Marcus Top of the Stops

[Row Z Royal]

Marcus is currently the best keeper in the Premier League, according to the Actim Stats

Marcus placed 17th overall, with Nicky Shorey 21st in the Top 100.

Honourable mentions go out to Doyler, Ivar, Harps, Leroy and Sidders who are placed 51st, 75th, 85th, 93rd and 96th respectively.

[Arthur Pint]

Best keeper at kicking the ball out for throw-ins from goal kicks?

[Row Z Royal]

Sadly that's not one of the assessment criteria, otherwise he'd have the golden gloves already.

[Harold]

is that because he's had more shots to save than any other keeper?

[noise]

No, it's because of the amazing effort put in down the other side of the pitch.

[Harps stay sharp]

Well done Marcus.

It amazes me players that seem to get the most stick on here ie. Marcus & Harps are the ones obviously playing at the top of their game.

[VOR]

Well done Marcus.

It amazes me players that seem to get the most stick on here ie. Marcus & Harps are the ones obviously playing at the top of their game.

Spot on, mate. We are an attacking side who for a top half team have let in a fair number of goals so for Marcus to get this rating is quite something. He has made a few mistakes but who hasn't? OK, his kicking is poor but few keepers can match his ability to launch attack from defence with a strong, accurate throw.

Some of the posters on this site seem to have nothing better to do than think up stuff to whinge about. We are 8th in the table - ENJOY!

[Big Ern]

Marcus is currently the best keeper in the Premier League, according to the Actim Stats

I refuse to take these Actim stats seriously after they rated Frank Lampard as one of the best midfielders at the World Cup.

[Stranded]

And the Actim Stats mean bugger all.

[Huntley & Palmer]

What a load of balls

[Behindu]

I'll take my usual stance and rubbish anything, unless it is in favour of the Royals.

Bear in mind this is only football, not real life, so it's OK to be very selective about what we take notice of.

Well done Marcus !

[RG30]

So they have him as the best keeper in the Premiership this season, is that a fair assesment? Absolutely not. Got nothing against him but they mean nothing to me and 1 of the reason his are bound to be so high is the open attractive football we play, we leave ourselves vunerable at the back.

[Harps stay sharp]

1 of the reason his are bound to be so high is the open attractive football we play, we leave ourselves vunerable at the back.

If we didn't have such a good 'keeper, would we be able to play our attacking style to such great effect? Surely that is part of our game and so far this season it's worked a treat.

[Huntley & Palmer]

We'd certainly keep the ball in play more

[Cookie]

Marcus is currently the best keeper in the Premier League, according to the Actim Stats

Marcus placed 17th overall, with Nicky Shorey 21st in the Top 100.

Honourable mentions go out to Doyler, Ivar, Harps, Leroy and Sidders who are placed 51st, 75th, 85th, 93rd and 96th respectively.

He's in Actim Team of the Season - result.
Eat your heart out José

USA, USA, USA

[John Madejski's Wallet]

few keepers can match his ability to launch attack from defence with a strong, accurate throw.

David James gave Marcus a lesson in throwing last week.

As the season has gone on his throwing has got less frequent. When he collects the ball he holds on to it and doesnt even look to the wings to even think about throwing it. Its usually after getting a lot of shouting from players/fans that he even thinks about it. He's missed a lot of opportunities to let Little free on the right

James on the other hand was looking to throw as soon as the ball was in his hand

Not sure why Marcus isnt looking to throw as often as he used to. As you say, he's very effective with his throws. He must have been told to look for the kick instead

[From Despair To Where?]

More proof of the adage "lies, damn lies and statictics". Whilst the Actim rating give an indicator of a player's involvement game to game, I don't take them at all seriously as an indicator of who's performance is the best.

This is not meant as slagging off Marcus in any way but he is not the best keeper in the division, not by a long way. He's put in some excellent performances this season. He's also put in his fair share of downright rank ones as well.

20 years ago, Actim would have told you that Mark Whitlock made 15 headed clearances a game. What it wouldn't tell you is that every one landed at the feet of an attacker with a clear run on goal and that Whitlock had the pace and agility of a supertanker.

[Millsy]

Might not reliably suggest he's teh best keepr in the league, but you can be pretty sure he's not one of the poorer ones.

He's clearly a solid keeper.

[kingthor]

He is a great keeper who has faced a lot of shots this season and held up strong. I wonder if he is not throwing because of a shoulder injury.

[Rich@Eaststand]

He is a great keeper who has faced a lot of shots this season and held up strong. I wonder if he is not throwing because of a shoulder injury.

Maybe he keeps dropping the ball because he has a hand injury?!

I think it's pretty obvious that Marcus isn't the best keeper in the league and I don't think he's had a good season. However, he has looked a whole lot better over the past month and a bit, coinciding with Federici putting some pressure on him.