Chapman

[htafcdreams]

Young goal keeper Chapman signs an extension to 2026

Thoughts on potential bids for Nicholls, Maxwell being a No 1 and Chapman being no 2 in League 1?

[Waterloo Terrier]

If you want to win the league you keep Nicholls or replace him. Not sure what Maxwell has done to suggest he would be the best keeper in League One.

[melbourneterrier]

I'd say unless we are planning to loan him (Chapman) out, that it would suggest that Nicholls will be off. Which isn't unexpected really, one of only a few you'd bet on staying in the Championship.

OR, a lesser expected thing could be that Maxwell is planning on leaving.

[uptownfunk]

Chapman has promise so maybe just to tie him down longer. Nicholls right now is a No.1. Hes had his injury problems. He’s under contract at Town. I would imagine he’ll be between the sticks for us come August.

[rockwall]

May 16, 2024 23:05:04 GMT 1 Waterloo Terrier said:

If you want to win the league you keep Nicholls or replace him. Not sure what Maxwell has done to suggest he would be the best keeper in League One.

He showed he can be just as good as Nichols last season.

[kennyk2]

Quite happy for Nicholls to go. One superb season and then two others where he was a run of the mill Championship goalkeeper.

[Terriersmad]

May 17, 2024 7:02:50 GMT 1 kennyk2 said:

Quite happy for Nicholls to go. One superb season and then two others where he was a run of the mill Championship goalkeeper.

A run of the mill Championship goalkeeper who would comfortably be one of the best in League One. We're playing a level below.

I'd be disappointed if the plan was for Chapman to be backup to Maxwell and to allow Nicholls to leave. I think it would be sensible to have a plan in place, though, and I'd hope to get good money if Nicholls were to leave the club. Maxwell more than able backup, but I'm not convinced by him as number 1 over a 46-game season. A couple of times last season he let in soft goals - Preston at home springs to mind, and I think he should have done better with Ipswich's second in the last game - and although he's an excellent professional I'd prefer us to bring in a replacement number 1 rather than rely on who is in situ.

[dugnet]

I know some lads who support Rochdale. They were impressed with Chapman, said he had a certain swagger about him.

At 23 he needs to be playing so maybe hid time to push on.

[kennyk2]

May 17, 2024 7:11:52 GMT 1 Terriersmad said:

May 17, 2024 7:02:50 GMT 1 kennyk2 said:

Quite happy for Nicholls to go. One superb season and then two others where he was a run of the mill Championship goalkeeper.

A run of the mill Championship goalkeeper who would comfortably be one of the best in League One. We're playing a level below.

I'd be disappointed if the plan was for Chapman to be backup to Maxwell and to allow Nicholls to leave. I think it would be sensible to have a plan in place, though, and I'd hope to get good money if Nicholls were to leave the club. Maxwell more than able backup, but I'm not convinced by him as number 1 over a 46-game season. A couple of times last season he let in soft goals - Preston at home springs to mind, and I think he should have done better with Ipswich's second in the last game - and although he's an excellent professional I'd prefer us to bring in a replacement number 1 rather than rely on who is in situ.

I'm trying to think of one really good save Nicholls made last season, but I can't.

I don't blame him for not reaching the heights of two years ago... Town seem to change goalkeeping coaches on a weekly basis and I think he had a really good relationship with Paul Clements.

[Terriersmad]

May 17, 2024 7:16:32 GMT 1 kennyk2 said:

May 17, 2024 7:11:52 GMT 1 Terriersmad said:

A run of the mill Championship goalkeeper who would comfortably be one of the best in League One. We're playing a level below.

I'd be disappointed if the plan was for Chapman to be backup to Maxwell and to allow Nicholls to leave. I think it would be sensible to have a plan in place, though, and I'd hope to get good money if Nicholls were to leave the club. Maxwell more than able backup, but I'm not convinced by him as number 1 over a 46-game season. A couple of times last season he let in soft goals - Preston at home springs to mind, and I think he should have done better with Ipswich's second in the last game - and although he's an excellent professional I'd prefer us to bring in a replacement number 1 rather than rely on who is in situ.

I'm trying to think of one really good save Nicholls made last season, but I can't.

I don't blame him for not reaching the heights of two years ago... Town seem to change goalkeeping coaches on a weekly basis and I think he had a really good relationship with Paul Clements.

Ipswich at home, Stoke at home to name two. Though I agree wholeheartedly with your point on goalkeeping coaches. Clements improved him immensely. He hasn't hit the heights of that first year with us, but I'd be fighting to hold on to him unless a really good bid came in and we had a replacement lined up.

[htafcokay]

How come no-one was mentioning the goalkeeping coach when Nicholls was dropping bollocks left, right and centre during the 2022-23 season?

Surely changing goalkeeping coaches doesn't effect one's ability to goalkeep?

