With the season done, the votes are in for the best XI for each division of the NOW Pension's English national league. And with the focus of this blog purposefully centering on goalkeepers, it's a ! And as for votes, Pinner was voted best for the Premier division. Hibbert for East. Rob Turner for North. And Mason without a doubt the best in the West. You can see the rest of the team sheets here: link
Pinner the best?
With Pinner making some eye catching saves in international games recently (which from a non-goalkeeper and spectator view can seem better than getting it done with a technically sound approach which can seem more dull), I think this is a reflection of his selection. For a goalkeeper to be considered the best around, they've got to "shut it down" and get the job done when it counts the most, to be the 'best gun in town' (cowboy style). With a strong defense in front of him and a high scoring team, getting clean sheets out of a power house is not the same as playing so well you can guarantee your team points when the squad in front of you is technically poor (a la Cesar at QPR). So on the this one, I can't say I honestly agree. Is there another goalkeeper worthy, or is voting made harder by lack of options?
The potential truth doesn't really reflect the reality of Pinner getting voted. Not in an overly critical way, just stating... Just watching Pinner play here, you can see some of his weaknesses (that can constructively be worked on). The first PC he goes the wrong way, something you don't want to expect of a goalkeeper considered top of the range quality; expecting the level of focus to see them follow the ball in the correct direction. He does work well with his defenders and communicates well, but fails to make the most of his size. Perhaps learning off a mentor like Mason and the way he makes the most of his height, rather than passively sitting deep all the time, could draw the best out of his abilities.
To be fair, goalkeeping in the Premier division has been a pretty mixed bag. Ironically a goalkeeper who has more work to do has the chance to prove their ability, because they going to have to pull off more saves than the psychological agony of making sure you achieve that one game defining save at perhaps the end of the match! Harry Gibson had been called into action repeatedly over the course of the season, making a difference even if his team couldn't score enough to save them from the brink of relegation.
Jamie Cachia has been solid for a team that has just been promoted, proving he can play at this level, making a series of outstanding saves in some of the final games of the season for example. So, no, I don't really think Pinner is up there just right now. More in the sense that because there has been no clear cut out standout goalkeeper capable of doing everything required to be that. Reading's Bailey can make some flukey saves, and then fall to pieces, not helping his team to keep it tied and confident and so on. Without Kindler Canterbury were in a state of goalie confusion (although they were really before then); Stubbings was able to make spectacular saves or keep the scoreline down, but conceded quite a few. Smith struggled too, Fair coming in to save the day in the second half of the season to avoid the drop.
So all in all, it has been quite the mixed bag this season for the ten best team's goalkeepers in English hockey.
Hibbert a fair choice
For me, Chris Hibbert has been worthy of accepting the best voted goalkeeper in the East conference. Hibsy has helped Southgate for quite some many promotion winning seasons, which have essentially seen the team yo-yo between Prem and conference over the past five or six years! Hibbert may not always make the 'best looking' saves but he has arguably been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in English hockey for a decade, not making too many glaring mistakes or errors that cost his time.
There have been some quality goalkeeping performances but the competition for Hibbert's voting place was a bit weak. Although saying that, a good second choice would have been David Forrester, achieving his own tally of clean sheets, whilst Brighton's Dave proved his ability to play at this level. Phil Carr had a bit of an up and down season again with Oxted, struggling with concentration issues, with others not being obvious stars this season. But for goalkeepers at this level, the level of high performance needs to be consistent across the season, not just one game!
A save like this is definitely highlight and ability worthy, but Allan would be one of the few elite goalies, if he could pull this off more regularly:
Hibbert has been a rock for his team, just like you would want your goalkeeper to be, if you're the team coach (at whatever level!). Supposedly retiring at the end of the season, I can't see how Southgate will cope without him, just as Mason makes Guildford Guildford and Turner is Bowdon's rock. Without them, the team has no chance; the idea of the first player to be selected actually a great goalkeeper to lead them team ahead of them and be that much of a difference maker, "building from the back"!!
