EPL Goalkeeper Reviews

Now that the EPL (English Premier League) 2022/23 season is underway, I will be doing weekly reviews on selected goals conceded by the defensive line. I would emphasise that all opinions are of my own knowledge and experience on how i analyse performances relating to professional goalkeepers. Some of my critics might not agree with my method of scrutiny, and that’s ok. We all have in us a power to cultivate analytical criteria based on our perception and level of awareness. This is why communities with like minded ideologies and philosophies pertaining to a particular social, political, economical construct are created to exchange and debate theories and hypothesis. I would love nothing more than readers engaging and dialoguing on subjective matters.

As mentioned, I will select matches that has the content for the subject matter to be reviewed. For now, I will be reviewing goals conceded in the ELP and in future postings will include games from Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and many more, and the subject matter is goalkeeper positioning and technique application. For this blog, I’ve selected 4 games Manchester United vs Brighton and Hove, Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest, Fulham vs Liverpool and Leeds United vs Wolverhampton FC

Manchester United vs Brighton and Hove

Being a Manchester United supporter, I was disappointed by the result but not surprised especially with the goalkeepers performance. In my opinion, there has been endless debate regarding the competency of the goalkeepers level of ability. One thing I would say is that his level of awareness is haplessly on the downside and this has an enormous effect on his defensive line. The first goal conceded should have never happened.

The video footage illustrates the poor decision making from the goalkeeper. The low cross from the Brighton striker that eventually found his teammate at the top right of the picture for the finish, was driven inside the 6 yard box. The goalkeeper though it was a good idea to execute the spread save but to his dismay, he immediately realised he couldn’t get to the ball with his left foot, leaving him completely exposed for the winger at the top right to score. This is a classic example of how the spread save has been overplayed when all the goalkeeper had to do was dive low to cut out the cross. This particular technical skill (low dives across the 6 yard box to cut out crosses) is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game. Wingers and strikers are getting a lot more positive returns from this particular tactical play, as they are aware that many goalkeepers aren’t making the necessary adjustments in their methods of approach.

Fulham vs Liverpool

Another failed attempt to execute the spread save was attempted by the goalkeeper for Fulham FC, which in my opinion looks very lethargic. In this scenario, again a low cross from the right found the striker with a stylish back heel finish, who was tracked unconvincingly by the center back

Again the low cross was inside the 6 yard box. Now my opinion on this can be debatable but I believe the goalkeeper was at an advantage to dive low and cut out the cross before the striker got to the ball but the key decision here depends of the bravery of the goalkeeper. There is a possible injury risk (clattering on the strikers boots) and I suspect this has been the case over the years after what happened to Petr Cech for Chelsea FC over 15 years ago, sustaining a fractured skull while clattering into the opposition midfielder. He ended up wearing a head gear for the rest of his career to protect his skull, a reminder of the dangers goalkeepers encounters in any given situation. This is why bravery is one of the most valuable asset a goalkeeper can aquire to becoming great.

Leeds United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Goalkeepers should not be beaten on the near post is a statement that has its fair share of debate among the goalkeeping community. Some goalkeepers go as far as claiming its a fallacy, as Kasper Schmeichel once proclaimed. Yet the embarrassment expressed by goalkeepers after being beaten on the near post is all too evident

Illustrated in the images, the goalkeeper made a mess in attempt what seems to be a routine stop. A classic example of a rabbit caught in the headlights moment the goalkeeper got his set position out of sync, ending up in the final position as the ball finds its way into the net in the third image. A high percentage of goals scored at the near post is due to momentary lack of concentration and the absence of anticipation. This is the sole reason why goalkeepers get crushed after being beaten at the near post, regardless of them being fully aware of this fact or not.

Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest

It goes without saying that set positioning and agility goes hand in hand in producing the desired results when it comes to making saves. From my observations over the past decades in the game, in general these two disciplines has suffered a decline in quality and competency when it comes to execution. The two goals conceded by the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper illustrate my point

It’s becoming very common to see big goalkeepers lacking effortless agility in their discipline and it is increasingly becoming more evident when they get pressured with speculative strikes outside the 18 yard box from outfield players. The only tall/big goalkeepers I can recollect had exceptional agility are Edwin Van De Sar and the current Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.

When the set positioning is deployed correctly, then the agility mindset is alerted in anticipation for the imminent onslaught. But relying on frame size to accommodate the absence of agility coupled with mediocre footwork will only get one as far as its worth. In reference to the first goal, the goalkeeper seemed rather unsure about how best to deal with the shot and as a result his movement was rather clumsy. The movement and set positioning for the second goal wasn’t optimal, creating a weak attempt to make the save. The goalkeeper should have done better for both goals conceded.

I would like to know your points of view in the comment section if you agree or if you think I was too harsh with my evaluation.

Lastly, being in tuned with awareness for 90 minutes or so, is all that is being asked of a goalkeeper out of the 24 hrs of the day. Awareness keeps one in the mindset of anticipation and the commonly known adage expect the unexpected scenarios.. or else one will end up in a rattling situation illustrated here

I’ll be back next week for more roundups so in the meantime, have a great week!

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