You're awfully confident here. I suppose it's possible that you have some special insight into how high-level coaches think. But I can't see why coaches would be different from any other decisionmaker. If a boss has two employees of comparable abilities but one is stronger in an area that the boss prioritizes, then the boss will pick that employee. The decision gets a lot easier when one is at the end of his career and the other hasn't reached his prime, of course.
To attempt to give you an idea of how far asinine your theory is--it would be the same as if you told me Boas wasn't going to start Gareth Bale because his replacement's throw in's are better. Then imagine you supporting that decision because Boas prioritizes throw in ability. If that were real life, Andres Villas Boas would be a terrible manager. Same as if he started a lesser keeper because he could pass the ball better. If there is a manager somewhere who subscribes to your school of thought, his days are probably quite numbered.
The position you're arguing with might be well asinine. But it's not my position, so I wouldn't know. I'm saying it's possible that Villas Boas might have considered Friedel a marginally better shot-stopper but nonetheless eventually picked Lloris as his starter in part because Llloris helps Tottenham play a style of defense that will help the team achieve better results overall. The other big reasons--bigger ones in the long term--were that Lloris is much younger and that Spurs had just paid a lot of money for him. That's so far from arguing that AVB should bench Bale in favor of somebody who takes better throw-ins that I'm perplexed you even bring it up. Obviously, Villas Boas thought it was a pretty close call between the two at the time. Or he wouldn't have started Friedel in goal for as many games as he did before putting in Lloris. I think it's a pretty good guess that he didn't keep Friedel on the pitch initially out of sentimentality for a player whom he inherited, especially when the was starting a new coaching job in which he needed to do well from the start.
Lloris replaced Friedel because of the money invested in Lloris and his "potential" for the future. Nothing else.
You are referring to decision making as opposed to technique, which I am addressing. Repetition, repetition, repetition develops "instinct". You are not born with keeper instinct IMO. I agree with your statement re athletic keepers and discipline somewhat. I think discipline is more difficult for the "aggressive" keeper though. Maybe the athletic keeper is more aggressive. BTW, Howard has not been beaten with balls over his head in a good long time IIRC. IMO he has since corrected that flaw as I have stated in other threads previously. I am of the mindset that keeper coaches, and all coaches for that matter, need to raise the bar in this country. Just like players need to be pushed, so do coaches. But who does the pushing with coaches ?
Unsighted on a free kick. Gets beat to his left. Hardly the same as the one in Azteca in 2009 were he was beaten from OPEN play almost directly over his head which I was referring to.
This is well said. Totally agree. (I remember you and I had a different opinion awhile back re: GK tactics) but you hit the nail on the head... Whether a keeper is "overly aggressive" or too cautious is hindsight stuff... You want your keeper to play the style where is most comfortable.. (For example, De Jea is a great shot stopper. wonderful distribution but is an accident waiting to happen on set pieces... Everyone knows this. Not rocket science. He simply doesn't have the ability to command the penalty box.) My point is that you will rarely find a keeper who has all the abilities perfected. You p;ick your poison...
Thanks, tbh, I really don't recall us having disagreed . . This is absolutely true, the best ones are those who know their shortcomings and work on them. This is a great example. Part of De Gea's concern is that he is so young that he has not filled out physically yet. Folks get physical with him on nearly every one of these occasions and that can be brutal in the BPL. Commanding the penalty box can be challenging for a young keeper, whose native tongue is not English. Early on, his language skills were a concern. These are two skills which may ultimately become strengths. One thing is for certain, like Howard did, he has some of the best training in the world at ManU. This is true, the only exception I can think of might be Iker Casillas, who started for Real Madrid at 19 made the Spain team at 21 and was full captain of Spain at 27. Rare air, indeed.
Howard had a few nice saves, but was partially at fault on the second goal. I think a switch at GK may happen soon. Guzan is the better GK.
We are very blessed to have a fine stable of outstanding (and also young, emerging) goalkeepers. Here is an article on England's recent concerns: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/the-rio-report/winning-race-become-england-number-122252994.html That no player in any of the aforementioned leagues has committed more errors leading to opposition goals this season than Hart (3), who plays for a team with a normally solid defence, speaks volumes about his current form and state of mind. He has also only saved 65.5% of the shots on target he has faced in Premier League games this season, a rate some way down on anything he achieved in his 3 other seasons for City (78.7% in 2010/11, 74% in 2011/12, 67.2% in 2012/13). For a number of years his declining performances have been blamed on a lack of competition for both club and country, and it is about time Hart got the scare that might spark a resurgence in form.
Well, for sure Hart has played poorly recently, ultimately giving up his job at City. Hart is still probably the best keeper of the lot, just a run of bad form. The England friendlies may be just the thing to get him back on track, if he gets the nod. It's a very tough decision to change goalkeepers in the middle of a cycle. Remember Robert Green's bungle on Clint Dempsey's shot in the last WC? They had some problems in the last cycle, too. I'm sure many thought England's problems had been solved with Hart. Again, we are lucky to have choices, now. And more coming through the pipeline.
Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta1h Former US U-20 GK Cody Cropper is on the bench today for Southampton as they host Brad Guzan and Aston Villa. #usmnt
A really good read on keepers and their comfort zones. Includes a stats analysis of Howard and Guzan (alongside the rest of EPL keepers): http://differentgame.wordpress.com/2013/12/05/the-keepers-comfort-zone/
For people interested in watching a kid that looks like the future of the goalkeeping position................watch Zack Steffen of Maryland in the College Cup Final. Kid has "it."
Yep. UVA was the better team but couldn't finish well enough and made exactly 2 defensive mistakes. MD had two players who made the difference. Mullins and Steffen.