[benhomly]

May 17, 2024 6:31:16 GMT 1 rockwall said:

May 16, 2024 23:05:04 GMT 1 Waterloo Terrier said:

If you want to win the league you keep Nicholls or replace him. Not sure what Maxwell has done to suggest he would be the best keeper in League One.

He showed he can be just as good as Nichols last season.

Not a particularly high bar to be fair.

[Sparrow]

I'd be hopeful that Nicholls is staying and him and Maxwell compete for the Number 1 jersey, with Chapman going out on a season long loan to L2. With Gio or another youngster as 3rd choice.

If Nicholls is sold, then I'd hope a replacement senior keeper is brought in.

[themanfromatlantis]

I think Nichols has had his day unfortunately, but then again, if we were to start well next season, he might harness the impetus and have another blinder of a season.

But if he goes I think Maxwell is a more than able deputy.

I think we don’t need to worry too much in this department TBH.

For folk saying Chapman is 23 etc. should be playing more games etc., how old was Nichols when we took him on a free from MK Dons? Goalkeepers can mature later and have their best yrs into their 30’s.

I think we’ll be reet…

[Jello Biafra]

May 16, 2024 22:58:28 GMT 1 htafcdreams said:

Young goal keeper Chapman signs an extension to 2026

Thoughts on potential bids for Nicholls, Maxwell being a No 1 and Chapman being no 2 in League 1?

I must be the only one that can’t see all this potential that others see in Chapman. I’ll be very surprised if he goes on to become a regular starter at Championship level or higher.
Those who think Maxwell ‘showed himself to be as good as Nicholls’ are technically correct. If you class Maxwell’s best being as good as an indifferent Nicholls, that is. If Nicholls goes then Town need to replace him with another, good quality starter. Maxwell as backup is fine, but Chapman needs moving out on loan for the season, then at least someone else can pay for his (alleged) potential to be developed.

[kwami-hodouto]

Have to say he has been pretty solid recently, minus the odd mistake you'd expect from a rookie keeper.

Definitely above Maxwell in the pecking order now, but does he keep the shirt once Nicholls is back fit?

[townarentbest]

May 17, 2024 17:20:59 GMT 1 Jello Biafra said:

May 16, 2024 22:58:28 GMT 1 htafcdreams said:

Young goal keeper Chapman signs an extension to 2026

Thoughts on potential bids for Nicholls, Maxwell being a No 1 and Chapman being no 2 in League 1?

I must be the only one that can’t see all this potential that others see in Chapman. I’ll be very surprised if he goes on to become a regular starter at Championship level or higher.
Those who think Maxwell ‘showed himself to be as good as Nicholls’ are technically correct. If you class Maxwell’s best being as good as an indifferent Nicholls, that is. If Nicholls goes then Town need to replace him with another, good quality starter. Maxwell as backup is fine, but Chapman needs moving out on loan for the season, then at least someone else can pay for his (alleged) potential to be developed.

I think if you're a decent team you don't really need a good all round keeper, a description, "good all round keeper", that would discount Chapman, who has very little presence and who you don't expect to pull off any save that is beyond routine.

BUT - what he does bring makes him probably a better keeper for this team in this division* than Nicholls or Maxwell - and thats decision making and distribution. He never gets confounded like Nicholls does in trying to play football at his feet 'too much' inviting pressure and mistakes, and he's got 2 or 3 zipped throws or passes per game that create the kind of positions that should result in some kind of chance at goal.


*Of the keepers who have played 5 or more games in League 1 this season, no keeper has faced fewer shots on targets than Chapman has. Only Allsop at Birmingham has a better "goals against per 90" ratio - so even with his relatively poor save ratio (ranked 25th) - it doesnt really matter. We're defensively pretty good, and worrying about who is in goal (or discussing if Lees is 'shot' or not, or wondering how such a clogger in Pearson can be a mainstay) is of pretty much no consequence, the problems are pretty much all elsewhere on the pitch.

fbref.com/en/comps/15/keepers/League-One-Stats

[Solihull Terrier]

Not convinced personally. We generally give away few chances and yet we still concede our fair share, haven't seen many saves of note. Doesn't seem to like crosses, but OK with his feet and seems not to panic too much.

Could yet progress but right now I'd still say he's our 3rd best keeper. That said I think it's been worth giving him a run of games for his development and he's not miles off the standard.

[townarentbest]

Nov 12, 2024 17:48:53 GMT 1 Solihull Terrier said:

Not convinced personally. We generally give away few chances and yet we still concede our fair share, haven't seen many saves of note. Doesn't seem to like crosses, but OK with his feet and seems not to panic too much.

Could yet progress but right now I'd still say he's our 3rd best keeper. That said I think it's been worth giving him a run of games for his development and he's not miles off the standard.

Its a small number though.

