Pinner to Holcombe

Getting the rumour and transfer gossip train going, it's out new and verified that George Pinner is going down south from his established spot at , with a physical move from the north to Medway, Kent. The whispers were going around that a well known goalkeeper was going to be joining the East conference side that again missed out on promotion (playoffs anyway) at the wire against Southgate (who themselves are back in the Prem). In a similar parallel to that of Maddie Hinch moving from Leicester to take Holcombe to the Premier league in just one season, it looks like Kent's side's investors are looking at changing the back guard to succeed.

With the East conference a close contest, Holcombe need something to chance in order to achieve their lofty ambitions. But how this would happen is the result of different factors. Coaching is one, and if the team is shipping goals that costs their GD (goal difference) tally at the end of the season when tied for points with competition, it says more about how the defence is performing than the forward line. George Pinner will add a depth of experience and personal desire, but is this enough without a cohesive defence to work with? It will therefore be decisive as to whether the move by Holcombe will pay off (literally and metaphorically) going forward.

With Holcombe splashing the cash, there will be a few other players joining to strengthen the squad outfield. This leads to opening up the discussion about the status of hockey players in England in comparison to elsewhere in the world, and the possible lead into professional status. And there are more question marks over the ability to perform as a squad (aka Man City Pelligrini and uniformity) rather than talented individuals bundled together. But why a goalkeeper when Dick has been performing well enough not to be dropped out of mistakes or loss of form?

With it almost halfway through the buildup for Rio, this could have major impact on Pinner and therefore England. For example, this would be like Hodgson turning to Alex McCarthy to play in place of Joe Hart, or Cesar's situation being loaned out to Toronto in the MLS just before representing Brazil in the biggest World Cup in years. Not on a level of quality per say, but on the regularity of top level finishing being faced. And therefore quality of decision making and save making versus top notch chances. However slight, it could have a big impact on his international appearances. Forgoing European hockey (with the EHL) also features in this move by Pinner.

There are a multiple of effects that will obviously occur as a result of Pinner's move. Beeston will be left without their GB star and leaving goalkeeping duties in the hands (and feet) of joinee Ashley Watson. Allan Dick, who just recently called time on his international career, will also be moving as a result (one would assume anyway). Where he goes is anyone's guess for now, but given this public move to bring in a replacement for him, it could be a chance for him to strengthen a squad in the division and help upgrade and shore up their own goalkeeping ranks. 

East Grinstead are also said to be signing a new goalkeeper, as are Beeston. Bit out of sync with these at the moment so not as up to speed as I used to be, but will be interesting to see how things develop over the course of the summer.