A blog for and about hockey goalkeepers and goalkeeping, trying to expand their coverage, given what a niche market it is! Was a little disappointed that there is nothing like this around so thought I'd have a bash at remedying that! Written with a slightly Gonzo journalistic approach.
Thoughts and analysis of the elite. All opinions are my own; can't be bothered with anyone else's after all!
Showing posts with label NOW Pensions hockey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NOW Pensions hockey. Show all posts
With Harry Gibson moving south and coming in to a squad where Ian Scanlon has been the undisputed first choice for quite some time, there were going to be big questions hanging around over how the coaching staff and the team would manage things to keep both goalkeepers happy and fresh (in case of injury and not being 'sharp' for game time and thus costing the team). And with Harry away on international duty in Malaysia, 'Scanners' has stepped back in to support his team mates. A tight loss away to Surbiton in the form of a much improved side, going down by a small margin, against one of the top two sides, away nonethless, just goes to show how much Hampstead are challenging this year and looking to go as far as they can.
Both individual goalkeepers are great athletes who are not the type to develop animosity between each other as they battle it out for game time. In hockey though, where the number one is normally seen as untouchable (with times not taking a reserve to matches and for other reasons), the yo-yo between goalkeepers can be incredibly tricky to handle. The problem being, that training is not gaming, and match practice doesn't always match up to being thrown in at the deep end to get the expected three points. International hockey makes the difficult decision making process of who to go with slightly easier, and it will be interesting to see how Gibson builds off the confidence and self belief from those international experiences (as Scanlon knows all to well) going forward, deep into the season.
With Patrick Smith already signed on the dotted line for East Grinstead, Cannock were going to be looking for a goalkeeper from the outset. Taking over from ex-England international Fair, Smith had a busy season in goal for the Staffordshire side as they avoided the drop in a league that has started to ratchet further up in quality and competitiveness. And with his departure, Cannock are seemingly without a first choice. But, the latest rumour is that they have secured the services of Scottish international David Forrester, who had his debut season in the English national league with Old Loughtonians last season, after a number of leagues in Scotland's own equivalent league. With Allan stepping down and Cachia moving to Beeston to push his development and selection prospects, it would seem a smart move by David who will be no doubt looking to do the same.
If true (as rumours suggest), this would see three Scottish goalkeepers in the Premier league. Not sure if this is a division first, but an interesting stat none the less!
Transfer rumours aside, one key goalkeeper transfer is Allan Dick joining Southgate, with Pinner moving to Holcombe as one of their big summer signings. In Allan, Southgate have an experienced goalkeeper with international experience that has experience of playing in the Premier division with a season of games whilst at Surbiton. As far as I remember correctly, Allan work sees him coaching juniors as part of junior development in the East of London, so travel wise he'd be a little closer than driving down to Kent for the commute at least!
Ironically it's at a strange time for Allan who is moving away from international hockey; if he looked to postpone his retirement, the move to Southgate would help with his development possibilities and international selection competition. With Hibbert stepping down, there was a big void between the posts being left and Southgate have made an astute signing to bring him in as a replacement. Allan is at a peak age for a goalkeeper and he has a lot of experience to back up his credentials but also to offer a calm and concise mind behind his defence as they look to retain their Premier league season in their first season back in a little while (seemingly yo-yoing between the two!).
According to news reports (and info I didn't have access to before!), it seems that Ashley Watson was actually quite busy featuring for Beeston whilst George Pinner was out with a confirmed knee injury that kept him out for seven weeks. Back in action in the Euro Hockey playoffs and now back with international fixtures, he should be good to go for next season, but his absence continues to prove the need for a solid second choice goalkeeper who can do the job whenever they are needed to fill in for the regular choice. And also confirms Ashley's ability to play at this level, having never been involved with the Premier league division previously.
Info is courtesy of BBC sports news. Nice to see BBC finally making more of an effort to cover our dear sport, just a shame that there's room for improvement!
