Whilst there were rumours abound that former England number one, James Fair was going to hang up the pads for good, there is no change for the Staffordshire side that were in the European Hockey League about four seasons ago and their goalie ranks. With Fair they have a strong and experienced starter and in Smith they have a prospect with great upside. Obviously David Kettle was once Fair's deputy and made the decision to leave in order to chase his dream of first choice status elsewhere, putting in the hard work to make it a reality, and Smith could easily slot in at a national league side elsewhere instead of biding his time (which would get him further game experience), so Cannock's management must be certain he has what it takes to keep Cannock challenging for the title season in and season out, once Fair does actually retire for good.
"Fairy" (not that there's anything fairy related about him other than his nickname, although his performances against Holland in the Euros in 2010 *I think* were magical!), has been Cannock's rock in defence for quite some time, after joining from his time at Deeside Ramblers in his early days. He brings with him a wealth of experience at international and club level, seen as the replacement to Mason after his retirement; he has strong fundamental elements to his game, as well as a good level of intensity with a quiet, humble personality to match. Where other teams have had goalkeepers come and go (like Surbiton!), Fair has been consistent and regular for Cannock which is something to praise. Fair is himself University of Birmingham alumni (where Kettle went and Smith also).
Playing the English "Y stance" to its optimum best, he makes sure he doesn't get beaten between the legs as so many national league goalkeepers do these days, whilst being able to get low for those diving glove saves, or get them quickly raised to stop raised shots flying past him. Explosive and precise with his movements, he doesn't pointlessly waste energy and is spot on with strong angle work and makes sure he is quick off the post to shut down attacks and get up close and personal to deny scoring opportunities. He is vocal and communicate with his defenders, something you don't actually always see (or hear even!) at this level strangely enough, and can be heard loud and proud at domestic level games or internationally (having seen him play in person, so at least I can comment with certainty on that one!).
Fair's deputy, Patrick Smith, is still looking for that chance to come (bar injury or retirement by Fair!). He has experience at junior elite representative level, and did well in this, with arguably analytically better performances than those of Bailey who is now strangely ahead of him on the depth chart, even though he arguably outperformed Bailey at U21 level. He has experience in junior international competition, so has the groundworks for competing at this level. Kit wise he has experimented with playing with no arm pads and . He has made the changeover to the Mercian tube style rhp which is blocky and offers a good shot stopping surface whilst being flat for that ground coverage parallel for sliding blocks and tackles, rather than the blocking larger Obo hi rebound rhp that is popular in Holland, which seems to be becoming more popular in the UK for some reason (i.e. Mercian vs Obo!). Having worked his way through England A, he seems to be the chosen preference over Ian Scanlon who arguably has more game experience and crunch game experience (i.e. requiring the need to "up" the game to perform against higher, more well drilled oppo) and has been playing prem since the age of 21, although seems to be a little inconsistent at times because lack of gk coach input and competition.
A product of Southgate (who are a strong club historically and at present, yoyoing between prem and nat conference) and their junior system, where he backed up veteran Chris Hibbert and also played England U18's at this time. Given the chance to shine early on, he played a season with Bournville in the national league conference before joining Cannock, in his first year at university, which has given him the chance to build off and develop. Given playing opportunities in cup games for Cannock, he is given the chance to deputise which doesn't happen for other clubs (EG or Reading say; Surbiton have had others cover in Kettle's absence). Able to build on this game experience, he can surely go places with the right input and coaching.
For me, the only problem is his psychological approach. He seems to be a little 'obtuse' mood wise (not such a bad thing, Oliver Kahn was very feisty and also very good!!), with seemingly shirty engagements with "Scanners" in the semi-final that took HWHC through to their third cup final, against Surbiton this time, although they still went away empty handed unfortunately. Cockiness is a trait that all goalkeepers need, but arrogance is not a constructive thing, although I can't be sure for sure as I wasn't there (so poppy talk from myself as well!). For now though, he just has to be patient and control negative emotions which could cause bad games where wrong decisions creep in as a result of negativity etc. Cannock are doing a good job of managing the situation though, although if I was Smith I would probably pretty restless (think I'm more impatient!). Once he does get the chance to shine, he has the ability to do so with flying colours. That competitiveness needs harnessing and drawing out for him to play to his potential great best, rather than hot air, but is still a key component for success, so shouldn't be gotten rid of.
Smith has obviously been called up to the full England side as a reserve choice and was part of the team that went to the Super Sevens format in Australia last November and then the Champions Trophy after that. But for me, there is no point in him bench warming and England should look to breed and produce competition rather than look for an incumbent-long term replacement system to adhere to and let levels stagnate with no need to push, develop or improve. England should be blooding the peers of Pinner rather than future Olympians, and there should be a level of competition for goalkeepers to make sure they really push the best out of themselves, across the board.
