Emi Martinez

[The Charmer]

I don’t think he’s been quite as good this season but I’d still have him over anyone else.
Best keeper we’ve had for donkey’s years.

Donkey's ears. Rhyming slang.

Well, well, well  -  I never knew that.

That would make sense and, as with alot of rhyming slang, why people only say the first word.

" He's the best keeper we've had for Donkey's  . . .  "

TIL

[rob_bridge]

As well as being a brilliant shot stopper, his distribution up field is amazing. The accuracy of his long kicks is superb.

I know the game has moved on eons in this space over the last 7 or 8 years but that is what sets him apart from so many others.
Good analysis by Redknapp and Dion last night to that point

[Dave]

It's also to his credit, as I remember a fair bit of talk when Emery joined us was about how he and Emi didn't get on, and how he booted him out of Arsenal because he was unhappy with how poor his distribution was.

And while that was probably bollocks - I think that it's fair to say that Emi's far better at that stuff now than he was when he was doing it under Smith and Gerrard.

[brontebilly]

That perma tanned clown on the Newcastle bench really should have addressed things tactically though. Martinez distribution was excellent as was Watkins movement but the gaps were so big between the Newcastle midfield and defence. Ollie had so much ground to run into and Martinez had big targets to put the passes through.

I thought Martinez hid on his line a bit for their goal. At his best he gets to that cross and sends their forward into next week. Konsa plays him onside to start with on the first ball and Maatsen should be stronger at back post. But Martinez at his best clears house at the back post. Just a small bit off his best this season.