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Peter Anderson ⚽ Who'd be a goalie, eh? The modern game has shifted significantly with the Pep Effect. With the possession based game comes a need for a keeper that can spray the ball about like a top midfielder, but under severe pressure from the high press. Allisson and Ederson have become pivotal to the way their respective teams play. Jordan Pickford has a firm grasp of the England number one jersey due to his passing skills.

The first thing Pep did when he arrived at City was get rid of Joe Hart, to much uproar from the City faithful distraught that a City legend was being culled so harshly. No complaints now. Last summer, Eric ten Hag tried to do the same at Man U. Out went the former multiple Man U Player of the Year winner, David de Gea. And in came Napoli's impressive stopper Onana. Things have gone a bit Pete Tong though. Onana has had a nightmarish start to his career at Old Trafford and last Saturday he threw in another one against Brentford.

It seems that passing like Glenn Hoddle isn't sufficient, you need to stop simple shots as well. And what of De Gea? I have followed his career with some interest from day one. When I was watching Atletico on a regular basis he was the number one for Atletico B, with Joel Robles as his deputy. When the first team duo of Asencio and Roberto got injured within weeks of each other, the reserve two were promoted to the first team. De Gea made a dodgy start but with the support of the home fans he grew in stature and managed to keep Asencio out. 

At that time, me and my mate from Wexford who lives in Aluche, South Madrid, wrote a blog every week about our experiences at the stadium and match reports. It was well read as fans wanted content in English on the sleeping giant that had just woken up. Interest in Fernando Torrres, Forlan and Agüero pushed readers our way. My mate was super excited to report that De Gea was dating his neighbour's daughter, so he made sure to say hello to the young keeper. As they got to know each other De Gea admitted that he was going to England but refused to say where. My mate did some digging and was assured it was Arsenal, so we ran an "exclusive" on our blog only for the papers to report the next day that it was Man U. Doh! It was no surprise to see him grow in Manchester. In a shit team he was often the difference between mediocrity and disaster. He won the MUFC Player of the Year award 4 times between 2013/14 and 2017/18. The constant pressure finally told and mistakes crept into his game. First he was dropped by Spain and then Real Madrid stopped showing interest, and finally he was let go.

Now without a club at 32 years old, he is threatening to retire, refusing to go to a lower ranked club. This situation along with the failure of Onana to settle at Man U has led to some dissent in the dressing room, if rumours are to be believed. The truth of the matter is that it is getting so difficult to get to the top of the goalie business. The world's top goalies, Oblack, Allisson, Courtois and Ederson are head and shoulders above the rest. Arsenal have benched Ramsdale in favour of Raya, but even he looks shakey. With holding midfielders now selling for more than £100m you can imagine the hunting going on for the next top goalie. It is going to be really interesting watching Onana and Raya over the coming months to see if they can master their trade in this most demanding of positions.

Arsenal at least have a decent plan B. What Man U do if Onana keeps deteriorating is unknown, but at the mo it seems that everything they do turns to shit.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports

The Goalie

Peter Anderson ⚽ Who'd be a goalie, eh? The modern game has shifted significantly with the Pep Effect. With the possession based game comes a need for a keeper that can spray the ball about like a top midfielder, but under severe pressure from the high press. Allisson and Ederson have become pivotal to the way their respective teams play. Jordan Pickford has a firm grasp of the England number one jersey due to his passing skills.

The first thing Pep did when he arrived at City was get rid of Joe Hart, to much uproar from the City faithful distraught that a City legend was being culled so harshly. No complaints now. Last summer, Eric ten Hag tried to do the same at Man U. Out went the former multiple Man U Player of the Year winner, David de Gea. And in came Napoli's impressive stopper Onana. Things have gone a bit Pete Tong though. Onana has had a nightmarish start to his career at Old Trafford and last Saturday he threw in another one against Brentford.

It seems that passing like Glenn Hoddle isn't sufficient, you need to stop simple shots as well. And what of De Gea? I have followed his career with some interest from day one. When I was watching Atletico on a regular basis he was the number one for Atletico B, with Joel Robles as his deputy. When the first team duo of Asencio and Roberto got injured within weeks of each other, the reserve two were promoted to the first team. De Gea made a dodgy start but with the support of the home fans he grew in stature and managed to keep Asencio out. 

At that time, me and my mate from Wexford who lives in Aluche, South Madrid, wrote a blog every week about our experiences at the stadium and match reports. It was well read as fans wanted content in English on the sleeping giant that had just woken up. Interest in Fernando Torrres, Forlan and Agüero pushed readers our way. My mate was super excited to report that De Gea was dating his neighbour's daughter, so he made sure to say hello to the young keeper. As they got to know each other De Gea admitted that he was going to England but refused to say where. My mate did some digging and was assured it was Arsenal, so we ran an "exclusive" on our blog only for the papers to report the next day that it was Man U. Doh! It was no surprise to see him grow in Manchester. In a shit team he was often the difference between mediocrity and disaster. He won the MUFC Player of the Year award 4 times between 2013/14 and 2017/18. The constant pressure finally told and mistakes crept into his game. First he was dropped by Spain and then Real Madrid stopped showing interest, and finally he was let go.

Now without a club at 32 years old, he is threatening to retire, refusing to go to a lower ranked club. This situation along with the failure of Onana to settle at Man U has led to some dissent in the dressing room, if rumours are to be believed. The truth of the matter is that it is getting so difficult to get to the top of the goalie business. The world's top goalies, Oblack, Allisson, Courtois and Ederson are head and shoulders above the rest. Arsenal have benched Ramsdale in favour of Raya, but even he looks shakey. With holding midfielders now selling for more than £100m you can imagine the hunting going on for the next top goalie. It is going to be really interesting watching Onana and Raya over the coming months to see if they can master their trade in this most demanding of positions.

Arsenal at least have a decent plan B. What Man U do if Onana keeps deteriorating is unknown, but at the mo it seems that everything they do turns to shit.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports
Peter Anderson Soccer

4 comments:

  1. Red Ron12:55 PM, October 10, 2023

    With a rapidly declining Van Dijk in defence , Reds fans don't have time to worry about the keeper ( unless it's Adrian ) . Good weekend for the Gooners , Spurs , Chelsea . Maybe all of them will get top four ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AM2:22 PM, October 10, 2023

      Van Dijk has never been the player he was before the Pickford tackle

      Delete
  2. Peter7:42 PM, October 10, 2023

    Pool have 4 defective CBs. Another splurge needed in that dept

    ReplyDelete
  3. Steve R9:20 PM, October 10, 2023

    Looks like we are hitting our rhythm...then a feckin international break followed by a run of games against the top teams. I'm away to gurn in the corner.

    ReplyDelete

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