Biggest difference between Foster and Bachmann so far (Barring distribution from foot which is decidedly won by Bachmann) I've seen is their starting position for crosses. Foster is always taking a very aggressive starting position being nearer the edge of 6 yard box in a number of crossing situations whilst Bachmann is a step behind Foster's position. Bachmann isn't timid with crosses but I think he's more willing to let the defence handle them which may mean we'll concede an extra header or two per game, but also means we aren't likely to see another headed lob or a Huddersfield missed cross mistake. Given he's almost a decade younger than Foster he should be quicker and more agile, so I'd like to see him be a touch more aggressive with his positioning so he can claim crosses and better sweep chances before they materialise as Foster did a lot in 18/19.
Mind you Foster is so aggressive that sometimes it backfires, ie the Bournemouth game, few other flaps this season too. Think we're in safe hands with Bachmann tbf
And Huddersfield being another costly flap. Certainly, not saying Bachmann doesn't give an air of confidence but think small touches like this will help him and us more when we're under genuine defensive pressure.
So far so good with Bachmann, looks very comfortable and looks as if he has had the position for ages!, well done Daniel!
Made a couple of excellent saves. Good distribution. Holding onto that bobbling shot was essential as any fumble would have been a goal. Going to have to make a right blunder for Foster to get back in.
Wasn't overly tested with two shots of note to handle but did superbly with both. The goal he didn't have much hope with given it was 6 yards out. He looks fairly tame with crosses which I don't like but otherwise what he gives is more than what Foster was delivering these last 6 weeks. How nice it is to see a passing capable goalkeeper. Helps us so much.
Solid again. Did well to see behind the shot from distance and smothered it moving his feet well. Lovely reflex save as well after the Kiko giveaway. Distribution from foot with a lovely chipped pass and from the hand is appreciably better than Ben. Keep it up Daniel.
Still doing a good job of keeping Big Bens seat warm for him, but that is all it should be as Ben should come straight back in when he's fully fit IMO.
Because even if you do blame BF for 3 goals you think he was directly at fault for, and I don't necessarily agree with that assertion. You guys seem to forget the DOZENS of goals that he has prevented our team from conceding, and often with worldy saves that most other keepers would not have achieved. Bachmann has done an OK job so far, but in all honesty he has not really had that much to do, and quite frankly he is not, and probably never will be any where near the GK that Ben Foster has always been and still is IMO.
Yes, he's no Chris Day or Pantilimon, Foster has to earn his position back. I reckon Foster will still need a couple more weeks to recover anyway
I'm not Foster's biggest advocate, but in fairness to him, you don't have to go as far back to find a time where Foster was on top form
Foster was in top form up the Covid break I would argue, with some mutterings about his distribution. After the Covid break he still performed decently but did have a few unsure moments and the obvious Soton goal. Since the start of this Season, from October onwards he has seen a sharp decline.
Of course not! However IMO he is still a good keeper and would probably walk into a lot of PL teams right now, even if only for another season or two. I do not think he has declined as much as a lot of you guys think he has, he may be slightly on the decline, but he is still the best GK we have, and possibly the best GK in the Championship at present too. As for Deeney, he is never going to be our lone striker anymore because he has lost the pace to be so. However he has looked OK in the deeper play making role he now seems to be playing, but I still think we should try and bring in a striker or two.
You should always pick players on form. Not past reputation. Foster will have to work to regain his spot. It sends out the wrong message to players when they think their name alone will allow them to stroll back into the side. Not to mention denting Bachmanns confidence. He has taken his chance pardon the pun with both hands.
I totally agree. I don't think Foster should have been dropped like some were calling for as his performances were fine. Injury has opened the door for Bachmann and he has largely done well so he should stay put. Competition for places is healthy as we have seen this season with Femenia's performances following the arrival of Ngakia.
Ben has a rival on and off the pitch ! https://mobile.twitter.com/WatfordFC/status/1361302900329349123
Bachmann has much, much deeper voice than Foster. Also, 5:00 - When you want to scream at your defence but you just fell on your side. Relatable.
Definitely his most difficult game for us since he came in the side, nervy punch to lead to the corner where they put the ball in the net, and there wasn't much in the foul on him (much like Foster against Wycombe, keepers don't half get protected these days!), but credit to him, a great save to claw the ball away late on!
Yep, didn't look comfortable on any of those corners really. I wouldn't like to swap places with him though! Wish we could take corners like that.
Looked a real liability from crosses and corners into the box. Weak and helpless and gave no confidence to his defence. The og was scored from almost on the goal line too, he should have gone for it. Really disappointed in him today. Time to restore Foster.
Tbf, I don't know if I'd blame him for their goal, it was a wicked ball in with plenty of dip. It's just one of those things tonight, I've never seen him do well with crosses, but he's positionally better and holds on to shots better than Foster, so...take the rough with the smooth! He won't have many more difficult games than that I suspect, Derby are particularly strong from set pieces, and hopefully he'll have man mountain Sierralta back for the next game!
Was something of a perfect storm. A strong set piece team who has obviously worked on routines tailor made against us which is more than can be said of other opposition this Season against us this Season while we are missing our most capable aireal asset in Sierralta and a defensive sound but slow defender in Cathcart and a poor WTE tonight. More importantly for me, Bachmann is far more rounded and is an improvement on Foster in other aspects of his play which we were lamenting earlier in the Season when Foster was still in form, let alone out of it (ie: Handling, Communication out of his box, Distribution) Bachmann has room to grow still and seems the driven type of character to work on this on the training ground than be content where he is ie: Foster. I think if we stick with Bachmann it will get better in time. I don't think he's ever going to be as aggresive as Foster for better or worse but the more he plays the sharper he'll be and be exposed to situations he wouldn't be in training to help develop him.
He will learn from tonight. I have no doubt they will go over the game with him in training. He’s got to command the box better and he will know that. Not going to get on his case yet. He’s been solid since coming in for Foster. Blackburn would have watched tonight. So he will need to be switched on. This will be a test of his character now and see how he bounces back after his “worst” performance so far.