Hi Michael

I expected your disapproval of my comment about improvements in goalkeeping knowing about your goalkeeping days of yore.

I too had a spell between the posts many years ago before moving on to rugby, and my son still plays at a reasonable standard as goalkeeper for a local amateur club.

My reasons for my claim are that today the ball is much lighter and modern players have learned the skill of swerving and dipping the ball.
This did not happen so much in my day ( and yours).

Also the game is faster and the goalkeepers have to be much faster too. Also they have to be able to pass and distribute the ball more than we did.

IMHO the keepers today are subjected to much more blocking and obstruction when going out for crosses etc.

I do agree with you that it is much safer if the keeper tries to catch the ball or get his body behind it rather than just stick out a foot or whatever part of their anatomy they can.

I realise I have not mentioned the hazards of playing when we did heavy,wet slippery ball, having to bounce the ball after three paces ( or was it two?). The pitches too were much inferior. Many times the goal area was like a swamp.

I know that we will probably not agree about this and I fully understand and respect your view. I know that there are many others who share your view so it will always be a point of discussion.



Regards

Mike