Where would you rank Hedman amongst the goalkeepers who have played for us? Did anyone not rate him?
That Wimbledon match is still the worst match I have ever attended. And there have been some poor onesThe fact that Hedman came in and within half a season had replaced Ogrizovic as Number 1, was really a sign as to just how poor previous back up goalkeepers were in the previous 10 years or more. I think only Filan played at Premier League level outside of Coventry City.
Hedman was the number 1 keeper when we went on that fantastic run of 7 wins on the bounce, conceding only two goals in the process (against Liverpool and Bolton away). Then when Ogrizovic came in for the Sheff Utd game we drew and nearly lost it at HR thanks to his appalling kick late on. I’ll always remember Hedman’s return from injury in the rather dour 0-0 against Wimbledon, when his return got the biggest cheer of the night (although it was somewhat unfair to boo the team for that game)
I forgot that this game was Strachan’s last in charge. From the highlights it didn’t look as though we played too badly, should’ve scored a hatful.
Remember that game. We were top of the league but never recovered that position following this defeat. Sure it was a Dennis Wise free kick that Hedman baulked at really diving for presumably scared he'd collide with the post. That's what it looked like anyway.Overrated, in my opinion. Did well when he first came in as Oggy's replacement but I will never forgive him for quite literally throwing the game away down at the New Den - early 2000's.
We had clawed our way back into the game to lead 2-1, courtesy of a superb Jay Bothroyd effort. Then Hedman decided to do his coco the clown act down at the other end and gift Millwall two late goals.
I was very critical of him ever after.
Went on a stag weekend to Hamburg, around 2002-2003. Saw him in a strip bar with a couple of his mates. Went over to have a chat with him but he continually denied he was Magnus Hedman!
He was great In the Prem. he should have displaced Oggy as first choice ‘keeper about 6 months before he did. He picked up more than a few injuries in the relegation season and Kirkland emerged as a possible successor. Yet after relegation it was Kirkland who the club cashed in on.
In the 2001-2 season in the old Division One, Herman was I’m afraid a liability. He worked out (as did a few others) that his World Cup place in the Summer was not under threat as long as he kept himself injury-free and he simply stopped coming for crosses or entering any mildly hazardous scenario.
Of course he went to Japan/Korea in the World Cup and moved on out of the club straight afterwards. We continued to languish in the second tier (which was, it should be pointed out, an underachievement).
so in summary. Good start. Terrible finish.
This is spot on. Clearly international class in the Prem, but disinterest and distraction caused a massive decline thereafter, and that’s what people tend to remember. He was a better shot stopper than Ogrizovic, had better reflexes, better kicker & distribution, Ogrizovic was much better at crosses & high balls. In our ‘all time’ team there’s only ever going to be one first choice keeper, but take out the loyalty aspect and an in form Hedman was probably as good.. and I hate saying that out of loyalty to the big guy
I thought Westwood was potentially better than all of them- give him Oggy’s height & ability on crosses and he’d be pretty special.
My dad always says there is only one choice when it comes to our best goalkeeper and it isn’t Oggy it would be Bill Glazier
Mine used to talk about Arthur Lightening loads, apparently he was something of a character off the pitch as well..
House burglar, apparently.Mine used to talk about Arthur Lightening loads, apparently he was something of a character off the pitch as well..
I think we were 5th or something similar that season with a dozen games remaining? We then lost 8 of the next 10. I do wonder how different it could have been if we went up first time of asking - if you don’t get up the first season you come down you can stay there for a very long time, Leeds, Forest, Sheffield Wednesday. All took trips to the third tier
we really blew it didn’t we? I recall Nilsson’s run when he took over galvanized us and we had some memorable wins, none more so than the 4-3 against Man City which was one of my favorite ever games. Our downfall coincides with Jim Smith coming in and bringing with him the Derby rejects such as Carbonari. McGinnity didn’t really have a clue what he was doing and should’ve given Roland another season. I can’t think who we brought in directly afterwards...McAllister maybe?
Peter Reid I believe
Yes, sorry, I stand corrected. I was getting Nilsson and Eric Black mixed up.It was Nilsson, Oggy, McAllister, Eric Black then Peter Reid
I never rated him very highly. Oggy was never afraid to put his head in when boots were flying. Can't say the same for Magnus.