Given the standard choice of playing an incumbent goalkeeper for every game in the season, it's not often you'll see the second choice start games. But Ashley Watson has done just that, so it's worthy noting so. Watson himself had earned himself the inarguable position of for Doncaster before moving to Beeston. Without being able to check in person (don't happen to live up north!) I can't always get the facts right, so thankfully the Internetz provide! The 4-1 result in their favour suggests he can do fine at this level, one division higher than he was playing at. And with the international calendar cranking up, Beeston will probably be calling on his services even more, beyond the two games he has managed this season; including this and at home to Reading, both well recorded wins.
It also looks like he's been wearing specifically matching jersey and shorts, which is quite something. A look you expect footie (soccer) goalkeepers to have, it seems quite dashing, swish and more importantly professional looking for hockey!
Just to prove I wasn't imagining things (still concerned !), I managed to track down some more action photos of Brighton's games, which does show Dave was wearing an elbow pad just on the right arm, after ditching the left one. This probably just verifies how much of a pedantic obsessive I am more than anything, but still feel the need for ! Otherwise reporting on kit for elite level goalies and getting it wrong looks more than Internet hellacrazy!!
Courtesy of SP Action Images, you can see Dave with just an elbow pad on the right arm, with a tubigrip covering it, before he made the switch to no arms:
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?
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.
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!).
For some reason I managed to spot this (doh!), but looks like Dudley is off to Cheltenham...
So with Ible going in as a first choice at Cardiff, Ben is off to a side a little further south (both literally and metaphorically!). With Cheltenham struggling and wanting to stay away from the drop and relegation playoffs, this gives them further options in goal. Giles Rooke will potentially be winding down his career as Dudley's winds upwards. And with Cardiff looking to make a push in Europe with the EHL competition they qualify for, for Wales, Ible gives them some assurance between the posts. Ben is also known for his coaching ability, so will be interesting to see if he takes this with him to his new side. An interesting move regardless, begs questions over who made the catalyst move behind the curtain...
The only real goalkeeping transfer in the January window seems to be Lee Ible who has made the move from Liverpool Uni to Cardiff. With Cardiff pushing for promotion again after their success winning the West conference last season, it looks like they're looking to sure up their back line. Ible, who has caps for Wales and experience playing in the Premier league division for Brooklands MU, will provide Cardiff with a lot of experience going forward. Cardiff currently sit four points behind league leaders Bath, so they'll be making additions to try and repeat their success last season, but also to get one step further, if the opportunity presents itself. Ible has recently taken a step down from national league to focus on working on his coaching CV but with this transfer obviously seems interested in getting back in the thick of things.
With Obo's new rhp design, an improvement on the existing version of the Obo hi rebound rhp on its way into shops in the not-so-distant-future, Sheffield Hallam's starter Jamie Cachia has been spotted wearing the glove in the NOW Pension's premier league division. Scottish international Cachia who has experimented with using the TK rhp design previously, and making the switch over to the Obo design more recently, making good use of it in Sheffield's promotion winning season, he's giving the new version a run out having tried the new Monarch D3O design (made in conjunction with George Pinner's input) early on this season, as blogged about previously. Obo has been testing the design of late with Kyle Pontifex giving it a run out at the London Olympics before going into production stages. With the chance for more movement and wrist turning/rotation to angle rebounds up and away when saving to the right, the glove has been redesigned to allow this, going along the lines of Jimi Lewis and Tommy Alexander's mods that gave the same results.
You can see Cachia here with the glove in use against Surbiton recently:
With South African goalkeeping representation in the form of Southgate's ex-Olympian Chris Hibbert and Isca's Richard Hancocks in the (men's) NOW Pension's hockey league, the English national league format, it's interesting to make note of Marriete Rix being another "import" goalie playing in the women's game. Rix who plies her tradeplaying at Ipswich, has been at the club for a while, whilst representing her country in international fixtures. With Jacques le Roux having got playing experience in Holland and Rassie Pieterse potentially off to the professional Indian hockey league, South Africa is doing well with a crop of talented goalkeeping exports!
