Haikin Released (Confirmed)

[Port Said Red]

I thought Max slipped under his recent standards today, his distribution in particular took a step back. We need to see what Nikita Haikin can offer before the end of this season really, so I think the opportunity is there to give him a couple of games.

[GrahamC]

I rather got the impression we were shocked how rusty he was when signed & don’t think his only appearance for the 21s was particularly great, either.

Think we are forming an opinion of him as the weeks go by, I doubt very much he’ll face Reading but if he doesn’t get a chance before the season ends I doubt we’ll offer him anything.

[Pezo]

I would prefer we didn't go down the route of just trying players in matches because fans think that a player that hasn't played might be better than a player that generally has had a good season.

Hopefully Nige judges who's in the side based on seeing what they can do everyday.

[Alex_BCFC]

11 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I thought Max slipped under his recent standards today, his distribution in particular took a step back. We need to see what Nikita Haikin can offer before the end of this season really, so I think the opportunity is there to give him a couple of games.

Yep wouldn’t be against that. Sadly we have little options elsewhere as fair few others I’d like to rest/drop too. 

[ChippenhamRed]

15 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I thought Max slipped under his recent standards today, his distribution in particular took a step back. We need to see what Nikita Haikin can offer before the end of this season really, so I think the opportunity is there to give him a couple of games.

His “recent standards” include a spill at Preston and being beaten tamely at his near post against Cardiff. So I’m not sure you can frame it as an issue exclusive to today.

I was happy enough for Max to be our number one, but I’m starting to worry. The error rate is concerning.

[Tom]

While I agree Max deserved a new contract, I don't think he deserved one until 2026 based on this season. Lets hope that doesn't come to bite us, in moving him on.

Edited March 19, 2023 by Tom

[Loosey Boy]

Agree having there today @Port Said Red - Max definitely wasn’t his normal self today in a number of ways

Having said that, Bajic seems to be doing rather well, out on loan….U21 call up and all that - perhaps he will/could be our number one next season?

[winsaw]

56 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I thought Max slipped under his recent standards today, his distribution in particular took a step back. We need to see what Nikita Haikin can offer before the end of this season really, so I think the opportunity is there to give him a couple of games.

Don't see Haikin as here for anything more than cover at the moment,

basted on the way he's playing in France at the moment I would expect Bajic to be looked at as possible number one next season, he seams to have a bit more about him than Max,

[Gazred]

All depends on if he's likely to be here next season. If not, don't bother.

Could well be in for a senior keeper in the summer.

[Port Said Red]

16 minutes ago, Gazred said:

All depends on if he's likely to be here next season. If not, don't bother.

Could well be in for a senior keeper in the summer.

Well we don't know if he stays or not unless we get a look at him, and he needs to have a hope of getting games.

[Gazred]

Just now, Port Said Red said:

Well we don't know if he stays or not unless we get a look at him, and he needs to have a hope of getting games.

I know what you mean but he could already be seen as only good enough as back up.

More than happy if he is considered good enough and stays on, it's an easy signing in what could be a busy summer.

[Fordy62]

1 hour ago, ChippenhamRed said:

His “recent standards” include a spill at Preston and being beaten tamely at his near post against Cardiff. So I’m not sure you can frame it as an issue exclusive to today.

I was happy enough for Max to be our number one, but I’m starting to worry. The error rate is concerning.

Agreed. I tend to think that keepers at our level are pretty much of a muchness at keeping. The difference comes in error rate. And When Max is good, he’s very good. But I think there are a few too many errors in there for my liking. 

[Port Said Red]

5 minutes ago, Gazred said:

I know what you mean but he could already be seen as only good enough as back up.

More than happy if he is considered good enough and stays on, it's an easy signing in what could be a busy summer.

On experience alone that seems unlikely, Europa League football and in the Russian squad during WC qualifying games, at 27 he should be in his prime.

[Gazred]

2 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

On experience alone that seems unlikely, Europa League football and in the Russian squad during WC qualifying games, at 27 he should be in his prime.

Definitely some pedigree there. No evidence to suggest he couldn't do the business for us.

