Gotti wrote:
deanotito wrote:
Nonsense. I didn't say anything about looking pretty.
Every position on the field is technical. Every. That's why keepers study AND train....if you can't anticipate crosses, you'll get beat. If you're short, you'll get beat....even if your reflexes are awesome.
Explains why WC-winning Fabien Barthez was such a giant...
Or why Ikeme consistently played at a higher level and achieved more than Vince ever did...
Dude, enough with the ephemeral BS, the SOLE purpose of goalkeeping is to consistently prevent goals!
Nonsense. No one questions the sole purpose of goalkeeping. But you cannot prevent all goals, and certain goals would exploit your weaknesses. Balogun is a solid defender, but he is slow. THAT IS A WEAKNESS. He can get beat for pace, and it is exploitable. Omeruoh is faster, but not as smart or gifted as Balogun. That is also a weakness.
Barthez was short, and also error-prone (read: lack of concentration). That is a weakness...one that Sir Alex eventually got tired of. Stop arguing points that no one made. Weaknesses exist. And for many Nigerian keepers, it is crosses, and the anticipation thereof.
When Oliseh forced Enyeama out, I was crazy livid. I dumped Oliseh in the dust bin and I don't think I've ever retrieved him from there. I loved Enyeama...but that does not mean he is perfect, or didn't have exploitable weaknesses. Its the same for Uzoho. I'm reasonably confident in Uzoho's reflexes, and his ability to win a 1v1 duel...In fact, I am not as concerned as some with his "nerves"....What does concern me is how he deals with crosses...which is a significant weakness at this level. We'll keep losing (gallantly) if we don't deal with these details.