Velaphi's a good keeper. You can probably see the difference between him and our other keepers. But yes, we definitely have better kiwi keepers, or keepers just as good. Of course there's a chance that Smith and Sail could be better than him given more time too.
I think the problem is that where NZ used to have maybe one keeper overseas we now have six overseas because we've had a generation of good keepers. The problem is that this means that the next level of keeper down and on display in the NZFC is further down the pecking order.
Realistically the next best keeper in NZ is Scott Basalaj and I'm not convinced he's an A-League keeper. He can be excellent but can also make some Cap 9 level errors. I think he's better than Keegan at this point and he's probably better than Sail but none of them are a starting A-League keeper currently.
Further to this can we afford to use an import slot on a keeper? We're heading for next season (assuming Krishna is the only import we keep) with one centre back, no defensive midfielder, no goalscorer and an 18 year old as the hub for our midfield creation. To be a better team than this season signing free agent Australians is not the answer. We need a step upgrade in each import slot and those slots are where we will have a gap.
Upshot is Tando might be the best option available to us unless one of the NZ keepers overseas decides they want to play at home.
Nice analysis.
I don't think we can use an import spot on a keeper. A combination of Velaphi and a proper imported center back would work better for me than wasting an import spot on a glove man.
Tamati Williams could be an option. I assume he's improved with his Euro experience, but perhaps also declined with age. If he's at least as good as he was before he departed ACFC then IMO he's superior to Velaphi, so perhaps should be considered.
I'm assuming there's a good reason for Oliver Sail starting the season at number 4. I always thought he'd turn out good and would have surpassed Italiano by now.
Janjetovic is one of the worst keepers in the league. He's lucky that the league also has Kennedy.
% conceded from shots on target is much more likely to do with what happens in front of a keeper. Some defenders do half the job of keeping for you and a well organized defensive unit will play the % game a limit shots in the more dangerous areas. I'd say this low % at WSW is more to do with Thwaite Hammil and Risdon than Jajetovic, just as our error-prone centre backs giving the ball away in central areas would be key contributors to our high %