Potton major boost for Sevenoaks

In a move similar to that of his predecessor (George Harris) at East Grinstead, who went to play for Fareham where he has been a rock for their defence, Potton has left the Premier league side and joined Sevenoaks in their national league push this season. With EG signing Patrick Smith from Cannock and him taking the position of incumbent first choice goalkeeper, a move seemed likely for regular playing time (I don't know too many national league goalkeepers that are happy to bench!) and with Giles Deakin there already, various connections made the move obvious.

Potts brings with him a wealth of experience (playing in Euro Hockey League action along with Premier league apperances) and an elite level playing standard (being involved in the England squad when Brothers was unavailable and a broken toe removing other options for cover for example). With him to organise the defence, Sevenoaks can really benefit and attack with confidence in not conceding.

Interestingly, the coaching staff have gone ahead with giving both Giles and Potts playing time during games, rather than a game split (i.e. one game on, one game off) between the duo. This is interesting because of how the defence has to respond to the changes, and the affect it has on the goalkeepers.

Like changing a QB (quarter back) in American Football as a parallel as the goalkeeper is the bedrock of the defensive line, the goalkeepers themselves have to work on their concentration and effort, giving it all they've got for their half, whilst being alert to any dangers. They also need to communicate well with their defenders and come to an understanding to match their playstyles so that the defence gets used to the goalkeeper behind them for the next 35 minutes and so on, if continued throughout the season.

Given their league position so far (joint third), I'm sure they can go into the second half of the season with confidence pushing for winning results.

Potts is sure to be acknowledged for his efforts, with his indoor experience coming in handy as well with the Oaks' success in the Super Sixes currently.

http://spactionimages.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/20151018-Southgate-v-Sevenoaks/G0000zLNRAiW8eSk/I0000a.m6vcru8hI/C0000c4Rt8kydBRU

http://www.hockeyimages.co.uk/4j67329-1

Still no sight of Neusser...

Having attended the East Grinstead game last Sunday, it still seems to be a case of Neusser not being around for 1's fixtures. In all random relatedness, it seems more like a sort of trying to sight the-lesser-spotted-Neusser, with him not even benching. Even when Hamish Coates signed with Hampstead last season he was benching. Not being around the set-up to know much about training sessions and if he has been there to push Potton at training, but with the Sussex side back on scoring form they don't need their goalkeeper to be lights out when they can simply steamroller teams through offensive power. Who knows if the idea was to put psychological pressure on Potton to see him play better (and rank it up a notch), but from an external perspective seems rather random. I will get round to finally posting up analysis of if he would have what it takes to play at this level, but due to ill physical health of late (it's like flu but not flu and still waiting for the doctor's to work it out!) haven't managed to get round to it yet.

East Grinstead already had their young benching goalkeeper Jack Edgerton playing 2s to gain playing experience, with the 3s withdrawn from the London Higgins League, so seems a little strange to make this level of commitment without involving him in games.

Potton still starting for EG

So it looks like Potton is still first choice for now at East Grinstead, in spite of the signing of Czech international Filip Neusser. And with the high scoring squad not needing a high level goalkeeper to be a difference maker (kind of what you'd expect of a Brazilian football side who see the goalkeeper as the worst player on the field in the first place for some reason!), one wonders why the signing took place. While Neusser was awarded 'goalkeeper of the tournament' for the club indoor championships at the K2 for his performances, helping out the Sussex side in the indoor format, he seems as yet to start in outdoor games for the side. Having attended parts of the home game against Hampstead & Westminster, it will be interesting to see/find out if he makes the team sheet tomorrow (given no goalkeeper was on the bench today), so for now Potton is goalie supreme for EG 1's.

Topsy turvy game at Saint Hill

East Grinstead managed to topple Canterbury again, this time in their home fixture, although it wasn't the free running 9-1 game they managed last time. Whilst Canterbury were first to tally, they seemed to break down defensively, consistently scoring and then failing to hold the lead. This kind of struggle between pushing up and defending seemed to be their downfall and the team structuring and unit play that helped them achieve their success last season seems to be causing problems this one. If they could keep their lead, from having been now able to catch a game in person, they would be well on their well to clicking as a team and running away with it. And if so would be higher up the table than they are, currently doing themselves a disservice with their play.

