Michael Cooper handed Premier League verdict as Sheffield United goalkeeper shows he's back to his best v Bolton Wanderers
Michael Cooper produced a string of big saves as Sheffield United held on to beat Bolton Wanderers, prompting a glowing Premier League verdict from his former Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher...
Michael Cooper is showing signs of being back to his best at Sheffield United - and his former manager, thwarted by him on Tuesday night, believes he is good enough to play in the Premier League. The Blades ‘keeper was instrumental in the 3-2 win over Bolton Wanderers.
Wanderers had twice led at Bramall Lane and were thwarted a number of times by Cooper throughout the evening. The Blades equalised quickly on both occasions before Romelle Donovan’s stoppage-time goal earned them a first three points of the season.
Steven Schumacher, the Wanderers boss, was not surprised by Cooper’s heroics, having managed him at Plymouth Argyle before he was lured north by the Blades two summers ago.
“When Michael left Argyle, I expected him to come to Sheffield United and probably get promoted and be a Premier League goalkeeper,” Schumacher told The Star post-match. “Because I think that's how good he is,” Schumacher said.
“I think he's capable of that because he makes saves in big moments, and when he makes a save, there's no drama about it. He just makes the save and gets on with his job.”
Cooper had a superb debut season at Bramall Lane but fell below those standards last term as a knee issue troubled him. A period of rest helped address the issue and Cooper has looked back to his best in the first few games this time around.
“He had his operation, had enough time to go through the process of his rehabilitation and to get him back to where he was, in my opinion, arguably the best goalkeeper in the division,” Wilder said.
“He was good. He made some big saves for us. That's how the game goes sometimes. I was just talking to Liam Kitching, who is going to be a good signing for us, about last time that Coventry played down here, when they won the division.
“I'm not saying that we're going to win the division, by the way, but we absolutely battered Coventry for the first 20-25 minutes last season. But emergency defending, and their goalkeeper making save after save, gave them an opportunity of getting something from the game. And Michael's allowed us to do that.”
Cooper’s temperament is as impressive as his shot-stopping ability. “He's brilliant,” Schumacher added. “The lads who watch him every week will know exactly what I'm saying. Everything that goes into him, he gathers.
“The cross that came in tonight, when we got them under pressure, he just comes and collects it, and the saves speak for themselves. He's not the biggest of goalies, but it's very difficult to beat him, and tonight he's earned them the three points.”