Just how good was Kieren Westwood (1 Viewer)

[johnniericoh]

Despite all the rumours, speculation and gossip it looks as though we have seen the last of KW in a CCFC shirt. He will be missed - or will he??

Jst how good was he to justify the adulation and praise bestowed upon him over the last three years.

I saw a keeper with unbelievable reflexes stopping certain goals rivalling many Prem League keepers but then I saw more than enough 25-30 yard shoots scything their way into the back of the net with KW often rooted to the spot.

Command of his area was very good with no haphazard punching coupled with an ability to catch many dangerous crosses.

Dead ball and from hands kicking was outstanding similar to exorcet missiles ideally suited to AB hoof ball tactics - but surely he could have rolled a few out to feet to break up the pattern now and again.

To summarise would be for me to say yes he will be missed but whilst he is considered by many to be the best in our league I think he would be struggling to displace many a prem League first choice keeper and may have to spend a bit of time warming the subs bench.

Thoughts

PUSB

PUSB

 

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[sw88]

Hes a 'good' keeper and nowhere near the finished article. Id love him to stay and try to help in what CCFC are trying to do. But i can see him choosing the easy option of moving on to be a bed warmer! Shame, but it will happen imo.

Good luck Kieron where ever you may end up!

 

[rob9872]

Any mistake keepers make are highlighted. Did you see Gomez make three excellent saves last week and all they talked about of course was his clanger. Westwood has saved us more times than I can remember, some of them quite simply outstanding. He was worth a goal in most games and will be missed greatly imo. He is worthy of many of the top premiership sides. Imagine how good he would be with an excellent team in front of him. Lets also not forget that for a keeper he is still young and has many years ahead of him. A first class keeper who we were privileged to have seen on a regular basis.

 

[TheRoyalScam]

Any mistake keepers make are highlighted. Did you see Gomez make three excellent saves last week and all they talked about of course was his clanger. Westwood has saved us more times than I can remember, some of them quite simply outstanding. He was worth a goal in most games and will be missed greatly imo. He is worthy of many of the top premiership sides. Imagine how good he would be with an excellent team in front of him. Lets also not forget that for a keeper he is still young and has many years ahead of him. A first class keeper who we were privileged to have seen on a regular basis.

I'm with you on this one, rob. He's been worth a goal a game to us. And as for distribution, well that's simply down to manager instructions - under AB it was hoof, under AT it's been roll it out to the full backs if possible. If he goes I'll wish him all the best. If he stays I'll be very happy!

 

[oakey]

Agree with johnniericoh 100%
One thing overlooked about KW was obvious if you sit level with the 6 yard box, as I do.
He is good on crosses into the centre but anything whipped across the 6 yard box to the far post has him in real bother. Of course, most keepers are weak in this area.
Very good goalie though.:claping hands:
I have never understood the worship he receives from some of our fans however. Having said that I will face the wrath of his fans who will accuse me of slagging him off.

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Personally I think he has been the Best goalie we have had in the Championship. Liked to have signed him for another 2 years and get a fee for him

 

[bamalamafizzfazz]

It is a shame to see Westwood go, I think like everyone at the club they have greatly underachieved this season and have unfinished business. All of the players were so commital towards Thorn getting the permanent job and now it appears as though three of his important players are leaving.

There is no denying Westwood's quality at this level and I do believe he could be a good keeper in the Premiership for an average team. His reflexes are second to none, from point blank range the only player who I can recall with similar reactions was Kasper Schmeichel. As JohnnieRicoh pointed out as well his kicking is monstrous and under thorn his distribution has got better all round.
I do however think that like all players he does have his weaknesses, I have noticed that shots in the air flying towards the top corner he saves in spectacular fashion but he really tends to struggle with low sometime bouncing driven shots that in theory should be easier to keep out but unfortunately quite often sends him the wrong way.
I also think that he does not 'command his area' you will only really see him vocalising when something is not going right, I have seen him have numerous slanging matches with defenders pointing and shouting after we have conceded and have thought why don't you point that out before hand.

Overall Westwood is a quality keeper but like most players he is replacable, I personally think he will most likely end up at another Championship team next season and wish him all the best and will never boo him if/ when he returns to the Ricoh... unless it's for Lesta

 

[Regis87]

I must be in the minority here ! He is a good goalie but not great and like it has been said previously would only command a place on the bench in the premiership . When he leaves we will find an another good goalie. Premiership teams have had him watched but never made a bid , maybe because he is not good enough

 

[Macca]

I'd always rather lose a good goalie than a good striker but thats just me.

Great keeper but a few years back we hadn't even heard of him and we coped. Once a player wants to play elsewhere I forget about them thats the way it is, look to the future.

 

[Clive Plattini]

I think no one has made a bid for him because we have known for about 18 months he would leave once his contract is up. So these prem teams are in no rush to snap him up. I think he is fantastic and if you go through this season's BBC match reports, about 90% will at some point mention a "fantastic" save to keep us in the game. He will be missed.

As for his kicking, he is only doing what he is told.

PUSB

 

[SkyBlueMania]

Ipswich....seriously....I would lose a lot of respect for him if he simply side stepped to Ipswich. Premiership is fine, another championship team is not

 

[BenInTurin]

I'll guess we'll all find out soon enough but I wouldn't be surprised if he's playing regularly in the prem next year. I don't think he's the type of player who would be happy to sit on the bench every week, he's got his international career to think about and that's only going to progress if he's playing. He is one of the best, if not the best keeper in the league and I think he could easily cope in the prem.

Also, you often see goalkeepers having a slagging match with their defenders after a goal because normally one of them has done something wrong!

