Written by Daniel Blazer for Footballfancast.com: Hero and Villain, it is a fine line in football but it is the finest of lines for a goalkeeper. What looks destined to be a world class save can easily become a costly howler. There isn’t a goalkeeper that knows this better than Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. After a less than impressive start to his Lilywhites career, the Brazilian looked to have turned a corner and be establishing himself as a Spurs number one for years to come, however, in recent months the costly errors have crept back into the former PSV man’s game. Where would Spurs find themselves in the League and Europe if it weren’t for a few costly clangers from their keeper?
1- In the most recent hotly contested North London Derby, in which Tottenham heroically came back from two goals down to prevent Arsenal claiming the bragging rights until the next fixture between the two, but could the game have been more profitable for Spurs if Gomes hadn’t let Samir Nasri score? The ball was straight down his throat, in the middle of the goal; no keeper should be beaten by a shot in that position. Nasri’s goal made it 2-1 to the Gunners; at 1-1 Spurs had every chance of going on to win the game. Points cost: 2
2- Real Madrid second leg- ok, so I know Spurs were 4-0 down from the first leg, but stranger things have happened, especially for Spurs who appear to be the masters of coming back when defeat appears the only option; but as Gomes let Ronaldo’s tame effort in, Spurs’ European dream was over, for this season at least.
3- Whether it was a goal or not, the fact of the matter is Gomes made the ultimate goalkeeping clanger, allowing the ball to go through his body and roll into the goal. The Lampard ‘goal’ was crucial in swinging the tie in Chelsea’s favour, as Tottenham were about to enter their half time team talk against their London rivals 1-0 up, but this body blow on the stroke of half time allowed Chelsea into the game and ultimately costed Spurs a minimum of a point. Points cost: 1-3
4- One of the most bizarre and controversial goals you are ever likely to see in the Premier League was scored by Nani, when Spurs visited Old Trafford this season. Was it a penalty? Was it handball? Was it a free kick? Was it unsportsmanlike behaviour? One thing is for certain, Gomes’ stupidity to place the ball down without hearing a whistle cost Spurs a potential point, maybe even three. Points cost: 1
5- Perhaps Gomes is actually on Chelsea’s payroll, because the first time the two sides met this season Gomes also cost Spurs dearly. 1-0 up against the reigning Champions with twenty minutes to go and Gomes allowed Drogba’s shot to bobble over the line (although he did later redeem himself with a last minute penalty save), but ultimately Gomes cost Spurs two points. Points cost 2
Admittedly it is all ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’, and Gomes hasn’t single handedly derailed Spurs’ Champions League qualification dreams, but how vital could an extra seven points or so could have been to the Lilywhites European aspirations? As the current Premier League table shows: incredibly vital.
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Can you do a count up and publish an article on how many points Gomes has won with his saves. Very easy to remember the mistakes goalkeepers make, not easy to remember the fingertip saves, the blocks or the fast reaction moves that kept Spurs level or ahead in games. Similarly you could ask why has he had so many shots to save and corners to cover – this season Spurs are playing an attacking game which leaves us open at the back. Not Gomes’ fault either. If the forwards had scored some of their easier chances then Gomes’ errors would be forgotten. So… IF the defence hadnt been makeshift for large parts of the season and IF we had played a more defensive midfield and IF the forwards had scored some of their easy misses then Spurs could be top of the league. Life isnt like that though. There will also be IFs to look back on. It is not just Gomes that is to blame for the TEAM not performing well in the last couple of months.
Stick with him- you forget this man was one of the most successful keepers in Dutch football with an incredible clean sheet ratio. He has taken a lot of shit€ over his blunders, but what about the multi millions spent on a forward line that couldn’t hit a bulls ars€ with a banjo?
What about a consistent back 4? what about leaving the blame off Gomez and putting it where it should lie- poor team performances when it mattered. 1 win in what 11 matches- cant be all Gomez.
Luka the man is a legend. I blame the strikers for not scoring. Problem is with tottenham is they win together, but not lose together. They blame Gomes . I no him personally. In my mind they should buy some decent strikers. Lay of the man. He could be Brazils number 1 in 2014.
I agree entirely this goalkeeper is not in the same league as his forunners Pat Jennings and Ted Ditchburn to name just two, would be horrified at the lack of ability of this guy to catch and hold on to the ball. Everytime there is cross I wonder if he is up to it. Get rid ASAP!!!
How about the points that Defoe, Pav and Crouch have failed to win us? They have 15 goals between them. I remember when JD would get us 15-20 on his own!
