The Goalkeepers' of Today!

 Has the quality of the modern day Goalkeeper deteriorated.?

I remember watching football matches back in the late '60s early '70s and I have to say that the quality back then was far superior than it is of today

Back then, the Goalkeepers' coaches were on the ball.

'Keepers were taught - at grassroots level upwards - to catch the ball with both hands behind it in a perfect grip. When a high cross came into the box the goalkeeper simply jumped up to "catch" the ball with both hands to produce an important and comfortable save.

OK, there came the time when the pace or quality of the cross meant that he went out to punch the ball away for a throw or as far out of the area as he could reach to. A bit more under pressure there but  he'd still - most of the time - produce an important punch which cleared the danger. Ok, we got some bloomers but no-one is perfect all the time.

In today's modern game which has more mega rich players - but not necessary better quality -  we have goalkeepers' who ONLY punch a dangerous cross which more often than nought causes MORE danger. A poor quality punch will always put his defence under severe pressure.

It's not just crosses that they punch, they also punch a shot which is "down their throat" so to speak. In doing so, they usually punch an easy enough shot into the path of the opponent's striker - for him to score an easy chance which he shouldn't have got.

Ok, in certain circumstances all they can do is punch the ball due to the quality of cross or the pace etc. There's nothing wrong with a quality punch at times. The problem for me is that they punch the ball when it was actually a simple catch (kepper)

What went wrong ?

• Where did the quality 'keeper go ? (ok, we have one or two)
• Did we inherit it through purchasing foreign goalkeepers who ALWAYS punch or parry the ball. ?
• Has our goalkeeping coaches forgot how to teach our keepers on how to take a ball and the best positions to stand when awaiting a delivery into the box. ?
• Do the goalkeepers get told but choose to do what THEY think is best. ?
• Is it down to the new modern day balls ?

Have a look around and have a close look at the goalkeeper when a cross comes into the box or a shot is "down his throat" - and see how he deals with it.

Having said that - maybe they all read this article and they'll catch the ball now to stick two fingers up at HEID THE BALL - LOL

Feedback welcome - lets hear your thoughts on today's goalkeeper.