Guess we just have to wait and see if he gets some mins between now and the season end. Will surely go some way to giving us an idea what NP wants to do.

[Redrascal2]

Well if he is above average he would surely be pushing O'Leary for his place. Give him a run in the team and let's see.

[Davefevs]

I don’t think Max’s standards have slipped.  Nige not making Max culpable today.

I also think we play our strongest side possible until the end of the season.  Until I see Haikin, then Max is no1…and I’m not sure I’m gonna see Haikin unless Max’s form drops off a cliff or he gets injured.

[GrahamC]

1 hour ago, winsaw said:

Don't see Haikin as here for anything more than cover at the moment,

basted on the way he's playing in France at the moment I would expect Bajic to be looked at as possible number one next season, he seams to have a bit more about him than Max,

Interested to know what you’re basing Bajic “doing well” on.

He’s played 9 games in the French second division (a very poor standard) & kept one clean sheet, let in 2 yesterday v Caen.

He might come back to compete but nothing so far suggests he’ll be first choice.

[McNasty Filth]

All these p****s coming on here just looking for a scapegoat and someone to blame.

Max is the least of our problems, but because he kicks the ball out of play a couple of times he's destined for the bin. Since our upturn he's been one of our best players and got us out of jail or stopped an absolute mullering on 3 or 4 occasions like Luton just gone, but hey people just to remember the mistake like Preston. I really do wonder whether people are watching all these games, imo don't think they are!!

[Davefevs]

33 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

One error and they're all out of the woodwork again 

Laughable. (Not aimed at the OP, who makes a fair enough point).

What error?

My post on OSIB WhatsApp group.

Lo and behold, Nige said pretty much the same post match.

Edited March 19, 2023 by Davefevs

[Mr Chappers]

So I take it Max is the latest scapegoat, despite some pretty decent performances this season?

[Port Said Red]

29 minutes ago, Mr Chappers said:

So I take it Max is the latest scapegoat, despite some pretty decent performances this season?

So I take it you didn't bother reading my initial post. 

[A Horse With No Name]

32 minutes ago, Mr Chappers said:

So I take it Max is the latest scapegoat, despite some pretty decent performances this season?

No, still Cornick

[Charlie BCFC]

7 hours ago, ChippenhamRed said:

His “recent standards” include a spill at Preston and being beaten tamely at his near post against Cardiff. So I’m not sure you can frame it as an issue exclusive to today.

I was happy enough for Max to be our number one, but I’m starting to worry. The error rate is concerning.

Being beaten tamely at his near post v Cardiff is very harsh not just on Max but the goal scorer. Very good strike drilled on the floor

[ChippenhamRed]

5 hours ago, jaydee=inspiration said:

All these p****s coming on here just looking for a scapegoat and someone to blame.

Max is the least of our problems, but because he kicks the ball out of play a couple of times he's destined for the bin. Since our upturn he's been one of our best players and got us out of jail or stopped an absolute mullering on 3 or 4 occasions like Luton just gone, but hey people just to remember the mistake like Preston. I really do wonder whether people are watching all these games, imo don't think they are!!

Until your childish contribution, the thread has been a perfectly reasonable discussion.

Max has had some very good games for us but that doesn’t make it any less true to observe that he has made a number of critical errors recently. And it’s not unreasonable to express concern about the rate of those errors.

Believe it or not, some of us are mature enough to have a grown up conversation about the merits of one player or another with no intent to “look for a scapegoat or someone to blame”.

If you can’t handle a nuanced conversation about a player that may - shock horror! - include some reasonable criticism, maybe try Facebook or something.

[Port Said Red]

14 hours ago, Davefevs said:

I don’t think Max’s standards have slipped.  Nige not making Max culpable today.

I also think we play our strongest side possible until the end of the season.  Until I see Haikin, then Max is no1…and I’m not sure I’m gonna see Haikin unless Max’s form drops off a cliff or he gets injured.

I guess my point is that we have a handful of games left where our only probable objective is to achieve more points than last season to show improvement. I think you, I and many others would like to see the kids get minutes to prove themselves, shouldn't Haikin get the chance to do the same? 

