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Being a goal keeper is like being drummer in a prog band. People think what you do is simple, when a guitarist makes a mistake, he can just change the lick a bit and make it through, same witha base or a keyboard. If the drummer fails, it can ruin a song, because it is all about fundemental rhytms so you can't disrupt the whole thing.

You should do a video on the last team that wasn’t rangers or Celtic to win the league, sir Alex’s Aberdeen in the 80s

Please do a video on Courtois's Nutmegs too. Everyone seems to meg him

Imagine being so good that your single error leads to thorough research an analysis of how that happened

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This video shows exactly what went wrong for de gea now.. His mind is not settled, hes lost a bit of his superb in-game focus and composure, causing him making these types of mistakes,, thus ultimately cost his form and his club/national team.. We all would love for de gea to be at his best though

De Gea is more prone to criticism from everyone because he plays for Manchester United.

I can tell you one thing fifa isn’t the place where goalies are getting enough respect, you can play with Yashin and a 52 rated goalkeeper and I will still score/ not score on the same shot with both

Great video! Enlightened me, now I’ll stop perpetuating the near-post myth myself!

If you look at De Gea’s performances throughout his career he shone under Moyes, was imperious in LVGs tenure and out of this world in Jose Mourinihos first two seasons.. That being said his form for Spain during both LVGs and Mourinios tenure did not match, in which whenever I speak to the Spanish natives they don’t rate De Gea as a goalkeeper. Something Chris Sutton could never get his head round whenever de gea was in the topic of discussion. The one aspect I agree with in this video is the fact that punditry and TV analysis of the goalkeeping position is not only lazy but judged by outfield players who do not have a clue how to play in goal. in De Gea’s case his form decline has coincided with solskjars appointment, where we have one memorable performance to come back to which was the away victory at white hart lane. Where ironically Ole set them up in the Jose mourinho low block something that ole admitted to after the game. So why is this key? David De gea is a reactionary goal keeper he isn’t a space playing goalkeeper. Reactionary saves are beneficial in a low block system as the low block has a 80% success rate of reducing shooting angles meaning that a goalkeeper can rely on the reactions if shots do come through. Since ole has come in a higher defensive line and front pressing approach is being implemented in which more shooting angles are presented, more space is available behind the back line and more command of the box from the keeper is required. This ultimately requires a more dimensional approach in reading the game from between the sticks in which de gea does not possess. This has always been evident when he plays with Spain especially at the World Cup where he conceded 6 out of the 7 shots faced. If you look at both Ederson and Allison you often don’t see the acrobatic saves for the camera like you do with De gea.. you see a simple save where it caught or palmed away.. this is because their reading of the open game is on another level where they’re always in the right position for the phase of play. In addition no one ever picks up on the success rate of Allison or Edersons 1 v 1 saving ability. Both of them have the timing of their runs and body position down to a tee where they’re both favorites in the 1 v 1 position. Something de gea does not posses look at palaces first goal and how he came out. Goalkeeping is 70% mental 30% physical in which the mental side of the game makes a goalkeepers job much much easier... I will never forget what the Arsenal goalkeeping coach said to me and I quote “the reason why David Semen is the England Number one and not David James or Nigel Martyn, is down to their positioning and mental side of the game, Nigel martyn always looks great for his club, david James is alway athletic and agile but what they both lack in their games is both concentration and reading of the game. Semen will still pull of world class saves even though he’s not as agile as James... he will still pull of saves as the last line of defense although he is at as quick as Nigel Martyn, he will always do the routine saves when required after been quiet for 70 minutes something both James and Martyn we’re guilty of most often.” He further stated that Martyns performances in goal were based on how busy he was in the box, the busier he was the better his performances were where as if he was quiet he would often let in a blunder in the later minutes of the game” Since that conversation I’ve seen goalkeeping in a completely different way and understood how and why David Semen and Peter Schimicael (spelling) were amazing goal keepers.

IMO one of the goals that Ederson let past him against Spurs was way worse, I think it was Lamela's. His positioning was shocking.

You should do a video about Kanerva’s Finland: last goal conceded at home in october 2017 and the most recent home defeat in june 2017, 2 goals conceded in 5 uefa euro qualifying matches

Coming back to this again, happened against City vs Sane and very recently against Spurs by Bergwijn

I've never felt more appreciated as a keeper after a video. Near post feels even harder to save at times cause it can be very awkward to get down. Saving with the feet is one way but it sometimes feel restricted.

