RedrebelIn my opinion Peter Schemeichel was one of the best goalkeepers of all time. I don't think no goalkeeper today is as good as he was specially not Van der Sar. What do you guys think?
04.05.2009
Robert O'CarlosBest 'keeper ever, end of.
:-)
04.05.2009
FeriAtsFunny...I see several fundemental goalkeeping errors in this clip: punching the ball where he should have hold on to it, being on the wrong foot when trying to save a shot, going out and punching a ball where he really should have stayed on his line.
No doubt he was spectacular, but it was himself who created these spectacles most of the time. His athletic ability compensated for his poor technique. And he quit top level football at the age of 35 when he felt that he is losing his physical abilities.
Van der Saar on the other hand has a flawless technique. He is always at the right spot at the right time and makes goalkeeping look easy. That's probably why he is not appreciated. He is 38 and doesn't show a sign of deteriorating.
05.05.2009
RedrebelIt is true Schemeichel made mistakes, but don't all goalkeepers do???? The object of being a goalkeeper is to stop goals and I don't think it matters how you stop the goals as long as you don't let anything go through.
05.05.2009
Robert O'CarlosI can understand what you're saying, FeriAts - some good points made.
:-)
For me, athletic ability and responsiveness can't be thought of too highly. A striker is always looking to fool a 'keeper, to catch him on the wrong foot or make a save as difficult as possible. Lev Yashin, for instance, built a career on athleticism and being quick.
I think Schmeichel's strength were his determination and quick reflexes behind a team who played a high tempo game, and his command of his team-mates, helping to organise them into a fantastic all round unit. He was superb at having the confidence to narrow the angles (perhaps more than was conservatively advisable), and forcing attackers into early decisions. Sometimes it was almost like having an extra defender. While van der Sar is technically sound, I would say the difference is that van der Sar is impressive but functional whereas Schmeichel was talismanic.
:-)
But, with any 'keeper, I think it depends on the outfield players in front of him as well. Think of Cech during the Euros last year - looked calamitous at times, yet he was labelled the world's best at Mourinho's Chelsea.
06.05.2009
RedrebelCech is not the same anymore and it is probably because Chelsea's defense is not solid as before and more goals go in on him.
06.05.2009