Only 4 teams have conceded fewer than we have in the league.
9 teams have scored more.

One of these factors has much more leeway for improvement.

[Jello Biafra]

Nov 12, 2024 10:41:29 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

May 17, 2024 17:20:59 GMT 1 Jello Biafra said:

I must be the only one that can’t see all this potential that others see in Chapman. I’ll be very surprised if he goes on to become a regular starter at Championship level or higher.
Those who think Maxwell ‘showed himself to be as good as Nicholls’ are technically correct. If you class Maxwell’s best being as good as an indifferent Nicholls, that is. If Nicholls goes then Town need to replace him with another, good quality starter. Maxwell as backup is fine, but Chapman needs moving out on loan for the season, then at least someone else can pay for his (alleged) potential to be developed.

I think if you're a decent team you don't really need a good all round keeper, a description, "good all round keeper", that would discount Chapman, who has very little presence and who you don't expect to pull off any save that is beyond routine.

BUT - what he does bring makes him probably a better keeper for this team in this division* than Nicholls or Maxwell - and thats decision making and distribution. He never gets confounded like Nicholls does in trying to play football at his feet 'too much' inviting pressure and mistakes, and he's got 2 or 3 zipped throws or passes per game that create the kind of positions that should result in some kind of chance at goal.


*Of the keepers who have played 5 or more games in League 1 this season, no keeper has faced fewer shots on targets than Chapman has. Only Allsop at Birmingham has a better "goals against per 90" ratio - so even with his relatively poor save ratio (ranked 25th) - it doesnt really matter. We're defensively pretty good, and worrying about who is in goal (or discussing if Lees is 'shot' or not, or wondering how such a clogger in Pearson can be a mainstay) is of pretty much no consequence, the problems are pretty much all elsewhere on the pitch.

fbref.com/en/comps/15/keepers/League-One-Stats

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer a bloke in there that’s a ‘good goalkeeper’ in the traditional sense. Above all else, I want him to stop the ball going in the net, catch crosses and command his area. The rest is just fluff. The sooner Nicholls is back the better, as far as I’m concerned.

[turbo2]

Nov 13, 2024 12:13:37 GMT 1 Jello Biafra said:

Nov 12, 2024 10:41:29 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

I think if you're a decent team you don't really need a good all round keeper, a description, "good all round keeper", that would discount Chapman, who has very little presence and who you don't expect to pull off any save that is beyond routine.

BUT - what he does bring makes him probably a better keeper for this team in this division* than Nicholls or Maxwell - and thats decision making and distribution. He never gets confounded like Nicholls does in trying to play football at his feet 'too much' inviting pressure and mistakes, and he's got 2 or 3 zipped throws or passes per game that create the kind of positions that should result in some kind of chance at goal.


*Of the keepers who have played 5 or more games in League 1 this season, no keeper has faced fewer shots on targets than Chapman has. Only Allsop at Birmingham has a better "goals against per 90" ratio - so even with his relatively poor save ratio (ranked 25th) - it doesnt really matter. We're defensively pretty good, and worrying about who is in goal (or discussing if Lees is 'shot' or not, or wondering how such a clogger in Pearson can be a mainstay) is of pretty much no consequence, the problems are pretty much all elsewhere on the pitch.

fbref.com/en/comps/15/keepers/League-One-Stats

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer a bloke in there that’s a ‘good goalkeeper’ in the traditional sense. Above all else, I want him to stop the ball going in the net, catch crosses and command his area. The rest is just fluff. The sooner Nicholls is back the better, as far as I’m concerned.

I never understand this nonsense about keeper being good at distribution. Their job is to keep the ball out of the net.
They can obvs train to improve this but in reality they are either a good shot stopper/catcher or they arent

Surely training 5 days a week the coaches can come up with a plan on how they distribute the ball?

[townarentbest]

Nov 13, 2024 12:13:37 GMT 1 Jello Biafra said:

Nov 12, 2024 10:41:29 GMT 1 townarentbest said:

I think if you're a decent team you don't really need a good all round keeper, a description, "good all round keeper", that would discount Chapman, who has very little presence and who you don't expect to pull off any save that is beyond routine.

BUT - what he does bring makes him probably a better keeper for this team in this division* than Nicholls or Maxwell - and thats decision making and distribution. He never gets confounded like Nicholls does in trying to play football at his feet 'too much' inviting pressure and mistakes, and he's got 2 or 3 zipped throws or passes per game that create the kind of positions that should result in some kind of chance at goal.