 

[sparky]

i can see him going celtic to be honest they tryed signing him before and the keeper theyve got is just a newcastle loanee and obviously the big irish connections with celtic will cum in to play! bigger wages and champion leagues football well qualifers i shud say and only looking forward and havin alot to do when rangers turn up!

 

[Tankie]

Good morning Fellas

Its a sad fact, that a few supporters, will only realise what a good keeper Westwood is, after He's gone, I cannot remember a game, when his all round ability hasn't kept us in it, I see no weakness in any department, Superb handling, lightning fast reaction times, no reckless punching, in fact I am convinced this lad can, and will achieve success at the higher levels, I've often remarked, on another Forum, that Kieran Westwood is the best keeper, we've ever had, I've seen nothing from him to make me change my opinion, and its beyond doubt, that this players superb all round prowess has kept us in this league, for the last couple of seasons.

"Respect to all opinions"...Tank top....:wave:

 

[CovLis86]

Its fairly obvious that hes a top keeper, otherwise he wouldnt receive the adua;ltion he does from not only our fans, but opposing team fans and pundits. He will be missed, but I do also think we can get an adequate replacement in. Not as good, but would still be a solid keeper.
As for rumoured move to Ipswich, id be really disheartened by that, as I would like to think the only reason he would leave us is for a move up, not sideways.

 

[im-confused]

I think we'll be surprised by how big a club actually comes in for him. Imagine how good he would be infront of a good premiership defence.

 

[ajsccfc]

He's one of the best keepers I've seen represent us and I'll be sorry to see him go. I agree with macca's point that a striker is harder to replace though, so if it was a straight choice between keeping Westwood and King I'd keep King.

 

[Cobi Jones's Dreads]

Average championship GK nothing more nothing less imo.

 

[skybluesteve76]

I would be extremely disappointed if he didn't leave us for a much better team. Whatever happens we will be okay without him.

 

[coventryecho]

Where do people think he will end it up?

I think he will end up in prem

http://wp.me/p1ve7b-2C

 

[Covstu]

The guy is quality and i do hate people picking faults because he wants to move to a bigger better club. Personally can see him being first team at Newcastle or a club of that stature.

 

[ccfc luke]

He is a very good championship keeper (in the top 3 in the championship) but i honestly dont think he is good enough to be the first choice keeper anywhere in the premiership.
If he leaves then he will either be a bench warmer or play at a team like celtic, maybe even a championship team like leicester

 

[SkyBluesAndy]

Westwood is unproven at Premiership level however he does have the ability to move up there, no question about it. If we were getting promoted right now we'd all be chuffed that we would have the funds and potential to sign Westwood on a longer contract and if we were going to the Prem I'd be thinking at least we have a decent keeper who will save valuable points. Don't deny it, if we were going up right now everyone would be demanding the signature of Westwood (and King). We have again finished another season in the bottom half, we are a mid-table championship side at best as it stands - Westwood has been patient and he must be thinking it's time to move on now and I wish him all the best, he's been a great keeper over the past 3 years and seems like a decent bloke aswell.

Kieran Westwood duh duh duh duh! :claping hands:

 

[cloughie]

I agree with johniericoh KW is a good shot stopper but the long shots whistle past him. I will be sorry to see him go but if he was that good he would have been long gone, snapped up by a premiership team especially as he is free! PUSB

 

[oldskyblue58]

Westwood is a decent goalkeeper at this level. He is a good shop stopper with a big kick. It is true that as a team we have needed him to be a good shot stopper. However if we are able to retain the ball and put the opposition on the back foot then his contribution may not need to be so significant.... perhaps this allows AT to replace Westwood with someone less proven.

The reservations I have are that he doesnt command his 6 yard box that well, his distribution has been less than average and of late he has seemed a little weak in dealing with shots from distance. That said some of that is not getting the help from the rest of the team. I do not think he has had his best season, there have been some real clangers mixed in with the great saves this year. It happens as form tends to rise and fall over time.

Can I see him at a Premiership club...... well yes but maybe not going in as first choice and that may be a problem for him. I think he needs to be playing with better more successful players to improve his game. Premiership players are generally better organised and quicker to the ball, tend to give a keeper more options. Not saying that he couldnt get some of that here but I think he needs a change in order to improve, it is too comfortable for him at CCFC. I think maybe that he will head to Scotland but a move in England could well be to a proven top Championship side..... one that pays him better but offers an apparent better chance of success.

I wouldnt say that he would walk into any current Premiership team as automatic first choice though. Dont think too many top teams have fallen over themselves to buy him..... and there has to be a reason for that, which isnt just waiting for his contract to wind down.

Personally I wish him well in what ever he chooses to do...... If he chooses to chase better wages somewhere then good luck to him and I have no problem with that- who wouldnt want to be better paid for doing the same thing given the opportunity?.... I think he has always done his best for us and owes the club nothing.

 

[rob9872]

I disagree with an OSB post - I guess it had to happen eventually

Time will tell either way I guess

 

[oldskyblue58]

would be boring if we all had the same opinions Rob !

 

[rob9872]

I guess it would render the forum a little pointless

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

I disagree with him owing the club nothing, but I can't fault him for moving on.
Doesn't mean I like him though...
Costing us £1m for him because he wants a bigger signing on fee still leaves me feeling a bit sore. saying that, I want Joe Murphey who's also on a free...

 

[coventryecho]

Signing for Ipswich would be a massive side step, as others have said I wish him well if joins a premiership team but the championship is such a yo yo league the only reason to move within the league is for money