Originally Posted by
jardi
Spike - I totally agree that everyone can and does make mistakes. However, there is one important lesson that I learned many years ago which is this: you must learn from your mistakes and do everything in your power to (try to) prevent it from happening again.
Now, - as has been said many times on this board since Martin first came to the club, he is a decent shot stopper but is bloody useless at cross balls, - and has he tried to improve that aspect of his game? - The answer is a simple no.
If dealing with cross balls was not an important aspect of the game, - Queens would be probably sitting near the top of the league, - but it is very much an integral part of the game, and even Formartine our Highland League opponents will know that all they need to do to cause panic in our defence is to float in some balls into the six yard area.....that simply cannot be right!
So from now on at training Martin should practice coming out to catch or punch cross balls, - and while he's at it he should also concentrate on trying to kick towards a given target.....how many times does he either kick the ball into touch or straight to the opposition with no Queens players in that area?
Believe it or not this is NOT a 'get at Martin post,' - this is actually a constructive post which I believe, if implemented, could transform our keeper from a very ordinary player, into one who is full of confidence and who is able to instill that confidence into the rest of the team.
That transformation may take several months, but it is critically important that he starts work now and begins to demonstrate a new found confidence and ability which will reassure the home crowds and hopefully strike fear into the opposition strikers.
Sadly at the moment, it is Martin who looks fearful and totally unsure of how to deal with cross balls which with every passing game can only make matters worse for him. So once again I would be saying to him, - "look you're a really good keeper, but we need to work hard on cross balls to boost your confidence and take the pressure of your defenders"