With the England U21's in action again, depth in goalkeepers has became obvious yet again. If this was any other country, then questions would be being asked of the future generation of goalkeeping depth. England have switched goalkeepers in the men's team for a while now, and there needs to be more definition or security in the future for this to go. Thankfully, yes, there is more openness in the selections with Loughborough players previously being the mainstay and Exeter producing quite a few stars of late, but for goalkeeping there are still big question marks. Though, more of over depth from top to bottom, which competition at all levels meaning more goalkeepers to turn to, should coaches ever need to.
A lot like the situation where Ian Scanlon played for the U21's in the 2009 U21's World Cup and the AYOF (Australian Youth Olympics) in the same season, the current U21's coaching staff have turned to whoever is available again. Why Scanlon was dropped I don't know, with Bailey struggling against the elite level drag flicks against India etc. (still feel the demands on him were too high and was a speed bump of development).
Tom Pinnegar (first choice at the University of Birmingham) who benched for Harry at the U21's World Cup this season gone, is now 22 meaning he is illegible to play. Theo Dowse, benching at Indian Gymkhana, was turned to. Called into the squad to be there to do the same for Loughborough's Harry Gibson.
Not to insult either Harry or Theo, but as a nation, England needs greater depth in goalkeepers. Take Holland's World Cup team; Vorm and Krul have both suffered significant injures all season leaving Zoet and Clissen, both young and inexperienced in comparison. Mental strength is a hidden intangible that not all youngsters have and to play at this level as a goalkeeper is very mentally and emotionally demanding, with the weight of a nation's hopes put on young shoulders.
A similar situation like James Bailey's call-up is something England need to avoid going forward, be that in both sports. It's not always a great idea to be forced into that position, rushing a goalkeeper's development because of lack of depth: pushing a young goalkeeper too far with such high expectations can have disastrous consequences as they lose confidence in themselves and everything then falls to pieces. This doesn't happen at the younger levels because of schooling and sports programmes, but for some reason, at university age things filter off for goalkeepers available.
Given the circumstances of a non-mainstream sport and its status can mean a small crop of elite talent. And yes, university can put greater demands on players. English football seems to be in a similar situation and should be sorted ASAP if England wants the same depth from Buffon to Scuffet for their sporting goalies. Goalkeepers are a difficult one to scout and strong goalkeepers can lead people into thinking their next generation is just as good. If a batch of goalkeepers come through in one go then it can hide any flaws in those waiting their turn.
But English hockey need to start pulling the finger out and implementing greater coaching systems, from club to school, with a feedback system between all levels to ensure true talent is properly developed and pushed along as seen fit. Compare England's goalkeeping ranks in football to hockey. If we want to see strongly developed, educated decision making goalkeepers at all levels, then we need to put in place a system that can last for decades. Finland's ice hockey programme speaks for itself and is done on small funds; it's not impossible, it just requires effort and heart!
A lot like the situation where Ian Scanlon played for the U21's in the 2009 U21's World Cup and the AYOF (Australian Youth Olympics) in the same season, the current U21's coaching staff have turned to whoever is available again. Why Scanlon was dropped I don't know, with Bailey struggling against the elite level drag flicks against India etc. (still feel the demands on him were too high and was a speed bump of development).
Tom Pinnegar (first choice at the University of Birmingham) who benched for Harry at the U21's World Cup this season gone, is now 22 meaning he is illegible to play. Theo Dowse, benching at Indian Gymkhana, was turned to. Called into the squad to be there to do the same for Loughborough's Harry Gibson.
Not to insult either Harry or Theo, but as a nation, England needs greater depth in goalkeepers. Take Holland's World Cup team; Vorm and Krul have both suffered significant injures all season leaving Zoet and Clissen, both young and inexperienced in comparison. Mental strength is a hidden intangible that not all youngsters have and to play at this level as a goalkeeper is very mentally and emotionally demanding, with the weight of a nation's hopes put on young shoulders.
A similar situation like James Bailey's call-up is something England need to avoid going forward, be that in both sports. It's not always a great idea to be forced into that position, rushing a goalkeeper's development because of lack of depth: pushing a young goalkeeper too far with such high expectations can have disastrous consequences as they lose confidence in themselves and everything then falls to pieces. This doesn't happen at the younger levels because of schooling and sports programmes, but for some reason, at university age things filter off for goalkeepers available.
Given the circumstances of a non-mainstream sport and its status can mean a small crop of elite talent. And yes, university can put greater demands on players. English football seems to be in a similar situation and should be sorted ASAP if England wants the same depth from Buffon to Scuffet for their sporting goalies. Goalkeepers are a difficult one to scout and strong goalkeepers can lead people into thinking their next generation is just as good. If a batch of goalkeepers come through in one go then it can hide any flaws in those waiting their turn.
But English hockey need to start pulling the finger out and implementing greater coaching systems, from club to school, with a feedback system between all levels to ensure true talent is properly developed and pushed along as seen fit. Compare England's goalkeeping ranks in football to hockey. If we want to see strongly developed, educated decision making goalkeepers at all levels, then we need to put in place a system that can last for decades. Finland's ice hockey programme speaks for itself and is done on small funds; it's not impossible, it just requires effort and heart!
