05 Feb 2023 16:50:46
Perhaps a bit harsh, but I think Aaron Ramsdale was at worst, at fault for Everton's goal, or at the least, could have done better. When you see where the ball was actually headed, it was well inside the six yard box, and any keeper worth his salt, really should be dominating any ball in that area, especially someone with England ambitions.

As someone who played in goal, the easiest of the crosses to come for are those coming to the back post, simply because the ball is in the air longer, giving you more time to both see the flight, and come for the ball.

Also, even if you don't catch it, or get caught slightly underneath, you just have to deflect it up for it to clear the danger area and go off for another corner. I think Ramsdale is a very good keeper, but maybe that's the trouble with modern goalkeepers, in that they are picked more on how the pass the ball rather than how good a keeper they are?

Looking back at some of our previous keepers, with Lehman and Seaman especially coming to mind, both would have come for that cross yesterday. It's such a vital part of the keepers job, as once a team knows that you come, they have to drop the ball further out, massively reducing the risk of a direct header being a goal. Sadly, it seems to be a dying art.

1.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 17:14:43
Like you being a goalkeeper when I played Epping mate, I can see your point. Thinking about Utds second goal against us when the cross came in also confusion there.
I am sure Mikel will realise it is something that they should work on.

2.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 17:18:09
True but Ode‘s abysmal defending at the corner did not help either - didn’t even jump or make it difficult

SD saw that the set up wasn’t working and changed how Everton were supporting the front man to great effect - good in game management, Arsenal however were getting battered in midfield. We decided to do nothing then take off our beast and replace him with a slow, not mobile, hardly dominating deep playing midfielder. That’s why Mikel still hasn’t completely won me over. Crappy man / team management.

3.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 17:21:26
He pulled off some cracking saves yesterday though Epping!

4.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 17:31:54
A striker misses 5 sitters then scores a cracking goal and he's a hero, while a keeper pulls off 5 outstanding saves and makes 1 mistake and he is suddenly the vilain, it's never made sense to me Sally but it's how it's always been in football for some reason ???.

5.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 18:57:49
As a fully paid up card carrying member of the keepers union G62, I am 100% with you. Many times I see idiot “outfield” commentators criticising keepers for things such as being beaten at the near post, and other aspects of keeping they clearly know nothing about.

As a keeper I could assure to never being beaten at the near post by staying right next to it, leaving about 18 foot of empty goal on the other side and the easiest finish in the world for any forward. What also shows their lack of knowledge, was that no one questioned Ramsdale staying on his line for the goal, and more importantly, for the previous batch of corners that I think gave Everton the confidence to swing the ball in.

Sally, every top level keeper produces great saves. Our old keeper Fabianski has had a great career at West Ham based on just that, he is a great shot stopper. Growing up there were many great shot stopper keepers who were my hero’s with Steve Sutton being a particular favourite. However what really separates the men from the boys, at any level, is the ability to come and take a cross.

Yes you see players congratulate their keeper when he pulls off a great save, but watch the defenders reaction when their keeper comes and takes a ball in the air, dominating the box and saving them from having to clear the ball. It’s a different reaction, but of real appreciation.

These are the top keepers, and why despite dominating the Best saves of the season videos (yes they exist! ) the likes of Steve Sutton didn’t play for England, and others, like Ray Clarence and Peter Shilton did, as both were capable an all aspects of the role.

6.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 18:59:06
yeah a lot of keepers are like that nowadays good shot stoppers and can actually play a pass but can be weak on crosses.

They can lack strength to dominate the area that they should be and often relying on the ref to get them out of trouble too much with a cheap foul. Modern football I guess.

I always like my keepers to be bigun's well over 6ft as it gives me confidence that they can control their area more on crosses.

7.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 19:23:18
Leno fitted that mould ?.

8.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 19:37:09
I have awful lot of sympathy, respect and appreciation for keepers Epping mate, always did when I was playing toughest Job on the pitch mate ????.

9.) 06 Feb 2023
06 Feb 2023 10:30:11
Yeah it’s a fair point, however the defence really needed to do better too, he put himself on Ode, our big lads shouldn’t let that happen, also before he even got that far he brushed passed Saka who just let him go, it really was just an overall poor performance.

{Ed014's Note - no one came out of that game with flying colours and that includes Mikel.