There is no point in this kind of goalie depth; just look at the form of other sports like Joe Hart or hit and miss inclusions like Scott Carson for a nation. If we want to have a hockey star equivalent of Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence or David Seaman (when he was performing well!), then we need to push the talent to do so, otherwise the next Mason or Vogels just isn't going to appear. Germany and Holland do so with their own goalkeepers in international hockey, especially with the women, and Pirmin Blaak is being given the chance to push Stockmann with Vogels out of the picture, and Reuss too for Germany, against Jacobi, with Weinhold potentially no longer the starter. So maybe Smith should be continuing to get game experience and bide his time to sprint out of the blocks when his opportunity does finally come along.
You can't learn on the bench; for me (and others would agree), the only way for a goalkeeper to get used to the environment where games don't happen like training scenarios, is to go out there and play. It's like having a job with the wrong candidates; we (well, management, not me!) need to bring back the old system that worked, of blooding goalkeepers and bringing them in at the right age and ability (goalkeepers developing later than players due to the nature and responsibilities of the position), like they do so well for in Australia, and having that depth and competition, with Triggs, Lewis, Mason et al fighting for the spot so that the squad was as strong as possible for an Olympic campaign. Wearing the colours of the national shirt should be an honour, not an expected given! Elite, representative level incurs responsibility and accountability and whilst talent might be there on paper, it's not the same thing having goalkeepers not battling constructively for the jersey and pushing each other to outperform!
I don't think Cannock will have much trouble. If Fair ever does go down with injury, Smith is sure to take the opportunity by the horns, since the club is in safe hands either way. Fair will continue to be a bedrock, and Cannock still might not win the league, with most of their stars moving away for fresh starts at other clubs and a rebuild taking time for youngsters to gain enough experience for the team mould to gel and click. It's a case of biding time for Smith to get his chance and run with it.
Cannock are doing well to man manage the situation and make sure both parties are content, whilst ensuring they have a strong and grounded starter for the future, a franchise goalie to build a team from the back out, just as you would see in professional football (why treat hockey any differently, it's our beloved game and we surely want the same standards?!). Stubbing's dip and implosion of form last season is a good example and reflection of why young goalkeepers struggle mentality with the weight of expectations placed on them, and Smith is better off without this happening to him.
Sports psychology is incredibly important for a young goalkeeper and life is a good learner when it comes to these things (some things you just can't coach or teach). Without that life experience or maturity to deal with struggles or dips in form, they (young goalies) can really struggle to play well week in week out, their psychy getting fragile and thus not performing as well in game as a result. Gazzaniga's play at Southampton in football, last season, is good for an alternative example of this. Fair still has years and quality left in him and I can't see Smith being given his chance just yet, so for now, he'll do well for that to be built into his overall game and to keep fighting to prove people right (those coaching him) and wrong (any detractors, always a good motivational tool!).
"Fairy" (not that there's anything fairy related about him other than his nickname, although his performances against Holland in the Euros in 2010 *I think* were magical!), has been Cannock's rock in defence for quite some time, after joining from his time at Deeside Ramblers in his early days. He brings with him a wealth of experience at international and club level, seen as the replacement to Mason after his retirement; he has strong fundamental elements to his game, as well as a good level of intensity with a quiet, humble personality to match. Where other teams have had goalkeepers come and go (like Surbiton!), Fair has been consistent and regular for Cannock which is something to praise. Fair is himself University of Birmingham alumni (where Kettle went and Smith also).
Playing the English "Y stance" to its optimum best, he makes sure he doesn't get beaten between the legs as so many national league goalkeepers do these days, whilst being able to get low for those diving glove saves, or get them quickly raised to stop raised shots flying past him. Explosive and precise with his movements, he doesn't pointlessly waste energy and is spot on with strong angle work and makes sure he is quick off the post to shut down attacks and get up close and personal to deny scoring opportunities. He is vocal and communicate with his defenders, something you don't actually always see (or hear even!) at this level strangely enough, and can be heard loud and proud at domestic level games or internationally (having seen him play in person, so at least I can comment with certainty on that one!).
Fair provides great presence and ability at the back for the Staffs. side.
Even when his team aren't performing well, he is the difference maker, the man of the match and is able to steal them points or wins. Just like in the clip below. He is great at playing "in the zone" and keeping up the level of intensity to play like no-one can beat him. Which, quite frankly, is what your team want of you, every single game! Just watch this clip where he stops about four or five (not sure which!) short corners in a row for a brilliant demonstration of self confidence and belief and to play unstoppably (not sure if that's a word though!)! Also notice his athleticism diving across for the save beforehand, his intelligent turning away of rebounds with the glove to make save there is no second chance for the attackers, and his acrobaticness and agility getting back up into the play in case of an immediate consecutive shot.
Fair's deputy, Patrick Smith, is still looking for that chance to come (bar injury or retirement by Fair!). He has experience at junior elite representative level, and did well in this, with arguably analytically better performances than those of Bailey who is now strangely ahead of him on the depth chart, even though he arguably outperformed Bailey at U21 level. He has experience in junior international competition, so has the groundworks for competing at this level. Kit wise he has experimented with playing with no arm pads and . He has made the changeover to the Mercian tube style rhp which is blocky and offers a good shot stopping surface whilst being flat for that ground coverage parallel for sliding blocks and tackles, rather than the blocking larger Obo hi rebound rhp that is popular in Holland, which seems to be becoming more popular in the UK for some reason (i.e. Mercian vs Obo!). Having worked his way through England A, he seems to be the chosen preference over Ian Scanlon who arguably has more game experience and crunch game experience (i.e. requiring the need to "up" the game to perform against higher, more well drilled oppo) and has been playing prem since the age of 21, although seems to be a little inconsistent at times because lack of gk coach input and competition.