He's taking a bit of a risk to come here and show he can play in England, I think it would be disappointing for him to not even get on the pitch.

[TommyD68]

What a fickle sport football is, Max was motm only a few days ago at Luton and stopped it from potentially being an embarrassing result at Luton. That’s not the first time he’s managed to save it from being an embarrassing score line either.. I think the short answer here is no we won’t be seeing Haikin anytime soon, like others have said unless Max picks up an injury Max is our deserved number one moving forward and will quite literally have the no1 shirt next season. 

[Port Said Red]

21 minutes ago, TommyD68 said:

What a fickle sport football is, Max was motm only a few days ago at Luton and stopped it from potentially being an embarrassing result at Luton. That’s not the first time he’s managed to save it from being an embarrassing score line either.. I think the short answer here is no we won’t be seeing Haikin anytime soon, like others have said unless Max picks up an injury Max is our deserved number one moving forward and will quite literally have the no1 shirt next season. 

I am not suggesting that Max should be dumped, we rest outfield players, why not goalkeepers. If it was earlier in the season, we could have used Haikin in early rounds of a cup competition, as we have done with other keepers in the past, including Max. We don't have that luxury, but we do have a goalkeeper keen to prove himself, who might save us a lot of time and money if he shows he is good enough.

I don't know why some posters are determined to see this as a criticism of Max.

[Oizys]

8 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

I am not suggesting that Max should be dumped, we rest outfield players, why not goalkeepers. If it was earlier in the season, we could have used Haikin in early rounds of a cup competition, as we have done with other keepers in the past, including Max. We don't have that luxury, but we do have a goalkeeper keen to prove himself, who might save us a lot of time and money if he shows he is good enough.

I don't know why some posters are determined to see this as a criticism of Max.

I think the reason people are jumping on your original post is because it was literally advocating dropping him after one match where he's (in your eyes - I didn't see the match) slipped below his normal standards.  Outfield players get rested based on fitness and stamina - not something that affects keepers, so any change would be Max being dropped, not rested.  

Haikin ideally would be used in the U23's and if he is looking head and shoulders above anyone at that level then we possibly look to bring him in to, as you say, see where he is in terms of Championship readiness.  I would be reluctant to do that until we're mathematically safe, however.

As for Max being made a scapegoat, I don't see that as being the case, however it's undeniable that his distribution when going long has gotten pretty poor, and rightly draws comparisons with Frankie Fielding.  Other than that I would say that in my opinion the difference in Max between Bentley's last match (Brum away) and today shows a massive improvement in confidence and a command of his area.  The latter draws from the former, but he was decidedly shaky further on, however has really grown into a decent Championship keeper.  One to take us to the next level?  Possibly not, but if he continues the upward trajectory of this season, then there's no reason why he shouldn't develop into the next level.

[IAmNick]

Max has maybe made more errors recently, or not looked as good as he was - but our defence has also been completely up in the air . When he was looking better, he had a fairly consistent group in front of him. Coincidence?

These things are rarely about a single player in my opinion. It's obviously a team game, and that goes for both keeping the ball out of your net, and putting it in the oppositions.

I'm not sure he's going to be a long term starter if we're ever a top 6 team (hah!) although Pearson seems to disagree based on his recent contract.

I don't agree with the "his distribution has got worse" though... it's always been crap in my opinion! I don't think his distribution was ever better than Bentley's, I think he just played differently which made it easier for him to recycle the ball and play as part of the back line.

Max has done a great job this season overall.

Edited March 20, 2023 by IAmNick

[Davefevs]

2 hours ago, Port Said Red said:

I guess my point is that we have a handful of games left where our only probable objective is to achieve more points than last season to show improvement. I think you, I and many others would like to see the kids get minutes to prove themselves, shouldn't Haikin get the chance to do the same? 

He's taking a bit of a risk to come here and show he can play in England, I think it would be disappointing for him to not even get on the pitch.

