Saturday 13 September 2014

2014/15 Now Pensions league goalkeepers: Canterbury relying on overseas GK's?

Canterbury's choice to bring in overseas goalkeepers for two seasons running raises interesting questions about short term benefit over developing long term talent, what trust they have in their options available, and what this means for the future of English goalkeepers (not an extreme case though!). Not to knock the goalkeepers involved (given their quality), but this does offer up interesting queries and lines of thought, questioning how, and if England needs to sort out their goalkeeper development, as with the ELP football, in being flooded with quality talent from overseas (i.e. does this open the flood gates?!).

Since his move from Holcombe, Stubbings has seem himself beaten out of first XI games by overseas signings in goal.

Goalkeepers:

  • Edgar Reynaud (French U21's GK), joining from Lyon HC
  • Diccon Stubbings (former England U21s and Holcombe goalkeeper)
  • Simon Triggs (still around as registered third option, just in case!)
Incoming - Edgar Reynaud
Outgoing - Antoni Kindler returns to Canada

Predicted starter:

I do expect Reynaud to start for Canterbury, on the basis that he is young and hungry and happy to fight for his place. Confident (which is so important for goalkeepers), coming off a Junior World Cup where he he took his side to the final, and was a key reason for success, this move is the perfect platform for him to prove his ability and push on up to French senior selection and beyond.


Stubbings seems to have fallen down the pecking order after a big drop in confidence (quite common in young goalkeepers; here, coaching staff need to show confidence and trust in him to help regain form, which is crucial), but may find suitable motivation to make it difficult for Edgar to be a default choice for the team sheet.

Season predictions:

Canterbury have dabbled in strong starts to the season, although last season spluttered a bit, and this season they could finally turn things around. With a reliable and consistent goalkeeper they can attack strongly without fear of the defense crumbling. So in Reynaud they could have a suitable solution. I do expect them to finish around mid-table...

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