A product of Southgate (who are a strong club historically and at present, yoyoing between prem and nat conference) and their junior system, where he backed up veteran Chris Hibbert and also played England U18's at this time. Given the chance to shine early on, he played a season with Bournville in the national league conference before joining Cannock, in his first year at university, which has given him the chance to build off and develop. Given playing opportunities in cup games for Cannock, he is given the chance to deputise which doesn't happen for other clubs (EG or Reading say; Surbiton have had others cover in Kettle's absence). Able to build on this game experience, he can surely go places with the right input and coaching.
For me, the only problem is his psychological approach. He seems to be a little 'obtuse' mood wise (not such a bad thing, Oliver Kahn was very feisty and also very good!!), with seemingly shirty engagements with "Scanners" in the semi-final that took HWHC through to their third cup final, against Surbiton this time, although they still went away empty handed unfortunately. Cockiness is a trait that all goalkeepers need, but arrogance is not a constructive thing, although I can't be sure for sure as I wasn't there (so poppy talk from myself as well!). For now though, he just has to be patient and control negative emotions which could cause bad games where wrong decisions creep in as a result of negativity etc. Cannock are doing a good job of managing the situation though, although if I was Smith I would probably pretty restless (think I'm more impatient!). Once he does get the chance to shine, he has the ability to do so with flying colours. That competitiveness needs harnessing and drawing out for him to play to his potential great best, rather than hot air, but is still a key component for success, so shouldn't be gotten rid of.
Smith has obviously been called up to the full England side as a reserve choice and was part of the team that went to the Super Sevens format in Australia last November and then the Champions Trophy after that. But for me, there is no point in him bench warming and England should look to breed and produce competition rather than look for an incumbent-long term replacement system to adhere to and let levels stagnate with no need to push, develop or improve. England should be blooding the peers of Pinner rather than future Olympians, and there should be a level of competition for goalkeepers to make sure they really push the best out of themselves, across the board.
There is no point in this kind of goalie depth; just look at the form of other sports like Joe Hart or hit and miss inclusions like Scott Carson for a nation. If we want to have a hockey star equivalent of Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence or David Seaman (when he was performing well!), then we need to push the talent to do so, otherwise the next Mason or Vogels just isn't going to appear. Germany and Holland do so with their own goalkeepers in international hockey, especially with the women, and Pirmin Blaak is being given the chance to push Stockmann with Vogels out of the picture, and Reuss too for Germany, against Jacobi, with Weinhold potentially no longer the starter. So maybe Smith should be continuing to get game experience and bide his time to sprint out of the blocks when his opportunity does finally come along.
You can't learn on the bench; for me (and others would agree), the only way for a goalkeeper to get used to the environment where games don't happen like training scenarios, is to go out there and play. It's like having a job with the wrong candidates; we (well, management, not me!) need to bring back the old system that worked, of blooding goalkeepers and bringing them in at the right age and ability (goalkeepers developing later than players due to the nature and responsibilities of the position), like they do so well for in Australia, and having that depth and competition, with Triggs, Lewis, Mason et al fighting for the spot so that the squad was as strong as possible for an Olympic campaign. Wearing the colours of the national shirt should be an honour, not an expected given! Elite, representative level incurs responsibility and accountability and whilst talent might be there on paper, it's not the same thing having goalkeepers not battling constructively for the jersey and pushing each other to outperform!
I don't think Cannock will have much trouble. If Fair ever does go down with injury, Smith is sure to take the opportunity by the horns, since the club is in safe hands either way. Fair will continue to be a bedrock, and Cannock still might not win the league, with most of their stars moving away for fresh starts at other clubs and a rebuild taking time for youngsters to gain enough experience for the team mould to gel and click. It's a case of biding time for Smith to get his chance and run with it.
Cannock are doing well to man manage the situation and make sure both parties are content, whilst ensuring they have a strong and grounded starter for the future, a franchise goalie to build a team from the back out, just as you would see in professional football (why treat hockey any differently, it's our beloved game and we surely want the same standards?!). Stubbing's dip and implosion of form last season is a good example and reflection of why young goalkeepers struggle mentality with the weight of expectations placed on them, and Smith is better off without this happening to him.
Sports psychology is incredibly important for a young goalkeeper and life is a good learner when it comes to these things (some things you just can't coach or teach). Without that life experience or maturity to deal with struggles or dips in form, they (young goalies) can really struggle to play well week in week out, their psychy getting fragile and thus not performing as well in game as a result. Gazzaniga's play at Southampton in football, last season, is good for an alternative example of this. Fair still has years and quality left in him and I can't see Smith being given his chance just yet, so for now, he'll do well for that to be built into his overall game and to keep fighting to prove people right (those coaching him) and wrong (any detractors, always a good motivational tool!).
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