Mason the best in the West
Simon Mason being the top voted goalkeeper in the West conference is pretty unanimous choice. Only goalkeepers like those at Isca, Fareham and Havant have had as match work to do as Mase has lately. Mason's level of ability to read the game and command the players in front of him, as well as making match winning saves, has been the difference maker. At the season break for Christmas, it seemed as if the Surrey side were doomed for relegation. But rebuilding a squad around their solid goalkeeper between the posts, with his ability to keep things tied up, such as a surprising win at home against Havant, allowed them not only to avoid second bottom place, but also to ensure they pushed on up the table.
Mason's performances have not just been proof of the need for a quality goalkeeper but also his own levels of athleticism and goalkeeping ability. Let's not forget that Mason stepped aside at Reading to allow Nick Brothers the playing time (Brothers has since retired due to work commitments and Mason is still playing, an interesting point of reflection), convinced to join Guildford by Ian Jennings and continue his hockey career. Mason has repaid the side with this opportunity, and whilst football commentators are scratching heads over goalkeeping choices, the same could be said of England's hockey choices. Although it might sound strange, Mason still has 'it' and could arguably still play to a higher level than the one he is competing in.
The ever present commanding presence of Mason.
Turner solid for Bowdon
Rob Turner is another goalkeeper like Mason or Hibbert. A constant in Bowdon's games and plans, the former England trialee and member of the GB Super Leagues (a sort of equivalent of the Australian Hockey League for development and scouting selections), he has also be consistent and reliable. Without him Bowdon would not be able to push promotion as usual, although unfortunate this time round. I don't have too much knowledge of the North conference, but having seen footage of Brooklands' goalkeeper don't think he would have been in the runnings.
Turner in his own time in the Prem, closing down an attack in close.
So in summary, I agree with three out of four choices. Having seen Mason play so well this season, and knowing how well he has been playing, versus say that of Pinner (who has been up-and-down, probably due to commitments and the difference in standard of international hockey perhaps). Arguably I think he's like the Dino Zoff of hockey; he's still got it and probably do for quite some time so long as his body stays in good shape! Interested in the analysis levels of scouting, he could definitely still play to an incredibly high level; his wisdom from age and experience merging with his talents and communicative abilities. Not knowing enough about the North conference, but knowing how strong Turner is week in week out at the back for them, it's not surprising he was voted top, whilst Hibbert is and has been too.
And on top of this, I think the voting scenario a great idea. It's a nice touch to the season coverage (which could still be built upon, definitely so!). In the NHL, goalies are voted for the Vezina Trophy according to how well they have helped their team, which is arguably the strongest factor in picking how well the goalkeepers have performed over the season. And there are also records for goals against averages and shutouts. A kind of incentive but also a tool for the analyst to work out who has arguably been playing objectively better (but best to factor in best scoring chances!).
Food for thought anyhow!
Pinner the best?
With Pinner making some eye catching saves in international games recently (which from a non-goalkeeper and spectator view can seem better than getting it done with a technically sound approach which can seem more dull), I think this is a reflection of his selection. For a goalkeeper to be considered the best around, they've got to "shut it down" and get the job done when it counts the most, to be the 'best gun in town' (cowboy style). With a strong defense in front of him and a high scoring team, getting clean sheets out of a power house is not the same as playing so well you can guarantee your team points when the squad in front of you is technically poor (a la Cesar at QPR). So on the this one, I can't say I honestly agree. Is there another goalkeeper worthy, or is voting made harder by lack of options?
Pinner getting bored in game with little work to do!
The potential truth doesn't really reflect the reality of Pinner getting voted. Not in an overly critical way, just stating... Just watching Pinner play here, you can see some of his weaknesses (that can constructively be worked on). The first PC he goes the wrong way, something you don't want to expect of a goalkeeper considered top of the range quality; expecting the level of focus to see them follow the ball in the correct direction. He does work well with his defenders and communicates well, but fails to make the most of his size. Perhaps learning off a mentor like Mason and the way he makes the most of his height, rather than passively sitting deep all the time, could draw the best out of his abilities.