Not knowing enough about some of the other team's goalkeeping talent on offer (along with lacking knowledge of the North conference!), I thought I'd finish off coverage of the Western conference with Bath. In Tom Skinner, Bath have an experienced Premier league back-up, who offered Beeston cover when George Pinner was involved in the build up to the Bejing Olympics with the GB training squad, that is capable of playing to a consistent level at national league standard. Whilst Bath had youngster James Bailey for the seasons, who is now at Reading, as he studied at Bath, the team were going to need a solid replacement, consequently wisely drafting in the experienced Skinner. Bath have rebuilt and are looking to dominate the hotly contested West conference of the national league, with barely points separating four challengers, so with a consistent and capable goalkeeper behind them, should be able to go the distance. And this season could be the one, with them currently sitting top of the table coming up to the Christmas break.
Bath also have greater depth than a lot of the other squads in the league, with Dan Cattermole waiting in the wings should anything happen to their prized starter. Dan got national league experience whilst playing at Sevenoaks in their demotion season, having earned his colours in the East Regional Premier leagues. And having got international experience (it still counts!) playing with England mixed, as well as Army representation, is an able goalkeeper should he ever need calling upon!
Being a university side (as the name suggests!) the first eleven University of Birmingham team will have to go through changes as they see in and out new and old faces, so having a regular and consistent goalkeeper to turn to is going to be of great use for a squad in transition each year, as they push on from being able to establish a strong foothold in the league, into being table toppers. And Birmingham are lucky to have GBU21's reserve goalkeeper Pinnegar as their starting goalkeeper for the past few seasons, offering a level of consistency in spite of his age.
Having blogged previously about his playing opportunities, Pinnegar was at Cannock for a short while, but with Patrick Smith now establishing himself for the Staffordshire side after deputisying for London's GB starter Fair, Pinnegar would have struggled to break into the squad, simply because of Smith's own level of experience and Fair's, so signing with Birmingham was a good move considering the need for game time and experience for young goalies to develop and achieve their best as they look to bloom. Birmingham have been doing well the past few seasons and are currently challenging beyond mid-table as they battle it out with other university side Exeter for points, these tough games helping Pinnegar establish himself as a national league starter and for participating in GBU21 action this season.
With the vast majority of teams sorted goalkeeper wise, Isca seem to be unsure as to who to start in goal for them. With the English routine of an incumbent and youngster around just in case, it's always interesting when something crops up that bucks that trend. Isca won promotion with their own talented young goalkeeper (who I can't identify and maybe went to uni, edit = don't know?!), only to replace him with a more experienced starter (pictured below, with the old school vibe going on!) who started their first few games. And as far as I know, Rich Hancocks came in and replaced him as starter. So that's a few changes going on that the defence have to get used to! With Guildford looking to be relegated with certainty, Isca will battle for the relegation playoff spot, playing tight defensively to give them a fighting shot. With a more experienced and communicative starter this should be easier than with the weight of expectations on a goalkeeper with less talent/experience.
Havant have the most goalkeepers registered in any national league
squad for this season upcoming, along with East Grinstead, at the maximum of four. But they arguably have the most depth in the league, although Beeston are in for a good shout as they have enough depth to help them through George Pinner's international training schedule and involvement. Caelen Dillon joins from Winchester, with experience at junior international level,
whilst Ben Cowling, Canterbury's first choice for the latter end of last season, with his own junior experience at U21's a while ago, joins via change of work and life circumstances (or however you phrase it!).
Personally from what I have seen, Cowling is not up to scratch, like some of the goalkeepers in the national league, which can be argued with quantified results, analysis and stats. Cowling's main facet is his unbreakable confidence, which all (something you can learn from the career of Ray Clemence, who would dust himself down and get back at it, every game, as they say). Havant looked like they were going to be back in the Premier league by this season, and were doing really well, with great consistency, but then started to falter, losing their confidence in an unexpected loss away to Guildford.
Yes, Cowling has experience, and some natural talent is there, but just because a
goalkeeper plays behind a strong team it doesn't make him a good
goalkeeper. When judging it should be on current standard of play, it shouldn't be "oh, so and so plays for Man Utd ergo he must be awesome". Cesar at QPR played outstandingly at QPR last season because he had a porous defence in front of him, not the other way round!! I know it sounds harsh, but if we want hockey to be of the same standard as the "professionals", then we have to be critical and push for more analysis and better able athletes in goal, rather than putting whoever wants to go in goal there.
