Two goalkeepers who graced the Premier League with distinction have been discussing Nottingham Forest number one Matz Sels.
The stopper has established himself as the number one custodian since signing from Strasbourg in January for a small sum.
Last season saw Forest struggle when it came to goalkeepers, with neither Matt Turner nor Odysseas Vlachodimos convincing either Steve Cooper or Nuno Espirito Santo.
That prompted Forest to dip into the transfer market during the January window, with Sels the man who came in and instantly became the number one.
In fairness he did a job last season, although at 32-years-old, it was easy to see why Forest tried to sign Liverpool stopper Caoimhin Kelleher this summer.
Yesterday, he was between the posts again as Forest drew 2-2 with Brighton and his performance has come in for some critique.
Joe Hart and Shay Given agree on Forest star Matz Sels
The analysis on Sels was all around Danny Welbeck’s goal scored directly from a free-kick that gave Brighton the advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Forest had played their part in the first half and probably deserved to be at the very least level with the hosts as the half-time kettle was being boiled.
Instead, Welbeck’s free-kick fired the Seagulls in front and Sels was left in the firing line for his efforts.
Joe Hart told SuperSport: “Gibbs-White is off the wall so if I’m the goalkeeper there I’m lining up Gibbs-White to protect the far post. You can only put yourself in a position to save what’s in and around you and sometimes you’re beaten by something brilliant. That one is in the top corner but I still think with it being a yard inside, he’s struggling with his position.
“If you’re going to put that wall and the man behind it, you do put a lot of trust in your wall. I’d like to see him a little bit more balanced thinking if he does take the easier option and go the side he actually did because his weight is on his right foot. It’s a solid free-kick though.”
Shay Given was also a quality goalkeeper for a number of clubs and a regular with the Republic of Ireland during his career.
He shared Hart’s view regarding how Sels set up the wall during yesterday’s match with Brighton.
Given said on Match of the Day 2: “I think Matz Sels will be disappointed. It’s the goalkeeper’s side. I think Sels should be a yard to his left, that’s his side of the goal, the ball shouldn’t be going in that side of the goal. You can see Sels looking to his right as well. It’s not a rocket from Welbeck, it’s pretty straightforward.”
Carlos Miguel is now breathing down the neck of Sels
Forest have two decent goalkeepers to choose from and Miguel must surely be getting close to earning his first Premier League start.
Sels hasn’t made any glaring errors but this one yesterday was one that he has to take the flak for.
For example, had Matt Turner made a mistake that was so fundamental for a Premier League goalkeeper, the criticism would have been barbaric.
Sels is a safe pair of hands but the question is whether he’s the man to truly take Forest to the next level this season.
He did actually make a brilliant point-blank stop to deny Welbeck just after half-time but it’s hard to forget this error in the first half.
Forest now have quality in every corner of the dressing room. As a result, it will be fascinating to see whether Nuno Espirito Santo has it on his mind to make a change with his goalkeepers or not.
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