Well done Henri, on remembering last season, the one and only season that Defoe got more than 15 premier league goals!!!
IN DEFENCE OF GOMES. Agree that not all of his doings are accountable for Spurs demise. It was always evident that we needed to get another stopper. He was never rotated to give the other two a chance to make his position competitive.The rule is to make players available to enable them to compete for their positions ( a matter of survival of the fittest).
I’ve always stuck up for Gomes. No more. We can’t go on like this.
I’m sorry but I have to say that after careful consideration, Gomes has to make way for another keeper. He is capable of pulling off excellent acrobatic saves but seems to go into panic mode whenever confronted by goal scoring players namely Drogba, Lampard, Ronaldo just to name but a few whom have profited from his lates bout of mistakes. Their efforts on goal were very savable indeed from a competent keeper and like everyone else totally dumbfounded by Gomes gaffs. Also extremly suspect under high balls crossed into the box. I just do not trust him at all and can only guess what the defenders infront of him must be thinking. There are those who feel that it isnt all Gonmez’s fault and the forwards should shoulder the blame for not scoring any goals but he is paid big money to keep goal for Spurs and as a result, has to shoulder the blame alone in this instance. Perhaps he needs to take an eye test.
Sorry but agree with this article. I’ve always backed him as he is truly an exceptional shot stopper and some of his saves over the last 2 seasons have been the best you’re gonna see. However…….. what a clown. How is it that when the ball is hit at him he can’t decide to catch and hold onto the ball. In my opinion he is scared. Enough is enough.The problem is now recruiting a top class keeper who is ok with no champions league football.
He does make his mistakes, but I maintan the disposition that it is merely because he has a lot of work to do in games.
But talking the blunders, two of those mentioned were refereeing errors as well. One was when the team was 4-0 down.. That Nasri goal is a toughie, he should have done better but then again the ball literally comes through 3 players right before it shoots past him. Very hard to react to such shots that the defenders block you from.
There was also the Inter “blunder” where he got sent off. But I think these are the sort of errors that need to be taken lightly IMO. I mean Spurs were playing a bit above their status in most of those matches, while mistakes in them are not free, its a bit harsh to hang someone out to dry for them. By which I mean Spurs have only been at this level for one year, coming up and saying this guy is not good enough when the team is testing new waters is a very risky venture.
Unfortunately as a member of the netminders brotherhood, I have to disagree with you. Where are we going to get a keeper? City wont sell Given to us, the gooners and united will also be in the market for a keeper.
Who would you replace him with so? Bring back Robinson?- he had his fair share of blunders as well. Dont forget Gomez played pretty much all season (and a full CL campaign)without cover. Yes he had a few disasters, but as has been said, only for him, we would have drawn or lost a hell of a lot more. Keepers have to be confident- working the arc,covering corners, going for a ball where there is every chance of injury. he needs more time, more coaching and more encouragement. despite his howlers, hi is still, I believe, a great keeper, and given the chance, could be one of the greatest we ever had. I am old enough to remember some of the greats, but also the wasters. he is in the former, not the latter.
COYS
it doeasn’t matter if it was a ref mistake cos as it stands he still shouldn’t of put himself in those positions. being a keeper myself even with a lack of confidence he should still be able to catch a ball seriously its not that difficult. gomes out. sorry had enough of his errors.
now make a tally of how many times he has come up with brilliant saves and saved spurs on the day.
spot on britter
I have to agree with those who feel we need to sign a new keeper. Gomes to be fair to him has in the past earned us precious points with good saves but isnt that his job as a goalie to do the best he possibly can in keeping balls entering the goal. The fact is gomes has let too many soft goals in and whatever the outcome now be it if he makes some world class saves in the forthcoming games it still cannot excuse the errors made. The 4th goal in the 1st leg against madrid could have been stopped as well as in the return leg from ronaldo. The goal against arsenal from nasri was poor too as well as the one against chelsea. Not only that but didnt gomes fumble a certain drogba goal in at the lane this season which was straight at him. Hence you could argue that he cost us 5 points against chelsea this season. In conclusion we need a new keeper and striker(s)
It should also be noted Gomes made a mistake against Inter Milan where he ran off his line like a nutter and got sent off we lost 4-3
Or Nasris goal at the emirates where Gomes failed to hold it and Nasri scored from the byline.
Or the penalty given to Chelsea, ok he saved it but still a joke foul.
He was also terrible in our 4-0 loss to Fulham, our 3-3 draw at Wolves and our 3-1 defeat to Blackpool…..
All of you are sat here saying hes had no cover, who is on the bench every game, Cudicini, he is also world class imo.