As a former goalkeeper I hate that line so much

Thank you for clearing this up. I always thought the near post myth was absolutely ridiculous. Of course different goalkeepers with different styles will be better in different scenarios

Whoever reads this have a good life

Disclaimer, Long comment I used to play in goal before I dislocated my left shoulder twice in a short span if time. I think that GK is the hardest position to play, this is because if the opposition can hit the ball fast enough you can't save it regardless of it being a 'nice height' or distance away from you. Your staring position is the most important thing when it comes to a save as well as your ability to read where the player is going to shoot based on body language. There is several, if not multiple calculations that go in during that 0.3s reaction time. a lot of the time when a 'great' save is made the keeper will not have been confident or known that they were going to make the save because they have to react before they can fully calculate where the ball is going. This is why I believe that older keepers tend to be better than younger keepers, older keepers are essentially able to calculate more of the direction and curve of the shot before having to move to make the save than younger keepers because of their experience. The reason I think that GK is the hardest position to play is because when you start to make a save you can't know if you're going to save it until you do, at which point if you didn't save it you know "I should have been 1 foot to the left or right." Or "I just didn't get down quick enough." or "I could have saved it if I used my feet." I think GK is so difficult because in order to make a save at high speeds you have to perfectly anticipate where the shot will end up almost before the ball leaves the feet of the attacker, and therefore making goalkeeping more of a 'percentage' than any other position.

ITS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE MADE THIS VIDEO. Its only the field players who ever say a goalkeeper shouldn't be beaten at the near post I swear. You don't get to make up stuff like that if you've never been a goalkeeper

1. Thank you for this. I have been playing a goalkeeper all my life and I have tried to argue this all the time. I can't be everywhere at once. 2. Is De Gea 2,4m high or is that the smallest goal in history?

Can you look into covering the Revie Plan used by Manchester City during the 50’s? The Hungarian tactics and their offshoots always interested me.

Football writing: exists The Athletic: 'It's free real estate'

Another great article turned video! Keep going!

I'm not sure this explanation quite dispelled the myth. Yes, there are a variety of factors that would enable a striker to score at both "near" and "far" posts but there's not much insight given as to why there's no real difference in the outcome as a result of goalkeeper positioning.

This channel deserves more traction. Data analysis and perspectives I've never considered come up all the time. Better than all punditry I see right now.

hi Joe, please do a what's going on at eintracht frankfurt...since they sold their best players

With every single video you guys are climbing a new high, mate. Apart from Jonathan Wilson, I have never listened to anyone talking tactics and making it sound like bedtime story of unicorn and princes in faraway lands. All the best.

If Tifo videos are the Athletic's version of "5 free articles a month," I love it.

"It's lazy analysis, and something that doesn't make sense." One of my favourite quotes of all time. Perhaps you could also bust the myth about "leaning back" every time a shot goes over the bar.

You should do a video on Vincente de Bosque ‘s tactics with the Spain team that won the 2010 World Cup

Thank you. Always thought it was weird that they just said that without any real explanation.

I was a top class street football goalkeeper couple years ago. Among the best in Kingston, Jamaica. I was sometimes call concrete hopper name derived from grasshopper due to my quick jumping and diving reflexes. Base on my experience I can tell you this much it seems way harder to save a quick shot coming in at my near pose compare to my far post. Most of the goals I've conceded are either swerving shot at my near post or deflecting shot off one of my team mates. While I conceded goals at my far post it wasn't a common thing why? Because most times I deliberately shut down one side of my goal and show the incoming player the far post. Kinda like leaving a trap waiting for him to get caught in it. He would then shoot far post most times in top corner and I would then saving it because I position my body to stretch with a quick jump or use my long legs top block low driven shot. If I show my far post and the striker goes near post it can at times catch me off guard especially if its a quick swerving shot. My diving and movement space are limited at near post compare to my far post. That's the main reason why at times my opponent score at my near post and I believe its another reason why goalkeeper playing professionally conceded goal at their near post as well. Quick shots and limited space to work with is dreadful.

De gea was out of set position because he couldnt see the ball directly, and this didn't need a whole video break down. It wasn't even a mistake, it was just unlucky

Please do more goalkeeping breakdowns! These are amazing!

It really depends on the angle of the shots. But positioning itself is not just about maximising coverage of the net. It is also about limiting choices of strikers to let the goalkeepers being better prepared. Near post myth is a valid argument for diagonal shots as being prepared to block near post, the goalkeeper positioning itself can limit the choices of the strikers. Psychologically, it puts the strikers relatively inferior position. He is limited to only one choice, the goalkeeper knows it and prepares well for it, and he needs to shoot extremely well and precisely to score.

This is fantastic content👍

Very precise!

Could you please do a video on Brian cloughs tactics at Nottingham Forest

The 2:19 - 2:53 part felt weird because he’s very often in that position when playing, and thanks to the vid I finally realized how much of a difference it makes

Hey Tifo Football, kindly requesting if you could do an analysis of the Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo trio as well as the Messi, Neymar and Suarez combination. I’ve always wanted to know how they worked so well. Thanks

Gran video! The ball goes just in the conflict zone; but the problem is another one: why always De Gea?

