pair.

Don't forget, it wasn't that long ago when most were saying that Simmo was the best keeper in the division. He's definitely in the top 5, so why are we looking to replace anyway?

A back-up centre half is the most important spot for the run-in.

[cheekymatt71]

yeah agree wotnogoals. There is a problem with the defence that needs looking at and im not ruling out the goalie as the source but we cant forget the Simmo was the goalie during the binary faze and last season when we had a rock solid back four and hardly leaked any goals. I think we definitely need a leader somewhere at the back and that will also bring the best back out of Simmo. But I suppose if Pulis is settled on Cort and Shawcross across the middle then that leaves the new "leader" of the defence as the goalie which I presume hes been looking at Fulop and now Nash who are both big commanding types

So looks like Simmo is gonna lose his place because hes not loud enough rather than talent

[Lakeland Potter]

Surely being able to command your area is just as important a talent as being a good shot stopper? A really good keeper should not have any noticable weaknesses and Simo, for all his talent as a shot stopper, does have a weakness on crosses.

[AlanHansen]

Matt,

Keepers can't win you games, i think that Mark Crossley kept us up though.

CO

[cheekymatt71]

I never said he didnt Coatesy

[basingstokie]

I don't think Fulops recall is a bad thing, his signing will have shown Simmo that he can't rest on his laurels as the club will sign someone else if he isn't up to speed.

net result, Simmo more motivated and playing better (which makes him one of best in league) for very low net outlay (how much did Fulop cost us for 4 days?)

[mermaidsal]

Simo is the most bloody maddening keeper, I'm confidently expecting him to see us into the Prem and imho he's one of the best half dozen shot stoppers in the country but he gets so flappy and indecisive, he's just not a great reader of the game. If we see a defensive leader emerging to rival Higgy we'd see a less worrying Simo I reckon.

[bertieb]

What if the keeper saves a last minute pen at 1-0 up, surely he's won you the game

RS

[Dingdangdoo]

Great shot stopper but doesn't come for any where near enough balls in the 6 yard box.....

needs to be more vocal as well.........

[utcheter]

Simmo`s last minute penalty save in our first game at Cardiff set us on our way,he`ll do for me.Good, loyal, team player.

[vodkastoke]

I'd prefer Simmo over Fulop any day of the week.
Also he has turned down moves to bigger clubs and i think his loyalty deserves respect, unlike Higgy,Hoefkens,Halls,Duberry and countless others he has remained true to his word.
Every player has weaknesses but he is a true professional and he has saved us on countless times!

[CalgaryPotter]

basingstokie said:

net result, Simmo more motivated and playing better (which makes him one of best in league) for very low net outlay (how much did Fulop cost us for 4 days?)

I hope you're right, I would think its more likely to have pissed him off than anything else.

[boothenendboy]

i like simmo,he has a cute little egg in the nest.