Using hands for what they were made for in Football - Goalkeeping

A lot has been made this week about whether or not players should or indeed should not shake hands before games in the Barclay's Premier League. This followed Anton Ferdinand unsurprisingly refusing to shake John Terry's hand after the former accused the once England Captain or racially abusing him in this corresponding fixture last season. John Terry, found not guilty by the Crown Prosecution Service-but still facing FA charges, isn't the most popular man in football and has been snubbed previously some seasons ago in the hand shaking line by former friend and teammate Wayne Bridge after a story broke about JT sleeping with his girlfriend. People say that the handshake is about 'respect' but clearly a lot of pro's have no respect for each other on, or off the field, so let them make their mind up and shake or not shake as the case may be. One use for the handshake line that many people don't realise is that it gets both teams to the pitch on time, so there is no ploys of making the other team wait for you before kick off, but again, if the players and managers to react to the referee's pre game warning buzzer where is the respect? The Liverpool vs. Manchester United game this weekend will be poignant, and hopefully not too much is made of Suarez and Evra's decision to shake or not to shake after the Hillsborough report finally surfaced last week and spread light on the tragic deaths and following cover up of 96 Liverpool fans. The real respect for this game should be shown in the stands and around the ground with no chanting of offensive nature, and instead mutual respect for the people lost on that terrible day.

So, who in the Premier League are using their hands for good? Brad Friedel is one man that 'springs' to mind. Yes he's old (41!) and bald, and doesn't look like a pure athlete but he can claw his 6ft 2" frame around the goal with the same verve and vigour as when he entered the Premiership back in 1997 for Liverpool. He would have come earlier to the Premiership but was denied work permits on more than a couple of occasions and now seems to be making up for lost time. Liverpool are surely regretting letting him go, after watching their current #1's (who wears #25) performances gradually deteriorate over the past 3 seasons. Hugo Lloris the French shot stopper was bought in by Spurs gaffer AVB during the summer, and with Brazilian Heurelho Gomes, and Italian Carlo Cudicini on their books Spurs have greater strength in depth than any other Premiership club. Brendan Rodgers Liverpool now have Brad Jones (bought in to fulfill the home-grown player rule quota) and Doni, and both are pretty useless and don't put any pressure on Reina's starting spot. Reina has a couple of excuses, no goalkeeping coach, lack of competition and a squad who don't score as much as they should adding pressure to him, but in comparison to Friedel he is miles away in quality on this seasons showing. Friedels record 308 consecutive Barclays Premier League games show he has the mental, physical and psychological discipline to play at the very top level, week in, week out. No other premiership keeper can even come close to that.

Asmir Begović the Bosnian #1 pulled off the save of the season last week against Champions Manchester City at the Brittania when he tipped a Javi Martinez header onto his post, and he's sure to keep his spot over Thomas Sørensen the Norwegian #1. This competition between the two keepers keeps them on their toes and on point at all times. Liverpool don't have that. Manchester United do as the flappy, but superb shot stopper David De Gea is splitting time with the commanding Anders Lindergaard as Sir Alex tries to figure out who is the best of the two with Ben Amos waiting in the wings. Arsenal would have beaten new boys Southampton 6-0 if it wasn't for a terrible mistake from their returning starting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny. That lapse in concentration costing him and his stern Steve Bould drilled defense an easy clean sheet.


At the other end of the goalkeeping spectrum from Friedel is hapless Kelvin Davis, captain of Southampton. He's conceded 14 goals in 4 games, albeit against some of the better sides in the division but he clearly isn't Premiership quality and with him in goal the opposition will always fancy their chances of scoring. Ali Al Habsi is a keeper who jumps from sublime to shocking in moments. The Omani can make great saves and is decent facing penalties, but lets some of the simplest mistakes undo his work.

Everyone of these keepers, young and veteran, can take a leaf out of Friedel's book. He's stayed active, connected and in shape for years and years, and has improved with age and experience. His concentration, attitude and ability has seen him rise to be one of the top players in his position in England. Lloris may be a top international keeper, but as long as Friedel plays as he has been, the Frenchman won't be getting anywhere near the American's record appearances record.