This is not, nor will ever be written by AI. I live in the countryside and spend long periods of time in the car, so I dictate this to my phone before publishing.
This past weekend, I made a series of one versus one saves in our first home game of the National League season (watch here).
We were chasing the game after being uncharacteristically 2-0 down at half time, meaning the game would be very open in the second half while we chased goals.
The four one versus one saves were enough to earn me Man of the match, alongside another top player from my team.
Two out of the four saves came in a crucial point in the game, keeping the score down to 2-1, before we got a 94th minute equaliser.
In the first half however I conceded two goals, that I feel like I should have prevented.
They weren’t goalkeeping errors, they were just both actions that I should have completed to a higher standard.
Outside perspectives may, or may not agree but my personal standards were not as high as I would have liked in both of those moments.
My saves late in the game, in my opinion, brought me back level to having a decent game instead of being Man of the match.
From an objective goalkeeping perspective, the most impressive part of the saves that I made was simply down to discipline.
Staring down a striker that is advancing towards your goal at speed, without giving anything away.
As a goalkeeper, what could you possibly give away?
Everything.
If I stand too tall, he slots it under me.
If my legs are too wide, he passes it through them.
If I’m too aggressive he knocks it around me and scores or even worse, I earn a red card and suspension.
Discipline and timing.
On two occasions the striker attempts to knock it around me because I gave absolutely no indication to him, of a weakness in my stance.
I set myself in a good position, then ask them to make the move.
Maybe an inexperienced goalkeeper rushes to commit to an action, and in doing so, gives the striker a chance to react the opposite way.
It might not be that deep to the striker, or the neutral.
If I had shown a chink in my armor, the striker would’ve taken it whether it was a conscious decision or not.
I stood my ground, set my feet, waited and then pounced (literally), when the striker made their move.
On both occasions I risk giving away a penalty and getting a red card if I get it even slightly wrong.
I didn’t, I nailed both actions and was able to gather the ball and distribute to my centre backs.
I feel like these moments are a lot like a chess match.
Your move, then my move.
A careful evaluation of risk is required, then you must make a decision.
Whoever can hold their nerve longer, whoever remains more disciplined will usually come out on top.
