With the January transfer window now closed, the main goalkeeper transfer to discuss is that of Wayne Hennessey signing with Crystal Palace. With Pulis taking over the helm at the South London club, there were hints that a goalkeeper would be on the way. Added to when Hennessey refused to play, which would have affected his playing chances (cup games etc.) otherwise; a clear indication of him wanting to push through a transfer request. Pulis is said to want a younger, taller goalkeeper: Hennessey is 6 foot 6, fitting the bill of the current English agents wish list (which is not a true indicator of ability, but I'll take the time to bitch about that some other time). Which makes him 5 feet taller than Speroni. And Hennessey has the advantage of international experience and playing time, which Speroni doesn't, although why he never got much consideration from Argentinian selectors is beyond me.
Ironically why Butland wasn't an option, is unknown, with Pulis' Stoke connections and availability. Butland's need for first team football (which is better than benching if he honestly want to improve) is crucial if he wants to go places at this point in his career, and if he wants to get on that plane to , but that's moving away from this write-up! He also has great upside; he is young, up for it, wants to prove himself and plays with an intensity unmatched in the Prem atm, with his desire on show in his athleticism and triple save making attempts when handed the chance to play for Stoke.
So Pulis is left with this: a steady, consistent goalkeeper who he can trust, and a goalkeeper of international quality, but incredibly rusty and questions over his ability. Not to say that it is impossible (I think impossible's nothing, although will probably get laughed at for saying so!), but this is season defining for Palace, and career defining for the players in question. If Hennessey messes up Palace are affected and Pulis has messed up in choosing him over Speroni without even "bedding him in" so that Hennessey gets comfortable, which is incredibly important for confidence; the essential part to goalkeeping.
Ironically why Butland wasn't an option, is unknown, with Pulis' Stoke connections and availability. Butland's need for first team football (which is better than benching if he honestly want to improve) is crucial if he wants to go places at this point in his career, and if he wants to get on that plane to , but that's moving away from this write-up! He also has great upside; he is young, up for it, wants to prove himself and plays with an intensity unmatched in the Prem atm, with his desire on show in his athleticism and triple save making attempts when handed the chance to play for Stoke.
So Pulis is left with this: a steady, consistent goalkeeper who he can trust, and a goalkeeper of international quality, but incredibly rusty and questions over his ability. Not to say that it is impossible (I think impossible's nothing, although will probably get laughed at for saying so!), but this is season defining for Palace, and career defining for the players in question. If Hennessey messes up Palace are affected and Pulis has messed up in choosing him over Speroni without even "bedding him in" so that Hennessey gets comfortable, which is incredibly important for confidence; the essential part to goalkeeping.
It's a harsh blow on Speroni who has shown loyalty and dedication to help Palace climb back into the Premiership, as well the ability shown in his performances this season, where other than pulling off some cracking saves such as against Tottenham in the first few minutes in his first game of the season when it really mattered as they could have taken the crucial lead so early, he has not been at fault in his displays so far this season. So Hennessey going straight in for the match against Arsenal today and in fairness is not the way AVB handled Lloris and is unfair on Speroni because he has no reason to do so playing wise. Pulis is being cut throat, he wants results straight away: Palace need points to stay up, but can he be certain he'll get them? Hennessey has recovered from major surgery and not seen playing time behind Ikeme, whilst being out of the speed and power of the Premier league for quite a while, versus Speroni being "up to speed" with everything.
Pulis wants immediate results and also needs to balance planning for the future. And if they do, he needs a Premier League standard goalkeeper that can be more than consistent at this level, but one of the best in the league, so they can progress up the table: see Krul and Vorm as examples. With this in mind, it's easy to see how the deal was made at a crucial time like this. Speroni will soon be a free agent and going the other side of 30 at 34, so it's easy to deal with this now than wait and see and get someone in over the summer.
But take this into consideration: has Hennessey still got it? If he cannot produce the results Pulis wants, then he'll be out the door as well. If Palace want to go up the table, then yes, then need a star in goal, but for now they need to focus on continuing their good run of form.
But take this into consideration: has Hennessey still got it? If he cannot produce the results Pulis wants, then he'll be out the door as well. If Palace want to go up the table, then yes, then need a star in goal, but for now they need to focus on continuing their good run of form.
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