Maybe if he had 86% worth of long-ball practice we wouldn't have conceded to Brighton!

That aside though he has been excellent at distribution with both feet and I keep waiting for the slip-up/mistake where the Strikers preassure forces him to kick it into his own net or roll under his foot but so far this hasn't happened. Maybe it's because he's used to a Spanish style and he seems very, very assured at this.

That said, his Spanish counterpart De Gea looks a lot more uneasy with this style and often hoofs it out for a throw or straight down the middle to an opposing player.

We know he has a mistake in him though (like Brighton or last season when he bounced the ball BEHIND his own goal line). That and being very, very punchy this season which has caused a few panicked moments, I would personally like to see Butland get a go every now and then.

In fact I wonder if Butland is the better shot-stopper/catcher/commanding Keeper but he is so used to long-balls at Stoke maybe that's what is keeping him out.