Jamie Cachia has been solid for a team that has just been promoted, proving he can play at this level, making a series of outstanding saves in some of the final games of the season for example. So, no, I don't really think Pinner is up there just right now. More in the sense that because there has been no clear cut out standout goalkeeper capable of doing everything required to be that. Reading's Bailey can make some flukey saves, and then fall to pieces, not helping his team to keep it tied and confident and so on. Without Kindler Canterbury were in a state of goalie confusion (although they were really before then); Stubbings was able to make spectacular saves or keep the scoreline down, but conceded quite a few. Smith struggled too, Fair coming in to save the day in the second half of the season to avoid the drop.
So all in all, it has been quite the mixed bag this season for the ten best team's goalkeepers in English hockey.
Hibbert a fair choice
For me, Chris Hibbert has been worthy of accepting the best voted goalkeeper in the East conference. Hibsy has helped Southgate for quite some many promotion winning seasons, which have essentially seen the team yo-yo between Prem and conference over the past five or six years! Hibbert may not always make the 'best looking' saves but he has arguably been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in English hockey for a decade, not making too many glaring mistakes or errors that cost his time.
There have been some quality goalkeeping performances but the competition for Hibbert's voting place was a bit weak. Although saying that, a good second choice would have been David Forrester, achieving his own tally of clean sheets, whilst Brighton's Dave proved his ability to play at this level. Phil Carr had a bit of an up and down season again with Oxted, struggling with concentration issues, with others not being obvious stars this season. But for goalkeepers at this level, the level of high performance needs to be consistent across the season, not just one game!
A save like this is definitely highlight and ability worthy, but Allan would be one of the few elite goalies, if he could pull this off more regularly:
Simon Mason being the top voted goalkeeper in the West conference is pretty unanimous choice. Only goalkeepers like those at Isca, Fareham and Havant have had as match work to do as Mase has lately. Mason's level of ability to read the game and command the players in front of him, as well as making match winning saves, has been the difference maker. At the season break for Christmas, it seemed as if the Surrey side were doomed for relegation. But rebuilding a squad around their solid goalkeeper between the posts, with his ability to keep things tied up, such as a surprising win at home against Havant, allowed them not only to avoid second bottom place, but also to ensure they pushed on up the table.
Turner solid for Bowdon
Rob Turner is another goalkeeper like Mason or Hibbert. A constant in Bowdon's games and plans, the former England trialee and member of the GB Super Leagues (a sort of equivalent of the Australian Hockey League for development and scouting selections), he has also be consistent and reliable. Without him Bowdon would not be able to push promotion as usual, although unfortunate this time round. I don't have too much knowledge of the North conference, but having seen footage of Brooklands' goalkeeper don't think he would have been in the runnings.
So in summary, I agree with three out of four choices. Having seen Mason play so well this season, and knowing how well he has been playing, versus say that of Pinner (who has been up-and-down, probably due to commitments and the difference in standard of international hockey perhaps). Arguably I think he's like the Dino Zoff of hockey; he's still got it and probably do for quite some time so long as his body stays in good shape! Interested in the analysis levels of scouting, he could definitely still play to an incredibly high level; his wisdom from age and experience merging with his talents and communicative abilities. Not knowing enough about the North conference, but knowing how strong Turner is week in week out at the back for them, it's not surprising he was voted top, whilst Hibbert is and has been too.
And on top of this, I think the voting scenario a great idea. It's a nice touch to the season coverage (which could still be built upon, definitely so!). In the NHL, goalies are voted for the Vezina Trophy according to how well they have helped their team, which is arguably the strongest factor in picking how well the goalkeepers have performed over the season. And there are also records for goals against averages and shutouts. A kind of incentive but also a tool for the analyst to work out who has arguably been playing objectively better (but best to factor in best scoring chances!).
Food for thought anyhow!
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