Episodes

  • 315: Between the Sticks #216

    315: Between the Sticks #216
    Nov 26 2024
    As conditions wreaked havoc across the country at the weekend, it was in non-league where goalkeepers truly felt the force of Storm Bert's brutal ball bamboozlement. We start with Wroxham and Gloucester City in the Isthmian League North and Southern Prem respectively.

    The Premier League then takes centre stage with Save of the Weekend contenders from Andre Onana and Guglielmo Vicario, the latter of whom is now set for a period on the sidelines after playing the majority of Tottenham's win over Man City with a broken bone in his foot.

    Alex McCarthy was under the spotlight in his 150th Premier League appearance for Southampton. In stepping in for Aaron Ramsdale, he conceded three in a defeat to Liverpool, the second of which saw Mo Salah steal in to gift The Reds an equaliser.

    In the EFL a series of injury time saves proved crucial for points saved and matches won, notably for Luton's Thomas Kaminski and Jacob Chapman of Huddersfield.

    A nod to Sol Brynn, too. Following a number of loan spells away from Middlesbrough, he finally bagged a first league appearance for the club. It came in a 6-2 away win at Oxford.
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    34 mins
  • 314: Between the Sticks #215

    314: Between the Sticks #215
    Nov 12 2024
    Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers have been pretty much close to flawless since stepping in for Alisson and Kepa at Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.

    At the weekend, Kepa was back in the Cherries' starting XI, while Kelleher - who pulled off two stunning saves in a home win over Aston Villa - will no doubt be back on the bench once his Brazilian teammate returns to fitness.

    So, what next for the two No2s who could most likely be No1s at other Premier League clubs?

    We discuss exactly that, plus another head save from Dean Henderson and a Save of the Weekend contender from Jordan Pickford at West Ham.

    The Goalkeeper Assist klaxon sounds for Ben Killip of Barnsley in League One, Franco Ravizzoli remains unbeaten in 12 for Wycombe and David Harrington switches allegiance from Ireland to Wales as the Fleetwood stopper is called up to Craig Bellamy's latest squad.
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    39 mins
  • 313: Between the Sticks #214

    313: Between the Sticks #214
    Nov 5 2024
    Have we witnessed a turning point for Southampton and Aaron Ramsdale?

    Two big saves in the victory over Everton gave the Saints and Ramsdale a first win and clean sheet of the campaign at the weekend. With a likely call-up to the England squad beckoning, the tide could just about be turning down on the south coast.

    Along the way is Mark Travers who, after stepping in for the injured Kepa Arrizabalaga, is very much staking his claim to be Bournemouth's ongoing No1. Defeat of Man City - their first in 32 games - gives Cherries boss Andonia Iraola something to think about once Kepa returns to fitness.

    Plenty of action to cover in the FA Cup First Round. Onto the next next phase go Jas Singh, Den Jeseph, Mathew Hudson and Laurie Walker of Tamworth, Kettering, Oldham and Solihull respectively, while Harborough's Elliot Taylor and Jonny Maxted of Brackley stepped up to nab a scalp over their more advanced non-league counterparts.

    Gainsborough Trinity's Dylan Wharton arguably bags Goalkeeper of the Round following his three successive stops in a shootout triumph over Hednesford, and Text Talk returns courtesy of Frankie Leonard. The SCEFL stopper went viral for a quite remarkable stop for Bearstead against Fisher, managing to make a save despite being entangled in the net at the same time.
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    44 mins
  • 312: Between the Sticks #213

    312: Between the Sticks #213
    Oct 29 2024
    Premier League appearance number 21 arrived for Bournemouth's Mark Travers at the weekend, stepping in for Kepa Arrizabalaga and yet again proving his worth as one of the most reliable No2 stoppers in the division.

    So, we ask, what next for the Irishman? Is his level as an elite-level No2, or does he flee the Vitality in order to pursue first-team football elsewhere?

    That was the key take from a relatively quiet bout of top-flight action, bar the sacking of Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United. What does the future hold for Andre Onana now the man pretty much solely responsible for recruiting him has moved on?