He showed promise to start the season, but then things have seemed to go a little awry. And without that confidence level his game will probably fall to pieces, so he needs to reset and refind his game before the team implode in front of him. A lot like Gomes, sports psychology is incredibly important for goalkeepers; without it athletes struggle, the game is always 90% mental and 10% talent as they say. But it is not just that. I have
seen him get beaten by simple shots, such as when making the choice to log against drag flicks, when playing for Canterbury, which are
unjustifiable at the elite level, showing poor decision making, and will go punished if this type of thing continues. If he were to attack the
ball more rather than be so passive with his size, he would also see different results.
Working with a goalkeeper coach, as they have at Havant, which is quite a rarity in English hockey to be honest, regularly should help him ground his technique for the game. This with working on the fundamentals that are the basis for any elite goalkeeper. But whilst he started strong, things have started to hit a bumpy road.
Here you can see Cowling's newly changed hand positioning
at short corners as he leads his defence on this PC.
The goalkeepers around the club also demonstrate different approaches in technique and kit, which is better for the game. Although, if the team are used to playing with a certain style of goalkeeper and need perhaps to change it up, they need a reserve goalkeeper that can play in this way too. For instance a like for like match; take Freidel playing differently to Lloris for Tottenham and the results, for an analogy! Matt
Weeks featured when Isaacs went down injured last season and Aaron Hoare has featured in the indoor seasons with Isaacs (now at Bromley) not making an
appearance, although it would have been interesting to see him have
adapted his sweeper keeper to indoor with a radical style, if improving on that of Andrew Charter's
throwback development in recent years.
Other than that, Caelen
has got all the skills to be an elite starter down the line, and the make-up of a long term champion,
if he sticks with it and works hard to get there. With goalkeepers
difficult to scout because they mature later, if he sticks to finetuning the technique he has so far, he
should definitely be in contention for senior international selection. In my opinion he could have a similar "career" (for
some reason ) path like Jimi Lewis, like when he himself was
at Havant. He's grounded and shows maturity and the desire to improve, which reflects in his play.
He took over as first chance for England U18's over the summer by battling for the shirt at the recent
Junior tournament in Spain. He is confident with his feet on short corners, a
facet of the contemporary game which allows better rebound control and reactive saves, and shows a strong, grounded base of technique, plus the confidence and game psychology to go with it. And these are sure
signs of true potential.
Leading the pack of the veterans of the English national league is stalwart "old timer" (meant positively using the American slang of the NHL and beyond!) who offers a different approach to the game and an intense level of consistency for the team he plays for. With a style of hybridised technique and broad depth. With his wealth of experience and level of consistency, he is an example of elite level goalkeeping for others to learn from, and has great insight into the game, on a higher level of thinking.
Mason provides an incredibly stable presence "between the sticks" for the Surrey outfit, a high level of goalkeeper and player that Guildford can rely on to bail them out of trouble and keep them in games or keep them "leveled up" (i.e. ahead of the opposition on that front!), as he practically steals wins for them with his play. For instance, in their win at home over a strong side in Havant (which I was lucky enough to get alone to, a great goalie performance to watch). But I think sometimes they can end up over relying on the ex-GB Olympian as they sometimes expect more of him than the required effort of playing as a team!
Whilst his playing style might hark back to a game from days gone by, he proffers an important signature on the coaching of goalkeepers. He plays a style that is totally unique to him and whilst now all sports seem to be obsessed with coaching a system for all, rather than coaching out the natural born (god given, however you want to phrase it!) talents, to the detriment of goalkeepers' development. I would go as far as saying coaches should coach goalkeepers appropriate to the goalkeeper, and place emphasis on the positives of playing as Mason does. With his extreme height, agility, athleticism, and ability to read the game like a chess board (like Hasek did in the NHL and the best natural shot stoppers purely do!).