It's worth mentioning that correct position to cover as much of the goal as possible is going to tend towards near post. You also might want to be an extra step still towards the near post as near post shots are likely to be struck with more power, not to mention shorter distance to the goal, meaning less time to make a save. And now we see why the kind-of myth but not totally myth of not conceding at the near post comes from. Near post shots are usually aimed very close to the goalkeeper, and thus are generally perceived to be more savable (though you correctly note the "black holes"). And yes, this was the case with the De Gea mistake described here.

Speaking of goalkeepers, I have an idea for a video: Transferable skills from other sports. Obviously, good fitness applies anywhere, but which other sports have skills that would transfer into being a good footballer. For example, Peter Schmeichel brought his star-jump save from his time as a handball goalkeeper (having played both sports in his youth), and Kasper Schmeichel has also mentioned learning handball goalkeeping techniques in Denmark.

@Tifo Football another great video! A video idea I’ve got is to look at how Dwight McNeil benefits Burnley. Keep up the good work!

A goal keeper making a mistake has the same impact on a game as a striker missing a shot. Yet strikers just get told its fine but keepers get slated. Also strikers are in coltroll of the ball where goal keepers aren't in control and often need to react before the shot is taken by receding the body language.

Great video Joe!

People seem to forget the times he single handedly won us games (vs Arsenal and vs Spurs). Plus many times, De Gea has been left exposed by our defence, like how Ashley Young was subbed on for AWB leaving us weak on the right flank, (look at how easily Zaha discarded him).

Finally someone talks about the near post. As a Sunday league goalkeeper this was always my thinking

Just a quick question, if i buy this sub to the athletic will i still get ads on their site?

Fantastic analysis

I always go for near post. Keeper barely sees it coming

The lack of knowledge about the Goalkeeper position in the general football cognoscente is horrendous. As a Goalkeeper, the lazy punditry about 'near post', 'wrong hand' and 'the 'Keeper should do better' is infuriating.

The Schmeichel quote was immensely informative.

if a shooter kicks it flat meaning little spin with top whip you can put 2 goals keepers that ball is going in. juninho and pirlo were the 2 main guys who could shock a ball to move so flatly that the keeper would have to literally be able to fly to have a chance.

Please can you make a video on Ben Godfrey from Norwich

Do one on tibo curtios real Madrid keep legs cant keep close 😑

As a striker if you leave the front post open it’s almost always an easier shot. But good goalies will get beat near post sometimes, it’s just a general rule, not an absolute

Hasn't the goalie coach at Utd changed. This may be the reason for the change. In my teens I played in goal and was doing okay with instinctive reactions and saves. Things changed when I had to transition to textbook goalkeeping and try to hold on to everything no matter how fast or awkward it came at me. I believe this transition may be the reason for his change in form. I believe he should stick to what's comfortably works for him. He was doing fine before.

Could you do a video on Bill Hamid

Next: curse of number 9 in Milan?

if I was through 1v1 vs a keeper, I invariably shaped as if I was going to put it in the far corner and actually aimed near post. One of the most effective methods to beat a keeper. Almost everybody aims for the far corner and if you can get the keeper shifting his weight that way, it is nearly impossible to readjust to the near post shot.

Great analysis, although for that goal I'd put at least half the blame on Rashford who was marking Van Aanholt right up until they reached out box and then just decided to stop doing that.

He did the same stance against Monreal a few years back in the FA Cup at Old Trafford. i just think he doesn't picture Full Backs being so advanced in that position to take a shot at his goal, so those thought bubbles come into his head.

The van aanholt image 😂

You need to take into account that being beat at the near post means the ball has the shortest distance to travel, therefore meaning the keeper needs to react the quickest. It is also the smaller area to aim for so as a keeper it kind of makes sense to cover less of the near post and more of the far post to make the striker aim near post as there is a higher chance of missing at the near post.

Yay , tifo uploaded !

how bout an update of this video

Hey, can you guys make a video on Ismail Bennacer?!

I’d love to see a video by you guys talking about how Nicolas Anelka’s brother ruined raith rovers fc and how he basically paid his way to become owner and made himself the manager

Please do a Lacazette playing-style analysis

same happened whenson scored vital goal against ederson

As a goalkeeper, thank you

Please make a video about the playing style of the Indian National team or an analysis of Sunil Chetri.They play Qatar on 10-9-19

I remember the goal Alonso scored against Hugo . Alonso really striked the ball hard and low into the near post . I pissed my off and Mexico vs Germany in the world cup 2018 . Neuer was beaten near post . I think people are really hash on keepers when their beaten near post . Percieve it to be an easy , but it not .

Next: Thibaut Courtois & the Nutmeg Myth

0:40 laughs in lacazette

Not even lying i watched most of the vid yestersay and got this as an ad just before

What happened to the THFC questions/show?