    In the EFL, Viktor Johansson and Lukas Jensen continue their fine form at Stoke and Millwall respectively, Sunderland's Si Moore bagged his first EFL start in roughly two years and Harry Lewis takes this week's 'Keeper Caper.
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    34 mins
  • 311: Between the Sticks #212

    311: Between the Sticks #212
    Oct 22 2024
    Interfering or not interfering? Offside or not offside? And would Jose Sa have saved John Stones' header regardless?

    These are all questions delivered and deliberated upon in this week's show, as we look into that injury time winner for Man City at Wolves.

    Elsewhere, Matz Sels is making a name for himself with another match-winning performance for Nottingham Forest in their victory over Crystal Palace, Guglielmo Vicario and Caoimhin Kelleher racked up 50 appearances at Tottenham and Liverpool respectively, and Nick Pope made one of the most remarkable saves (with his head) you're likely to see. Ever.

    In the EFL, Thomas Kaminski sounded the second klaxon of the weekend, while Franco Ravizzoli and Billy Crellin continue to upturn the form of Wycombe and Accrington since stepping in.
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    42 mins
  • 310: GKs On Their Way | Summer 2024

    310: GKs On Their Way | Summer 2024
    Oct 16 2024
    Finally, it's here.

    Having found a post-window moment to sit back and reflect, we take a look at all the key movers and shakers in this summer's goalkeeping transfer merry-go-round.

    Starting in the Premier League, the Ramsdale/Raya debate is put to bed (although another is as a result raised via a listener tweet) before a comprehensive list is offered up all the way down to Step 2.

    Roll on January!
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    36 mins
  • 309: Between the Sticks #211

    309: Between the Sticks #211
    Oct 8 2024
    Sometimes you witness a passage of play in goalkeeping that simply makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention.

    This weekend, Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels contributed to a "save off" that earned a point for their respective sides Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. Incredible goalkeeping in an incredible moment.

    For Liverpool, Czech 23-year-old Vitezslav Jaros made his Premier League debut when coming on as a second-half replacement for Alisson in the win over Crystal Palace. He did well, reopening the discussion on whether young or old is suited better to that No3 spot.

    Established Goalkeeper Coach, David Rouse - in for Richard Lee this week - gives his opinion on the above, as well as casting an eye over the best action from the EFL. Paul Nardi continues to enhance his reputation at QPR, Illan Meslier is the subject of 'Keeper Capers for the freak goal which saw Sunderland scrape a draw with Leeds and Connor Ripley stakes his claim for Performance of the Weekend thanks to his starring role in Port Vale's victory at Notts County.

    Lastly, we touch on the return of David de Gea. The Spaniard saved two penalties in Fiorentina's triumph over AC Milan, although remarkably two less than Paulo Gazzaniga managed in a week thanks to heroics in Girona's games with Feyenoord and Athletic Bilbao.
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    34 mins
  • 308: Between the Sticks #210

    308: Between the Sticks #210
    Sep 23 2024
    Just when you thought it was safe to listen to goalkeeping punditry...

    Up popped Roy Keane with some rather preposterous analysis of Ederson's antics during Man City's draw with Arsenal at the weekend. Along with claiming the Brazilian needed to "come with violence" in a bid to halt his fellow countryman in Gabriel, Keane also suggested Matz Sels should be docked a week's wages for allowing Danny Welbeck's free-kick to beat him in Sunday's other contest between Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

    It all makes for an action-packed Commentary Corner in this week's episode, followed by takes on the performances of Dean Henderson (MOM), Andre Onana (double save alert) and Guglielmo Vicario (handball or no handball?).


    In the EFL, Jacob Zetterstrom is rapidly making a name for himself following his summer switch to Derby, Harry Tyrer bagged Celebration of the Weekend right in front of Charlton fans as Blackpool left The Valley with three points and, for the second week in succession, Tommy Simkin pulled off a knee slide after claiming a late cross for Walsall.
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    39 mins