Oh no !!!!

Ok our defence did not help the lad,but he did let in some howlers. Atkins main problem he does not take control of the box. A good goal keeper will bark at his defence saying leave the ball or deal with it. Atkins stood on his line way to much last season and not taking charge.

i have to agree im afraid , i dont want Atkins next season ,Leggzins yes ! he has had a dreadful out of action season and would surely jump at the chance of a year long loan with us. Deeney also in my opinion would be a backward step . I see Howells has gone to Fleetwood shame i fancied him at full back oh well have faith ,the backroom staff seem good and also the assistant so hopefully quality signings will follow .

I recall how we were looking at 2 'keepers in the last pre-season. Bertrand Bossu and Ross Atkins. It was such a relief when Atkins signed. Bossu would have relegated us by Christmas.

I was not aware of this but for your entertainment have a look at the career stats of Bossu on Wiki. A career of not playing. Why on earth was he on trial?

Had he not retired, I would have been happy with Kevin Poole in goal next season. I am prepared to see what Ross can do with a decent defence. I don't think it will be an issue though as I am sure Lego will be our 'keeper next season.

player watch: Ross Atkins
by ϟ Marco IL Fantastico ϟ (U1329)
7 January 2012

How is he getting on?

He seems to be getting beat from longish-range quite often from what I have seen...

Strengths?

Weaknesses?

Comparison to Legzdins?

Would you be happy to sign him permanently?

Thank you in advance for any feedback.

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comment by Emnez (U3435)
posted on 7/1/12

For me you got the best deal my friend.The lad is not a bad keeper but i think hes got a lot to learn and im afraid we havnt got the time for that.

comment by Otep (U1897)
posted on 7/1/12

At present his confidence is a little shot I think. He will bounce back.

Strengths - Shot stopping.

Weaknesses - Not many. His kicking is often not very good. His height and physique doesn't seem to give him much of a penalty area presence.

Comparison to Lego - Not as good. However, he is a million times better than Krysiak and a zillion times better than the clown we were looking at (Bossu) when Atkins was chosen.

Sign him full time? - I would be happy with that.

comment by brewerdave (U8207)
posted on 7/1/12

I think that Ross Atkins is doing fine. We are approaching a crunch point now, where the confidence of the team is a bit perilous, and whereas Lego would be unaffected by this ( he is truly considered as keeping us up last season) there is a feeling that Ross's confidence is reducing and is suspect.

Some of the goals we have let in have been from long distance, and have been questionning of the goalkeeper when the main fault is a lack of defensiive closing down and shot blocking.

We must remember he is playing behind one of the league's nervous and insecure defences.!

Shot stopping (As Otep says) is his strength.
Under Kevin Poole he should get even better!
Seems an unassuming guy, has not let us down, and has endeared himself to the fans.
So I'd be glad to see him with us next season.

It may seem stupid, but I was just wondering if Lego on loan for the next month or two for Burton, and Ross temporarily gong the other way, would be a good thing for Derby and Burton, and the two goalkeepers.

C'mon you Brewers
Brewer Dave

comment by ϟ Marco IL Fantastico ϟ (U1329)
posted on 8/1/12

Cheers lads, not a bad shout we a swap around for the rest of the season

Atkins is out of contract at the end of the season so don't be surprised to see him sign on full time.

Hope things pick up for you soon

comment by terraceman (U9418)
posted on 10/1/12

Atkins has done well, his shot stopping has been great,not commanding his area as he could yet and perhaps lacking a bit communication wise but in general i wouldn't mind if we signed him permanently. To be honest he has made a few errors but that is to be expected from a young lad and i'm sure he will only get better under the tutoring of Kevin Poole. He has had very little protection from a non exhistant back four and been unfortunate to have had a few wonder goals stuck past him.

comment by ϟ Marco IL Fantastico ϟ (U1329)
posted on 10/1/12

Cheers terraceman encouraging reports all-round, maybe it's just me looking for a problem where there is none but there seemed an unusually high proportion of long-range goals being let in! Glad he's doing well for you after we nicked legzdins just to sit him on the bench...

Our opinion of Ross hasnt changed much Marco in fact mine now is less positive than before.I dont think he will be a class keeper certainly not good enough for Derby.Nigel will want to offload him somewhere and i just hope its not on us.

Neither do I - all gk's should be decent shot stoppers, commanding your area is the key with distribution an added bonus

Emnez my friend.If you look back to boxing day we were in 5th position. \this was with atkins in goal.
The guy is extremely rated at Derby by Cloughie.
He only lost his way after christmas due to our conference back four being so indecisive and offering him no cover at all.(Bristol away a good example).
Think on the whole he probably finished infront on gaffs and great saves.
I wouldn't be suprised to see him back next season.