Could you do a video on Dynamo Kyiv?

One of the best video youve hever made, youre the best football channel period, keep on the good work!

Ya

In no way am I an expert in analysis and those at the Athletic and Tifo know their stuff. But I thought I will pitch in my 50 cents. After taking a look at Van Aanholt's goal again, what I noticed is that De Gea was a bit slow in reacting when Van Aanholt received the ball. Wan-Bissaka managed to intercept Zaha, who was making a run to the centre of the 6yd box. However, Van Aanholt was in the right position to make a touch that would then enable him to take the shot. From the go, it was obvious that Van Aanholt was setting himself to take a shot and De Gea being a bit slow to react to him receiving the ball resulted in the GK being not able to get to his set position in the right time. If you look at the goal, De Gea has just took his position when Van Aanholt took the shot and that is not a good situation for any goalkeeper. Secondly, while high saves are the most pleasing to the eye, low shots are the toughest to save. And those types of shots are what usually referred to as 'blackholes'. It is hard to get either your leg or hand to those areas. Near post shots, if hit at a certain angle and power, are probably the hardest shots to save. Aguero, I think, is a specialist in this. He knows how to beat the best of goalkeepers in the near post and that is a matter of his quality than the GKs being at fault. Back to De Gea. I feel thevest option to save near post shots are using your legs. I think he shouldn't have opted to attempt to save the shot using his hands in that situation. Added that he was already a bit late to get into position. Overall, I think it was a matter of both bad decision and slow reaction. Could happen to any goalkeeper anytime.

Try being a GK , the kind of speed generated and movement these new balls display is extraordinary . Count in the distance , how close the goal scorer was to the goal . So people who are trying to be critical of de gea should try being a GK for a match n they'll start crying after the match .

Yet no1 speaks about ederson mistake against spurs🤦‍♂️

It's sad that he lost his place to Kepa ....

Do a video about neuer sweeper keeper tactics

Pepe Reina at the back end of his Liverpool career faced similar criticism. Was that unwarranted?

This video reminds me about what Mark Schwarzer said a year or so ago; arguing that many pundits, and I would add, fans, unfairly criticise goalkeepers without much knowledge on what actual techniques goalkeeping entails. Goalkeeping is a unique specialist position, and sometimes, if you have never been a goalkeeper yourself, it is better to STFU about what a GK should have done or not!

For anyone to say a gk should never be beat at their near post is like saying a golfer should always putt on the green. There are shots where a gk must spread across the goal and cannot cover the near post, and shots that are so close it is impossible to both react and save the shot. I am a gk, you can watch my videos in goal. Even when you stand at the near post you can still concede. People are quick to complain despite the fact analysts have stated a football gk is the hardest position in all sports both physically and mentally due to factors like the goal is 8 yards wide and 8ft tall and the speed of shots are over 70mph average. Here is a fact to think about, I am not a professional gk, I have made saves in matches that when timed on video analysis take between 0.2-0.3 seconds from the kick to the save. These shots are taken from a range between 6 yards to 20 yards but I am required to save either way. The average human reaction time is 0.45 seconds and on average it takes a gk 0.6 seconds to move from a set position to dive into a bottom corner. I have to save shots that are faster than both average reaction and average diving time individually but I am still a non league player. And people see gks concede and are quick to judge? I'll be honest I am critical of gks because I know what it is like and the mistakes they will make but to say they should never concede a type of goal is utterly ridiculous.

I disagree with the thesis of this video. Yes, it is true that there are many variables. However, two things are constant: 1) the path to the near post is, by definition, shorter, therefore you have less time to react to a shot that goes in that direction. Better to already be there, so that you don't have to move as great a distance (given that you don't have as much time to do it); 2) it's generally harder to shoot (and score) at the far post, as you usually have to curl it around the reach of the keeper, and not every player has the ability to pull that off regularly. Given these two statements, one concludes that it's more prudent to protect your near post and make the striker 'work for his goal' if he wants to get you at your far post.

Do a video on why Rashford’s decision making has not improved at all.

Do vedio on T.courtosis nutmerg🤣🤣

I have watched under a minutes and I literally screamed THANK YOU! All my life non-keeping managers and players get onto keepers case about this utter rubbish!

this is a rare instance of disagreement

Yeah, it's also a myth that de Gea always flops in the big tournaments (world Cup / ucl). It's also a myth that de Gea has poor concentration and only looks good when he is being kept busy with shots. And it's also a myth that de Gea exaggerates his saves. And it's also a myth that de Gea always stays on his goal line and never comes out for crosses and highballs, or as a sweeper keeper.

Is this a co op video with Athletic? It is OK but you should mention any sponsorship deals

I'm still annoyed we lost that match

Do you guys have shirts or hats? I would buy so much Tifo swag holy shit

Until we get a proper defensive midfielder, our defence will always be shakey