Having struggled last season and early on this season for a little while in the 2s, Diccon Stubbings was back in goal for the Kent side. I was expecting Kindler to be playing (and tbh was hoping he would be so I could get a look-in in person), so I assume the coaching staff are looking to shake things up at the back to try and see what they can do to improve performances and get better results. Stubbings seemed able to make a few spectacular saves, but then struggled with shots near him or at times when he would have been better to step off his line and close down the attacker. Tactical decisions, important at this level, like changing the corner defence, with someone needed on the right person, with him unable to extend to reach out to that exposure with the low drag flick that beat him twice, could have helped things as well.

In spite of his stance for short corners, which seems to have been changed again ever so slightly, rather just having his hands limp at his sides lackadaisically, he wasn't able to reach the low, excellently placed drag flicks from East Grinstead's attacking section. Game psychology could be another area for question, as he seemed to get caught up in the tidal wave of goals allowed that can easily put off a goalkeeper from performing at their best, which ironically their team needs of them. He was unfortunate to have faced a spot flick very early on which he could do little to stop, but at times his use of the rhp and choice of rhp perhaps, intending to use its blocking surface to its maximum, was an obvious weakness, as he was beaten past his outstretched hand.

Stubbings' PC stance.

Potton didn't have much to do, but made a double save that almost became a three save sequence at a corner, as the ball bounced up and over, managing to get across to get something on it, to no avail unfortunately. But that battling instinct is something not always seen in his play, which is a good sign for desire and will to go the distance. He was also well beaten by a well placed flick into the top right corner exactly, showing a vulnerability with height/positioning awareness, and continuing the argument about attacking depth at corners according to reaction time and reaching the ball from a close angle, as demonstrated in this save at 5:30, link: Jenniskens save

It wasn't really the best game goalie wise to see for analysis/interest, although the score line would have made it entertaining for the home fans. East Grinstead continue to show that given their strengths as a high scoring team, goalkeeper isn't going to be a massive issue, a lot like Brazil really, until it gets to the clash of the titans in the league/Euro Hockey League etc. Whilst Canterbury prove they need to be able to hold a lead, instead of constantly shooting themselves in the foot by breaking down negatively.

Concentration key for Potton?

Having seen East Grinstead in action two weekends ago, one thing that stood out when reconsidering their goalkeeping situation, is that concentration is going to be an issue for anyone stepping in between the posts for the team. EG have always been strong going forward and playing in a concise form, playing with a team structure, which means break throughs in through the defence are going to be difficult. And for goalkeepers, having little to do except move around the area and go adrift in their thoughts, is going to be an issue, as it's difficult to keep apace with the action. But if a breakthrough does occur, the opposition will be going to make the most of the scoring opportunity and try and put a goal on through, especially if chances are few and far between.

One of the goals conceded against Beeston which could have been stopped with a different
selection of saving technique and greater alertness.

So when considering goalie performance, I think it's a case of concentration. Without much to do, Potton can struggle because of this, and because EG play so well, with regards to England call ups a change in pace and team play means having to come off his line more or be more active requires two different styles of play for differing roles. And concentration is one of the biggest and possibly often overlooked elite skills for any goalkeeper. If a goalkeeper is to play behind a potentially table topping forward playing team, they need to be able to be alert to the danger and "wake up" and respond to threats as they happen, rather than working into a rhythm through quantity of shots faced.

A goalkeeper with a reduced workload can often struggle with this, so it's something to be worked on off and on the pitch. Rather than a specific technique related to the act of save making, it is a case of the brain working and the goalie "being on the zone" even when the ball is nowhere near their D. Psychology can be considered a technical aspect of the game, even if it is just not as apparent, but still just as important. And for Potton to really push himself, I think it's more a case of staying alert for when he does need to be called on, as the key link in the chain.

Potton or no one for East Grinstead?

Whilst the title is an attempt at poetic prose, it is essentially Potton or else for the West Sussex powerhouse side. For East Grinstead, the options are thin and imbalanced, or at least at a terrifically critical sense in that it's a lot like Man City and Joe Hart; there just isn't even competition or someone breathing down his neck to push Potts and get the best out of him. With Potton as first choice, they have a long term starter who has been playing at this level from the age of 22; he's 26 now and was brought into the squad in the 2009/10 season, beating Harris out of the top spot.

