What many do not realise is keepers today face a totally different ball to that of a few years ago. The light weight ball of today’s game swerves and dips like never before. It is now difficult for keepers to judge the flight of the ball. Keepers rarely catch when at full stretch because of the the nature of today’s footballs manufacture.

When I finished playing at 42ish, due to injury. I was by then playing at the third level of our league system (for an appalling side to be fair. Triers they were but that was the beginning and end of it). Anyway, the difference in weight of the ball had changed dramatically, even then the balls swerved and dipped like never before. Now, training with the grandkids, their footballs are so light it beggars belief and they are regulation size and weight.

I don’t see many keepers coming for crosses and catching one handed f at all like Pat Jennings etc. just like you do not see many keepers, going down at the feet of an attacker on a one to one, they now stand big, narrow the angle and hope, as going down at feet will most likely lead to a penalty when the stricker leaves a trailing foot to cheat a penalty.

So all in all well done Sam Johnston’s, your a Baggie so you got my support and good luck to you if get the call up.