22 Jun 2015 12:03:02
While we begin the process of rebuilding our pillaged club, it is gratifying to see fellow Bears concentrating here on football matters. Naturally conjecture runs riot about the shape of W&W's revamped squad. They are obviously taking an intelligent and enlightened approach to player recruitment, the polar opposite of the McCoist madness. However, having enjoyed great Gers keepers from Bobby Brown to The Goalie and Shagger, I am convinced that we must prioritise this position in the spine of the new team. Even before he Motherwell fiasco, Bell to me is not even as able as some of the journeyman keepers in our own league. He utterly fails to command his box and, while doubtless unnerved by bombscares like Jig and Mohsni in front of him last season, he never convinces as a reliable or intimidating presence. There are any number of candidates on either side of the border that Mark and Davie should be considering bringing in as a squad lynchpin. The other putative outfield captures all look promising, and in cases like Eustace, Wilson and Allan, show early shrewd judgement, but we really do need a goalkeeper who can inspire complete confidence as a basis for longer term quality and resilience. Tall, commanding, and authoritative as well as an agile shot-stopper. Basics first, gentlemen!

1.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 12:37:12
Doesn't matter how good your goalie is if you can't score, or if you have a awful team which can't defend.

2.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 16:23:41
I agree with both posts, but a good keeper is vital and can be a game changer. Bell like templeton hasn't impressed since being injured. At this stage I would settle for a promising young keeper with great presence who will get plenty game time with Bell. When / If we get promoted if neither look good enough for the premier then make a top goalie a main priority next summer.

3.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 17:07:30
Try and get George Long on loan or buy him from Sheffield Utd, was at Motherwell on loan last season. Good young keeper

4.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 17:20:08
EWell said old yin!

I 100% agree with you I have been trying to post that on here for a long time.

Bell is the worst, by far, Rangers goalkeeper I have seen since big Peter McCloy was getting on in years and a wee bit slow getting down for shots, that said McCloy commanded his area and at his peak was a very good GK. Since then Rangers have in my opinion had some of the best GKs in Europe between the sticks my 3 favourites being 1. Goram, 2. Klos and 3. Shagger. Chris Woods and many others being nearly as good.

Defences are dependent on having the confidence of a secure GK behind them, Bell is not a good goalkeeper in any form.

I really hope W & W go for a replacement rather than waiting to see a disaster unfold with Bell.

{Ed039's Note - He is a terrible goalkeeper, there is no doubt about that)

5.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 17:52:25
Well lads u could of had our keeper, but like everything else it wasn't to be.
P.S. thanks for getting him fit and ready to come to the champions.

6.) 22 Jun 2015
22 Jun 2015 19:02:59
I'm by no means saying Bell is a great goalkeeper, he is not. But most of you probably thought he was an improvement on Neil Alexander when he signed, agreed? Which of them won a Championship medal last season? And I'm not pointing that out in a gloating sense, just merely saying you don't need a great goalie to be in a successful team in the Championship. Is he by definition the weakest link in the team? A lot of you will know that better than me but if he isn't then he certainly wouldn't be where I would focus my efforts. When on a limited budget improve a team from it's weakest point out. I'm not sure he is your weakest point and I am sure poorer goalies have got a Championship winners medal.