Goalkeeper Talk

Goalkeeping a pseudo science?

An article from the Guardian website focuses on England’s current goalkeeper problem. I wanted to highlight a part of the article which I thought was something to consider -

It may seem illogical to blame James for an untimely bobble of the ball, but I believe we should, mainly because goalkeeping is an illogical business, a pseudo science that – despite some waffle about angles and big-making and wrist-firmness – is still bound up in an invisible world of aura and personality and luck-creation.

The writer is attempting to point out that goalkeeping training/coaching  falls 2nd to ultimately having the personality (and luck) factor.

Obviously the writer has never been a goalkeeper, and fails to realise the only way you can build your confidence is through improving your ability. One cannot succeed without the other.

In other words, find the biggest, most confident loud-mouth you can, and put him in goals vs someone who has been goalkeeping training every week for the past 5 years. The loudmouth may have this illusive ‘personality’ the writer refers to, but there is no way he can outperform someone who’s been properly trained.

Common sense really…(but I suppose journalists need to sell papers…not talk sense!)

A site every goalkeeping fan should visit

I’m always a fan of random facts and interesting stories from around the globe. Furthermore I also love everything to do with goalkeeping. So the following site suits both my interests and is one I think everyone can enjoy visiting.

If you haven’t seen www.goalkeepersaredifferent.com yet, you are missing out on a thoroughly entertaining and unique look at goalkeeping. Websites about goalkeeping are few and far between, so it is a real pleasure to have access to one with such a rich amount of information. So what will you find on Goalkeepers Are Different?

• Profiles of some of the great goalkeepers throughout history (going as far back as 1910!!)
• The history of how the goalkeeping world has changed, from keeper’s jerseys, to the design of the goalposts
• Quirky facts such as keeper nicknames, goalscoring goalkeepers and bizarre goalie injuries
• An extensive recommended reading list of goalkeeping books

The bullet points really don’t do the site justice. It is huge, excellently researched and well put together.

So grab a cup of your favourite beverage, head over to Goalkeepers Are Different and read some fascinating insights into the most important position in football.

Robbie Savage a goalkeeper…SAY IT AIN’T SO!

Robbie Savage stated he’d like to try his hand at goalkeeping, hoping to use it as a way to get into the Wales squad (obviously tongue in cheek). This came off the back of his emergency call up to play between the sticks against Reading as their first choice keeper sustained injury. Savage states –

“I watch everything, where keepers go. If I had to play in the back four, I could, if I had to play up front, I could.”

Modesty not being one of Savage’s strong points, he then realises the nonsense he is actually saying and goes on to add –

“It is the most boring position in the world to be fair, isn‘’’t it?…It is horrendous.”

I real diamond of a speaker isn’t he? They say you have to be daft to be a goalkeeper…so at least Savage has ONE thing going for him with regards to his goalkeeping career.