So, this isn't exactly new news (it was news four days ago for crying out loud!!). I take a few days off from things and get behind, oh my days...
So, in all seriousness, the members of the England training squad have been announced (not sure !) and James Bailey is the other goalkeeping option added to the squad. Regardless of the English squad, I'm not sure how things relate to GB selection and so on!! Although England will be competing in an international competition in Belgium in the next few months (can't remember specifically when, or its name, oops!), so this will be a good chance for the newly (re)formed squad to get used to playing alongside each other. The Reading goalkeeper who has obviously played tremendously well in recent Euro Hockey League action, has been given the opportunity, versus the other options that the national team squad have available. Obviously it looks like Bailey's performances and experiences and technical game have been the deciding factor for the inclusion (normally see two goalkeepers chosen, not three, but this is the training squad, so not the match squad!!). I'm just curious how things will pan out given the depth of young goalkeeping talent on offer for England, with Pinner also looking to assert his claim and dominate first choice place.
Bailey joins Patrick Smith, who was the reserve at the Champions Trophy and Super Six Series last year, (within six months ago!) and George Pinner who has been patiently waiting in the wings behind James Fair (and Nick Brothers as well, previously) has been given the chance to assert himself as the number one. Obviously the coaching staff must think highly of Smith given his (almost) immediate move up from England U21's (not seen really for goalkeepers, but not totally uncommon if the talent is there, recent, with similar for Hayward and Blaak for example), in spite of the England A options of Scanlon and Potton. Confusingly while Smith has deputised for Fair at club Cannock, he has not got the same regular experience of say Bailey or Stubbings or others who have played as a national premier league starter from the same age, taking Scanlon as an example. But on the flip side, it's better to ease into the pressure role of goalkeeper when ready, rather than having confidence shot to pieces as happens in other sports, and so on.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out from a critical/objective attempted viewpoint, as personally I would rather see healthy competition for places and a desire to be the best, versus potential complacency and not being pushed. Just saying!!
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