Mason plays a style that is unique to his physiological nature and inherent talents, a sort of Pat Jennings of hockey, with his long limbed lackadasical approach, a lot like Triggs (who could probably also be playing if he wanted to, given his level of talent!). For goalie coaches and developing goalkeepers alike, he is a goalkeeper to inspire, encourage and learn from, if England hope to ever have another star goalkeeper in their midst. Rather than copy literally, it's important to focus on the goalkeeper as their own goalkeeper, rather than the "next Simon Mason" as England hockey seems to be obsessed with, though!
At Fareham, they are very fortunate to have a solid elite level goalkeeper in George Harris. Much like Simon Mason is the rock upon which the team is built at Guildford (currently struggle as a result of a loss of key players), Fareham are able to push further up the league for honours because of his abilities. Providing an aura of calm and consistency, as every coach wants from their goalkeeper, Harris is arguably one of the best goalkeepers around the league.
Whilst this may be a step down from the level he is used to, as I firmly believe he is still capable of playing for a Premier league side, he is the back bone of this squad and is still capable of athletic double saves and such despite his age. This level of experience cannot be bought or gained through short cuts and having fought his way to the top via a stint at Old Loughtonians, he has that battling mindset against adversity that sets him apart from the competition. On Potton's return from Loughborough Students, Harris was phased out of his involvement with the team, in spite of providing them with the ability to up his game and push them further on in the Euro Hockey League, something Potton has really struggled with, from both sides of the argument.
Kit wise, gone are the days when Harris was wearing a helmet/cage "combo" at Old Louts, having moved to an Obo mask, but is still in ice hockey elbow pads. He has made the significant switch from Obo to Mercian for foam (kickers, pads and gloves), but also gone for the new style Mercian rhp. Interestingly, he was using the thinner profile rhp design (Obo hi control) for quite some time previous, only making the not-so-recent-now (!) switch to the larger blocking profile style rhp (Obo hi rebound) in the season that Potton joined.
But much like Rooke, Fareham will struggle without a goalkeeper of his quality, when he does finally have to make the decision of stepping away from the game at this level of competition.
With Cheltenham having avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, as Whitchurch went down, and they scrapped it out for survival in the relegation playoffs, they are still sticking with their first choice in Rooke. At the age of post-30 and post twilight years of goalkeeping, Rooke joins a unique club in the national league, with only Mason (as the oldest!), Hibbert and Harris of a similar age. Whilst this is not always heard of, Clemence played for a 35 year career in football, Hasek played until post-40 in the NHL, as did Belfour, and so on, so Rooke can still provide Cheltenham "with the goods as they say"! The years of experience, knowledge of angles and positioning merges with natural reaction speeds, like Buffon shows in his goalkeeping displays. It is no bad thing and is easier for a coach to turn to a wily veteran than a youngster they are worried about placing their trust in.
At 35 he still has it and is still very athletic. But seems to struggle with some basics, like kicking (approach, run up, angle, distance of clearance/power etc. etc.). With no competition to push him, or regular goalkeeper coaching, bad habits can easily sneak in, as I have found myself. From seeing him play in person, it seems going back to basics (focusing on each shot shot-by-shot and simple things like kicking etc.) will help him dominate the league, when combined with his in-built qualities. When he does finally hang up the pads, they will potentially struggle to find a goalkeeper of the same ability and experience to provide them with elite goalkeeping.
With Monarch upping their business profile and the opportunities provided for players with their new D30 innovations, there seem to be a few goalkeepers around the English national league wearing their foam. Along with long time Monarch wearer Giles Rooke and Ben Dudley, others are joining Monarch's team. One of these new sponsees includes the University of Birmingham's starter, prefering the plain black/white edge colour combo as Tom Millington at Wimbledon has been seen wearing.
Having played in place of James Fair in cup games last season, it would seem that Patrick Smith is getting the chance to step out of his deputy role at the moment. With George Pinner taking over the England mantel, Fair would seemingly be stepping down and away from the level of dedication for training and match days to push for a position in the international set-up. So this would have potential knock on effects at club level and it seems management are pushing the future into the present, with Smith being given the chance to start games, rather than outplay him for the position, in the vein of incumbent starter role system as would come across as the most popular format in hockey. Haven't not been to any games in person and no footage around the net, I can't be certain, but going by game photography this seems to be the case.