Potton has shown he has got what it takes, but at times he isn't always himself or what we come to expect of him. When David Kettle was there, having chosen to push himself to break into an established side at premier league level at that point in time, over the chance to play at Holcombe, Potton seemed to be the slightly beaten out. As the game against Hampstead illustrates, when they were splitting time (halves of games), Kettle got a clean sheet and Potton conceded one; it's a marginal difference, but at this level, to the acute level is how you analyse these details.

For me, I thought Kettle was the better one of the two at the time. He helped the squad progress and offered a greater presence for the back four. He is still going strong at the club, but the desire and fight of Potton meant perhaps he was letting himself down a little. This isn't to say that Potton, not at all, just that if I were a GB coach (he was actually brought into the full England squad as a reserve when Brothers went down injured about four years ago at an international tournament). It's like the criticism Mannone faced at Arsenal, which was pretty undue, given his athleticism, confidence and ability versus say Almunia. Not to sound pig headed or unnecessarily critical, but just because you play at a great club or team, it doesn't make you the best thing around (plus you might not have too much work to do!). Just happening to be playing for a good and well respected team doesn't automatically mean you are as a good as the team in front of you. Imagine De Gea and Man United. Potton had good competition in his time at Loughborough (Tom Millington, then Phil Carr, although I'm not sure if he'd graduated by then), and this is something I feel he needs, to bring the best out of his game as he fights for starts rather than simply given them (as most goalies at this level are, based on a respect based system).

Having said all that though, you can't knock him for his consistency, which is something you don't see a lot of at this level. He has a structure of grounded basics which you don't see much in the national league either, with so many goalies making those 'gasp worthy' saves but giving away cheap goals through simple mistakes. So this is where his quality lies, unlike other goalkeepers at other clubs. One of his standout strong points though, is his voice. It's strong and bold and short and sharp and is an extra man through his voice. Again, not something you see much at this level, which is weird for this level of sport, but an important quality to have.

He also likes to make use of the splits against short corners, making the most of his hand/foot co-ordination and speedy reactions which is feet, which is an interesting given his size, but is a style becoming very prevalent at this level right now (need to do a write up on it at some point!). And I don't see how his size is a negative anyway; his height doesn't hinder his play and he does well in all aspects of the goalkeeping game. His stance is a lot more like the Australian "X stance", with him in essence . He is aggressive in the right ways (versus Bristow's approach at times say). He's not bad at indoor either (that's a jokey compliment, because he is good!) and will help EG compete in the Super Sixes and in Europe if they don't bring back Neusser.

He is quick off his line to shut down attacks, comfortable to engage in shutting down attacks in this way as a modern goalie than simply staying rooted to his line. And EG aren't the same team they have been before, with core members moving away, say to Holcombe in search of glory, so his performances aren't always reflected in the score line. You can't score for them; you're the one in goal! He , and after his performance in the Euro Hockey League last season, I can see him having a breakout season in the sense of maturity; 26 is a good age for a goalie (the qualifying year for international hockey as a goalie in Australia generally to ensure level headedness), combining years of experience and a strong head on good shoulders with reflexes and agility of youth, so he could really go for it this season and see EG atop the league again, where they arguably should be.

For reserve choices, that is where East Grinstead seems more strong than, at least in experience and future prospects. Paul Colthram who was at Reading for a season (I think, if I remember right) and nearly joined Oxted in the 2009 season, so can step in if anything were to happen to EG's first choice. Then they have Richard's brother Mark who was at Loughborough (if I'm not mistaken) and then Jack who has studied at one of the Whitgifts (Mid or Trinity?!), although has not yet featured for England juniors, but has promise if he works hard and developing, already given playing opportunities in friendlies last year, as well as benching for Potton in a lot of games.

For this season, I think Potton will do well again as he pushes himself to prove any doubters wrong (guess I could class myself as one), but I think EG aren't going to lie down as they say and let a poor season define things. If the team in front of him do better, his hard work will really pay off. If they rebuild well, as they have, I can see East Grinstead winning the league again and making the most of Potton's long career in goal for them, but for now, they need to crack on with that hard work to get back into European competition. Without Potton they will definitely lose points, as shown in the home display against HWHC last season where he was the difference maker in retaining a clean short in spite of quality scoring chances for a 1-0 win. Onwards and upwards, and I'll think he'll have a good year this year, helping him impress the scouts again, given his opportunities with England A.