Yeah, I get the point.  And in some ways I am contradicting myself re young players.  Although I’m more in the camp that I’m happy to see the youngsters provide backfill rather than cheap appearances.  I’d be quite happy for OTC to sit on the bench over Andy King if we had James, Naismith plus Scott in midfield…if that makes sense.

Re Haikin, I guess I just want Max to keep improving, and gaining experience.

I read an interesting article the other day that suggested having two no1s is not a good idea…and that you want an out and out no1, feeling his place isn’t under challenge, Uber confident that he’s gonna play.  Not sure if I agree or not, just an interesting thought, because we all suggest we want two no1s.

[2015]

I like Max, I really do. However, not sure he is a long term Number 1 here in say 3 or 4 years time still the GK. Makes too many sloppy errors and his kicking out is often dreadful.

He's a decent back up Goalkeeper, but for consistency in the Championship I think we could find a better one. Haikin needs to be tried for a few games.

Truthfully we've only really had Maenpaa at this level since promotion in 2015 was consistently solid for us.

[View from the Dolman]

Not sure we'll be seeing anything from him - suggestion that he's heading back to Norway.

"Bristol City are set to terminate their short-term agreement with Nikita Haikin as the goalkeeper is ready to re-sign for Bodo/Glimt less than two months after arriving at Ashton Gate, according to reports in Norway."

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-goalkeeper-set-leave-8273896

[View from the Dolman]

Translation via Google: "Now, however, Glimt has come to an oral agreement with Haikin in particular about a surprising return to Aspmyra only a short time after he left the club, Nettavisen and AN are informed. ... The existing short-term agreement with Bristol City, which initially lasts until 30 June, is, according to Nettavisen and AN's understanding, about to be terminated. Haikin can thus return to Bodø and sign for Glimt again."

https://www.nettavisen.no/sport/nettavisen-erfarer-nikita-haikin-pa-vei-tilbake-til-bodo-glimt/s/5-95-986108

[Selred]

Haikin at City.

[1960maaan]

So he signed until the end of the Season.

Loans can only be recalled during a window, unless both Clubs agree .

Why would we agree to this ?

His return would leave us with Max, Harvey Wiles-Richards the next most senior and Buse who is on loan. 

Can someone explain how this is working, and why ?

Seems odd.

[Dullmoan Tone]

Presumably he thought he had been given assurances that he would be selected if he was good enough and the club don’t think he is better than what we already have in the reserves!

 

[OneTeamInBristol]

19 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

So he signed until the end of the Season.

Loans can only be recalled during a window, unless both Clubs agree .

Why would we agree to this ?

His return would leave us with Max, Harvey Wiles-Richards the next most senior and Buse who is on loan. 

Can someone explain how this is working, and why ?

Seems odd.

We're not going down and we're not going up.

Max getting injured is unlikely so even if we have to/choose to give Wiles-Richards a few games it's not really going to matter.

[exAtyeoMax]

1 hour ago, View from the Dolman said:

Translation via Google: "Now, however, Glimt has come to an oral agreement with Haikin in particular about a surprising return to Aspmyra only a short time after he left the club, Nettavisen and AN are informed. ... The existing short-term agreement with Bristol City, which initially lasts until 30 June, is, according to Nettavisen and AN's understanding, about to be terminated. Haikin can thus return to Bodø and sign for Glimt again."

https://www.nettavisen.no/sport/nettavisen-erfarer-nikita-haikin-pa-vei-tilbake-til-bodo-glimt/s/5-95-986108

oh that's a shame

[Port Said Red]

3 minutes ago, exAtyeoMax said:

oh that's a shame

It would have been nice for him to get a chance, but if that's how it's worked out at least he hasn't burnt any bridges back home. If this is the case though, then I would say it makes more sense to have one of our young goalkeepers getting match day experience on the bench instead. 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, 1960maaan said:

So he signed until the end of the Season.

Loans can only be recalled during a window, unless both Clubs agree .

Why would we agree to this ?

His return would leave us with Max, Harvey Wiles-Richards the next most senior and Buse who is on loan. 

Can someone explain how this is working, and why ?

Seems odd.