*Of the keepers who have played 5 or more games in League 1 this season, no keeper has faced fewer shots on targets than Chapman has. Only Allsop at Birmingham has a better "goals against per 90" ratio - so even with his relatively poor save ratio (ranked 25th) - it doesnt really matter. We're defensively pretty good, and worrying about who is in goal (or discussing if Lees is 'shot' or not, or wondering how such a clogger in Pearson can be a mainstay) is of pretty much no consequence, the problems are pretty much all elsewhere on the pitch.

fbref.com/en/comps/15/keepers/League-One-Stats

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer a bloke in there that’s a ‘good goalkeeper’ in the traditional sense. Above all else, I want him to stop the ball going in the net, catch crosses and command his area. The rest is just fluff. The sooner Nicholls is back the better, as far as I’m concerned.

I get it...BUT...!

When Nicholls plays, the advantages he brings through being a good keeper, are more than outweighed by Chapman being a better keeper for the team and where we're at.

They've both played 7 League One matches this season...Chapman has conceded just 5 where Nicholls has conceded 8 - nearly half a goal per game more.

Nicholls IS a better shot stopper, but he faces far more shots than Chapman does, due in no insignificant part to the risk and jeopardy he contributes to by poor decision making and quality of distribution, along with his increased likelihood of waiting for the opposition to reorganise before he unleashes something longer and more hopeful.

Nicholls creates too many chances against us...which, with our lack of quality scoring options up front is a big risk to any play off ambitions if he plays the majority of the remaining games.


To counter what I've written, we HAVE (just) gained more points (12) with Nicholls compared to Chapman (11)...although we have lost MORE games with Nicholls starting...but its not statistically significant.

[townarentbest]

Nov 13, 2024 12:23:49 GMT 1 turbo2 said:

Nov 13, 2024 12:13:37 GMT 1 Jello Biafra said:

Call me old fashioned, but I prefer a bloke in there that’s a ‘good goalkeeper’ in the traditional sense. Above all else, I want him to stop the ball going in the net, catch crosses and command his area. The rest is just fluff. The sooner Nicholls is back the better, as far as I’m concerned.

I never understand this nonsense about keeper being good at distribution. Their job is to keep the ball out of the net.
They can obvs train to improve this but in reality they are either a good shot stopper/catcher or they arent

Surely training 5 days a week the coaches can come up with a plan on how they distribute the ball?

Surely. But it doesn't work like that.



Nicholls is VERY different to Chapman in his distribution...just as Pearson vs Lonwijk's forward-passing /distribution is very different.



Two of these people result in a higher chance of the ball being received under control (rather than jumping in the air to try and win it alongside a defender), against a team that is less likely to be back in their ranks, meaning we're more likely to retain possession against a disorganised team and create attacking momentum.



(note I've got nothing against Nicholls (or Pearson) and their place in the team or not, I just think where we are at it makes very little difference, and it doesnt make much sense to make changes in an area of the pitch we're doing alright in and there's not that much scope for improving, when we have such obvious big issues elsewhere).

[Mav]

Controversial…. I’d keep Chapman as No.1 and let Nicholls go.
He’ll do for this season.

[Terrier Ramone]

I don't think Chapman has let us down at all, & I'd say he is our No 2 gk now but, for me, it's a no brainer, an on form Nicholls is far too good for League 1, he starts when he's fit for me.

[overtonterrierspirit]

Nov 13, 2024 13:56:35 GMT 1 Terrier Ramone said:

I don't think Chapman has let us down at all, & I'd say he is our No 2 gk now but, for me, it's a no brainer, an on form Nicholls is far too good for League 1, he starts when he's fit for me.

Agree.
I’d argue that Nicholls has a “presence “ in goal.
He’s also vocal, an organiser and a motivator.
Plus, I’m missing enjoying his time wasting abilities 😀

[Big Ern]

Nov 13, 2024 14:32:19 GMT 1 overtonterrierspirit said:

Nov 13, 2024 13:56:35 GMT 1 Terrier Ramone said:

I don't think Chapman has let us down at all, & I'd say he is our No 2 gk now but, for me, it's a no brainer, an on form Nicholls is far too good for League 1, he starts when he's fit for me.

Agree.
I’d argue that Nicholls has a “presence “ in goal.
He’s also vocal, an organiser and a motivator.
Plus, I’m missing enjoying his time wasting abilities 😀

When the ball is played to the goalkeepers feet (which is often) I feel far more nervous with Nicholls in goal than I do with Chapman. However when it comes to shot stopping and command of the area it's Nicholls every time for me. It's a pity that we can't merge them both together.

[Gag_N_Bone_Man (Destabiliser)]

Suspect Nicholls may be off in January. Chapman will be #1 for the rest of the season if so.

[kennyk2]

His distribution was superb last night.

[tepidterrier]

My impression so far is that he's a pretty poor shot stopper, great distribution and composure with the ball at his feet, everything else average.

If Nicholls wants out, he'll do for now. Makes the sale of Bilokapic last year look a bit silly though, they're the same age and Bilo looked like a slightly superior version of Chapman based on what I saw of him.