--- title: "Gazzaniga vs Stekelenburg: Who is the better option?" canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/12/23/gazzaniga-vs-stekelenburg-better-option/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Luke Osman" section: "Feature Writers" published: "2015-12-23T14:19:06Z" modified: "2015-12-23T14:19:06Z" --- # Gazzaniga vs Stekelenburg: Who is the better option? Over the last few weeks, it has been no secret that Southampton have found themselves in a bit of a rut; falling to defeat five times in their last six games. Although their lack of killer instinct has been clear for everyone to see with the normally-dangerous attacking trio of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Sadio Mane misfiring, a key problem has lied on the other side of the pitch. Ever since the injury to Fraser Forster last April, Southampton have found that keeping the goals out has been harder than it first seemed. With the excellent defensive structure last season that featured Forster, Nathaniel Clyne, Toby Alderweireld, Jose Fonte and Ryan Bertrand, clean sheets came easily and goals conceded were a rarity. However, eight months on, Saints find themselves struggling with teams opening them up on too many occasions for manager Ronald Koeman’s liking. Changes were needed in the summer, with the departure of Clyne, Alderweireld and of course the injury to Forster, however the main question is still underlying; have Southampton replaced well enough? ![Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.cohttps//media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/12/464763630.jpg) When Forster returns from his injury, he will have half of a new defence, with Cedric Soares at right-back and the impressive Virgil van Dijk ahead of him. However, Saints have found the league to be much harder this season, leaving them in 12th place. Last season, Koeman’s side had conceded just 13 goals at this stage of the campaign; much different to the stat in which Saints find themselves occupying themselves with 17 games played. So far, Southampton have conceded 21 goals in the Premier League after a quite simply underwhelming first half to the season. Admittedly, a goalkeeper can not be blamed solely for his side’s lack of clean sheets and defensive responsibilities, however, they are the last line of defence in a team. Maarten Stekelenburg was signed for the full season on loan in the summer to deputise for the injured Fraser Forster, however he has not quite had the same dominant effect as the England international had last season. The 33-year-old Dutchman has started 14 of Southampton’s 17 league games so far this season, keeping just five clean sheets. For a goalkeeper, it is crucial that the defence in front of you has total confidence and you are able to command the players in front of you with assertion and intent; something that Stekelenburg appears to struggle with. ![Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.cohttps//media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/12/487892260.jpg) The experienced Netherlands international came to Southampton with the intentions of revitalising his career after a spell on the bench for both Fulham and Monaco in the last couple of years, but has found first-team football to be a regular fixture under Ronald Koeman. It seems as though for Stekelenburg, the simple parts of goalkeeping are not a problem. His handling, kicking and presence are all good assets that he possesses, however that is about it for the ageing Dutchman. In his last game before picking up a toe injury, Stekelenburg got very simply ripped apart. Southampton fell to a 6-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Capital One Cup quarter final and the former-Roma man found himself to be considered responsible for a fair share of the goals. Beaten at his near post on several occasions, it all fell apart for Stekelenburg before a seemingly-needed break was encountered as a result of a minor injury – step up, Paulo Gazzaniga. As a result of Stekelenburg’s injury, boss Ronald Koeman was left with two options – to play the inexperienced Paulo Gazzaniga or the heavily-experienced Kelvin Davis. Koeman, being the manager that he is, displayed faith and understanding in Gazzaniga and started him ahead of club captain Davis against Crystal Palace. As the Palace match came around, Southampton were well in the swing of a bad run of form, meaning that it was an even bigger opportunity for Gazzaniga to impress many and to prove his doubters wrong; he duly delivered. Gazzaniga had a simply outstanding game between the sticks for Saints, saving them on numerous occasions and keeping out the vast majority of Palace’s efforts on goal. Despite Southampton losing the game 1-0, Gazzaniga made five superb reflex saves to keep his side in it and it is not hard to say that with Stekelenburg in goal, the scoreline would have been much worse. However, Southampton still came away from the game with no points, yet again. The five-man defence that Koeman started with proved to be no help for Gazzaniga in goal, as Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye drifted into the six-yard box to poke home from Yannick Bolasie’s low cross, leaving Gazzaniga no chance. ![Tom Dulat/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.cohttps//media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/12/5019872721.jpg) Although Saints did not pick up a result, Koeman rightly kept the faith in Paulo Gazzaniga for their next game against Tottenham. It was yet another shambolic defensive performance for Southampton as they slumped to a sixth consecutive game without a victory, as Spurs swept aside Koeman’s team with a 2-0 win. Despite Southampton making five attempted challenges, as pathetic as they were, on Harry Kane, the England international steamed forward to convert a one-on-one against the helpless Gazzaniga. Then, more criminal defending followed minutes later as no-one prevented Kyle Walker from picking out Dele Alli at the back post to make it 2-0. If a defence is not giving the goalkeeper enough support and cover, there is always going to be one result; an opposition goal frenzy. Gazzaniga in these two games did show, however, that he has the makings of a very good goalkeeper as his reflexes, confidence and handling seem to be improving as he gets older. One factor that Southampton supporters may have noticed is that Gazzaniga’s performances seem to dip when playing at St. Mary’s and that the Argentinian ‘keeper appears to lack confidence in front of his home fans; a bizarre situation to find yourself in. However, a reason for this could be that as a result of Gazzaniga’s previous performances in a Saints shirt not living up to the expectations and the standards that may have been required, the home supporters at St. Mary’s appear to have lost all confidence in the 23-year-old. With Stekelenburg now back to full fitness and Gazzaniga waiting in the wings, Ronald Koeman has a dilemma ahead of Southampton’s Boxing Day fixture against second placed Arsenal at home. Gazzaniga will feel as though he is deserving of another chance in goal for the Saints, however Koeman may revert back to his usual first-choice ‘keeper in the form of Stekelenburg. Who would you like to see start against the Gunners?