For info, Norway run a summer calendar so their league starts in April, and their registration windows / rules are different to ours (we run a winter calendar).  Therefore it will likely be a simple termination with us, signing by them, no loan necessary.  No need for us to pay him some if his remaining contract, this will be a simple break of contract with no further obligations.

If I was cynical (who? Me?) he’s managed to bag himself a few months pay from us whilst OOC, whilst knowing Bodo have saved themselves off-season pay too.  But in fairness I reckon he might’ve fancied getting a gig permanently in this country, he was here previously.

[Cityboy1954]

On 19/03/2023 at 14:52, Port Said Red said:

I thought Max slipped under his recent standards today, his distribution in particular took a step back. We need to see what Nikita Haikin can offer before the end of this season really, so I think the opportunity is there to give him a couple of games.

Just been on google site they reckon hes going back to his old club Bodo/glint ?

[1960maaan]

1 hour ago, OneTeamInBristol said:

We're not going down and we're not going up.

Max getting injured is unlikely so even if we have to/choose to give Wiles-Richards a few games it's not really going to matter.

I'm judging this decision, not on probability or reasonable behaviour, but on out injury record.

Day after He goes, odds on Max gets an injury. 

[Redsi2]

Makes no sense based on our past judgement of letting players go just before someone in a wafer thin squad gets crocked for the season.

[ExiledAjax]

3 hours ago, Cityboy1954 said:

Just been on google site they reckon hes going back to his old club Bodo/glint ?

Been confirmed

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/haikin-leaves-city/

[One Team]

Haikin gone then! Time for @Shtanley to dust off his gloves! 

[Simon bristol]

3 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

I'm judging this decision, not on probability or reasonable behaviour, but on out injury record.

Day after He goes, odds on Max gets an injury. 

Yes, we ought to know better by now what might happen.. unless theres a free agent available cheap?

[Lanterne Rouge]

3 minutes ago, Simon bristol said:

Yes, we ought to know better by now what might happen.. unless theres a free agent available cheap?

We can get a keeper in on an emergency loan if needs be.

[Taz]

Well this thread aged well didn't it? 

I guess that Nige's answer to the original post is a clear and resounding "no f'n chance".

We'll definitely be looking at a keeper in the summer...

Also, it would appear that the coaching staff have also taken the opinion that he wasn't that much better than the other options we have, should we need to use somebody other than Max.

There is also a recently retired goalkeeper that likes cycling who could probably still do a decent job at this level if we needed an emergency signing 

Edited March 21, 2023 by Taz
Added content.

[One Team]

1 minute ago, Taz said:

Well this thread aged well didn't it? 

I guess that Nige's answer to the original post is a clear and resounding "no f'n chance".

We'll definitely be looking at a keeper in the summer...

Indeed, need competition for places after all. 

[Davefevs]

14 minutes ago, Taz said:

Well this thread aged well didn't it? 

I guess that Nige's answer to the original post is a clear and resounding "no f'n chance".

We'll definitely be looking at a keeper in the summer...

Unless Bajic becomes the challenger?

[petehinton]

The fact he’s been here 2 months and Pearson had to remind himself he joined when speaking about the January window in the presser the other week “the 2 that we managed to bring in….*3 second pause* and Nik” suggests to me he was nowhere near the level. 
 

Would’ve been on a pittance and the definition of no risk, but sure some will use it as a stick to beat Pearson with (judging by twitter, definitely are) 

[!james]

 

 

 

[Taz]

15 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Unless Bajic becomes the challenger?

Possibly, although the reports of the under 21 appearances he's made have been a bit indifferent.

Of course that doesn't mean he comes back from his loan, kicks on in pre season and takes the chance with both hands (yes I did mean to do that!)

[RedM]

3 minutes ago, !james said:

 

 

 

That is a lovely message from him, especially as he never got to play for most of us. Some players have been here years and leave without any aknowledgement.  I get the feeling he could have been a good 'un, a decent Human if nothing else. 

[ExiledAjax]

Marinovic is a free agent 

[italian dave]

1 minute ago, ExiledAjax said:

Marinovic is a free agent 

I've heard him called worse....

