What do Wolves, Southampton and Palace have in common? The obvious answer is that they are the bottom three clubs in the Premier league. But what do Sam Johnstone, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson have in common? They play for those clubs and have all been in the England team in the last year. Coincidence, some reflection on current state of English goalkeeping, bad luck or would those teams be worse off with different ‘keepers? Don’t have the answers, but seems an interesting conundrum!
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Bottom three connection
- Topic starter Vectis
- Start date
joe_cpfc
Member
- Location
- Basingstoke
- Country
England
Apart from one mistake I think Henderson has been one of the best keepers in the league. Never understood the stick he gets. I put it down to us spending a lot of money on him when we was desperate for other positions and he became a scapegoat for that. Imagine what might have happened last season though when Johnstone got that injury, we would have had Mathews in goal for quite a while so for me it was a great signing.
BromleyMonkey
Member
- Country
-
England
Back in the day, the two best sides in the country and Europe as well really, Liverpool and Forest had the two best English keepers in Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton.
All three Vectis mentioned have been at big 6 clubs, Johnstone and Henderson at Man Utd and Ramsdale at Arsenal, so I suppose you could say they had their chance
All three Vectis mentioned have been at big 6 clubs, Johnstone and Henderson at Man Utd and Ramsdale at Arsenal, so I suppose you could say they had their chance
Dogburger
Member
- Country
-
England
Back in the day British goalkeepers and English ones in particular were head and shoulders above anywhere else (bar the odd exception) in the World . If a top club needed a new goalkeeper they wouldn't be looking in South America or Europe ,keepers that can't catch a cold because they spend too much time playing football are no good to anyone .They would be looking in South Shields or Scunthorpe . Bristol was even known to turn out the odd good one 😉
But that was when goalkeepers were goalkeepers . Some rule changes , lighter balls and tactical changes have meant the goalkeeper had to be a footballer along with his traditional abilities .This has gradually become more important with the passing of time . The sweeper keeper is now as important as a 20 goal a season striker .
Which has meant the English goalkeepers have fallen behind a little so the OP may have a point . Im sure our lads will be as good as any other as the youngsters brought up playing football as well as goalkeeping come through the ranks .
But that was when goalkeepers were goalkeepers . Some rule changes , lighter balls and tactical changes have meant the goalkeeper had to be a footballer along with his traditional abilities .This has gradually become more important with the passing of time . The sweeper keeper is now as important as a 20 goal a season striker .
Which has meant the English goalkeepers have fallen behind a little so the OP may have a point . Im sure our lads will be as good as any other as the youngsters brought up playing football as well as goalkeeping come through the ranks .
Interesting and informative thoughts. Yes I recall the days when English goalkeepers were accepted as being the best and there was serious strength in depth. Remember, our own late great John Jackson couldn’t even get in the England squad despite being one of the main, if not the only reason, why Palace managed to stay in the top division of English football for 4 seasons between 1969-73.
Also it was always considered poor form not to catch the ball on every possible occasion. Punching it away was virtually last resort. And that was when balls were heavy, slippery and there were no specialist gloves to help. Now with their foam palms and lighter balls the gloves ‘stick’ to even wet footballs and yet catching is far less commonplace. It’s one of the changes nowadays, like ‘keepers needing to adopt a ‘sweeper’ role and be more like outfield players. Maybe that’s something more coached abroad, though Joe Whitworth seems pretty adept at playing with the ball at his feet for Exeter!
But as has been pointed out, England goalies no longer seem to be the ‘gold standard’, unlike when Clemence and Shilton were playing for the top teams in Europe. How many major trophy winners in recent years have had an English player in goal?
Also it was always considered poor form not to catch the ball on every possible occasion. Punching it away was virtually last resort. And that was when balls were heavy, slippery and there were no specialist gloves to help. Now with their foam palms and lighter balls the gloves ‘stick’ to even wet footballs and yet catching is far less commonplace. It’s one of the changes nowadays, like ‘keepers needing to adopt a ‘sweeper’ role and be more like outfield players. Maybe that’s something more coached abroad, though Joe Whitworth seems pretty adept at playing with the ball at his feet for Exeter!
But as has been pointed out, England goalies no longer seem to be the ‘gold standard’, unlike when Clemence and Shilton were playing for the top teams in Europe. How many major trophy winners in recent years have had an English player in goal?