Radek Vitek flashpoints for Middlesbrough against Millwall spark reaction | OneFootball

Middlesbrough fans are starting to question Radek Vitek after their draw against Millwall

One of the main ports of call this summer at Middlesbrough was addressing the goalkeeper situation, following Sol Brynn's costly error against Hull City in the play-off final.

The 25-year-old academy graduate, in his first season as Boro's first choice, was often the man the finger was pointed at during Middlesbrough's poor form towards the end of last season.

Yes, Kim Hellberg's side were wasteful in front of goal, but it was often the case that opponents didn't have many chances to score, but did. That was emphasised at Wembley, after, despite only having two shots on target and 11 touches in the Boro box, Hull came out 1-0 victors.

Yu Hirakawa's cross was parried into the path of Oli McBurnie by Brynn, and since then, the 25-year-old has played just EFL Cup minutes for Middlesbrough, with Manchester United's Radek Vitek coming in for a package worth up to £14 million, following a Player of the Year campaign at Bristol City.

Middlesbrough fans are already questioning Radek Vitek after the first seven games

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Given the expectations surrounding him, and well-warranted ones, too — Vitek prevented 7.36 goals last season and made 134 saves last season — Middlesbrough fans are holding the Czech shot-stopper in high regard.

Therefore, after an opening seven games where Kim Hellberg's side have once again conceded more than their expected goals against suggests they should be, some Middlesbrough fans are starting to have a conversation surrounding their new goalkeeper.

Vitek conceded another couple of goals against Millwall, one of which from Tairyk Arconte crept in at his near post.

After the game, one Middlesbrough fan tweeted, "What’s everyone’s thoughts on Vitek so far? I will be honest, I am not seeing what justified the fee. So far, not made a save he shouldn’t have made. Let in a few he shouldn’t have (tonight’s 1st example of that). Brynn has miles better command of the box."

Some Boro fans were in agreement in the comments. One said, "I agree, we r conceding so much and I was led to believe he would pull out worldiez, now it feels like we r overreacting to basic saves to justify the price. His distribution is basic as well," while another added, "He certainly isn’t the shot stopper we believed we were getting."

A fourth stated that they agree to a point, with the fact being that, given the investment in the goalkeeper position, there should be improvement. At the moment, even if he is better than Brynn, he arguably isn't £8 million better than their former first choice.

Another pointed to the fee.

Middlesbrough fans quick to defend Radek Vitek, despite slow start

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It's ultimately a debate that Middlesbrough fans are pretty divided on. Despite the stats not being in Vitek's favour, a lot of Boro fans are keen to give him the benefit of the doubt, given that he hasn't had a settled defence and has fallen victim to some very good finishing.

"Very harsh expecting him to save that first one tonight," one fan wrote in reply to the very first tweet. "Brynn wouldn't have saved either of the shots tonight. Behave yourself," another commented.

"Give him time. The first goal tonight wasn’t easy; excellent finish and the keeper was unsighted. One excellent save v Norwich. He’s got the raw ability; we just need the defence in front of him to settle. It’s not even a debate as to who is the better keeper," another fan commented.

"It’s very early days, & he’s not playing behind a settled defence (or much of ANY defence). I’m more comfortable with him in there than Brynn, but he’s not been anything to write home about so far. The same could be said for most of the summer signings, they need time to gel," was also among the replies, too, suggesting that Vitek, like others, needs time to settle in to the new squad.

Radek Vitek's Championship stats compared to Sol Brynn's

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So far, Vitek hasn't been able to maintain the brilliant form he showed during his time on loan at Bristol City last season. However, that downturn hasn't just resulted in middling stats, but among the lowest of any goalkeeper in the division.

His save percentage through seven games only stands at 60%, down from 71.3% last year. His saves per 90, which was 3.27 last season, currently sits at 2.14. Distribution-wise, he's among the top 30% of Championship goalkeepers so far this year, but hasn't had too many balls to play, with Boro on top in most games.

Comparing that with Brynn last year, the academy graduate also made just over two saves per 90, but did so at a 68.9% ratio, which just goes to show how few chances Middlesbrough gave opponents last year.

He also let in 5.64 more than his xGA suggested he should have, which was the fourth-worst in the Championship.

So, while Vitek hasn't torn up any trees in the Boro goal just yet, there are caveats to those performances, and even then, they haven't been that bad. Hopefully, with some much-needed stability across the backline after the international break, the former Manchester United man can finally get to grips with his new club.