[GrahamC]

4 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

I'm judging this decision, not on probability or reasonable behaviour, but on out injury record.

Day after He goes, odds on Max gets an injury. 

We would be allowed to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan if that happened, because we would have no one on our books with league experience.

I was told a while back he didn’t make a great impression at all in his only U21 game & that we were also surprised just how rusty he was in his first week with us.

Not surprised that he’s going but thought it would be in the summer.

[Red-Robbo]

5 minutes ago, RedM said:

That is a lovely message from him, especially as he never got to play for most of us. Some players have been here years and leave without any aknowledgement.  I get the feeling he could have been a good 'un, a decent Human if nothing else. 

 

I think he's destined to become a very tough to answer question in a future City-based quiz in a few year's time.

[Davefevs]

20 minutes ago, petehinton said:

The fact he’s been here 2 months and Pearson had to remind himself he joined when speaking about the January window in the presser the other week “the 2 that we managed to bring in….*3 second pause* and Nik” suggests to me he was nowhere near the level. 
 

Would’ve been on a pittance and the definition of no risk, but sure some will use it as a stick to beat Pearson with (judging by twitter, definitely are) 

Imho I doubt that, he’s got good pedigree, but Max is no1 and Nige isn’t the type to break his selection policy to give someone a game. 

4 minutes ago, Taz said:

Possibly, although the reports of the under 21 appearances he's made have been a bit indifferent.

Of course that doesn't mean he comes back from his loan, kicks on in pre season and takes the chance with both hands (yes I did mean to do that!)

Yes, mixed reviews, so hard to tell.

I’ve watched a fair bit of his actions at Valenciennes, and he’s mixed there too. But their defence is poverty!!!!

[Red-Robbo]

Just now, Davefevs said:

Nige isn’t the type to break his selection policy to give someone a game. 

 

 

*cough, cough* Harry Cornick  

[Davefevs]

Just now, Red-Robbo said:

 

*cough, cough* Harry Cornick  

Not sure that’s true really. 

[Red-Robbo]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Not sure that’s true really. 

 

I cannot for the life of me see how Pearson can have watched Cornick's performances for us and thought "he's won a place in the starting XI" last weekend, so it's either true or he made a big error of judgement. In my opinion, of course.  

[Red-Robbo]

1 minute ago, Percy Pig said:

Get to many training sessions? 

No, but I think you'll find you don't win any points by training well.... 

[Red-Robbo]

1 minute ago, Percy Pig said:

No, but you can justify selection. 

In fact, most coaches would argue its where you do justify selection. 

 

Didn't work out though did it. We lost to a team that hadn't been able to buy a win before meeting us. So, I conclude, an error of judgement.

The list of players that train fantastically, but don't perform as well in a competitive game is much longer than the list of those that do. 

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

13 minutes ago, Percy Pig said:

Sorry, what? 

 

39 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

Didn't work out though did it. We lost to a team that hadn't been able to buy a win before meeting us. So, I conclude, an error of judgement.

The list of players that train fantastically, but don't perform as well in a competitive game is much longer than the list of those that do. 

[Davefevs]

1 hour ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I cannot for the life of me see how Pearson can have watched Cornick's performances for us and thought "he's won a place in the starting XI" last weekend, so it's either true or he made a big error of judgement. In my opinion, of course.  

Because others aren’t showing any better form either.  So you could argue it’s kinda by default, because Bell or Wells haven’t done enough either.

[Port Said Red]

So which of our kids makes the bench against Reading then?

[Red-Robbo]

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Because others aren’t showing any better form either.  So you could argue it’s kinda by default, because Bell or Wells haven’t done enough either.

But they have at other times for us: unlike Cornick....

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, Red-Robbo said:

But they have at other times for us: unlike Cornick....

Maybe

[Red-Robbo]

1 hour ago, Percy Pig said:

Sorry, what? 

 

57 minutes ago, The Dolman Pragmatist said:

 

 

Easy enough concept to grasp: there are players who can look good in a training scenario, but who'll not make it to elite levels of the game. Only a minority of players will do so.