Well a fairer question (not a choice of 1 good 4 bad vs 1 bad 4 good) would be of the 5 defenders would it be best for the keeper to be the weakest or one of the back four in front of him to be the weakest ?
Think I would definitely NOT want the keeper to be the weakest link...
You completely missed my point. You imply Slocombe needs replacing as reserve goalkeeper as you have no confidence in him. Presumably you think he is a bad goalkeeper.
I think most goalkeepers of L2 level would struggle to shine given the opportunities Slocombe has been given but would appear better if they played every week in a winning team behind a strong defence.
The point I am trying to make is n’t that Slocombe is a better goal keeper than Vickers. It’s that your lack of confidence in him is based on seeing him play in difficult circumstances. He may look a better goalkeeper in better circumstances.
The things that are important to playing at your best include
A run of games in a short period
A Settled team around you
The players around you are the best available
The opposition are no better or inferior than you
Confidence built from playing in a number of winning matches
A familiar environment in which you feel confident
The above are available to Vickers at the moment and he is showing on the whole
What a good keeper he is.
Slocombe has had none of the above advantages.
Implying players are “bad” without carefully considering the evidence is n’t fair to them.