Academy Task #5: The S22 Goalkeeper Gang

[lowkeyazombie]

Do people even like goalkeepers? It seems to be varied across these wonderful things we call sim leagues. In the SHL, goalies are seen as "fine but who cares?", as the sim engine over there makes it so the team in front of the goalie matters much more than the goalie themselves. But goalkeeping, in my opinion, is the best position across sports that use a goalkeeper. Sure, sick crosses make for amazing highlight reel goals, and nothing is hotter than a well timed tackle to knock a ball loose, but the goalkeeper is the PINNACLE of the defense. When all else fails, the goal keeper is there to bail out the rest of the team. They are the pillar of the team, a position that can make or break an entire squad based on how hot they are at any particular time.

In S22, well, there's only 2 of them.

So now, let's deep dive into the only 2 goalkeepers of this class, and see why Maarten Slothlenburg and Gianlugia Bufoon are the next 2 greats between the posts. Miss out on them? Well, it's your funeral, buddy.


Maarten Slothlenburg

Having looked at Maarten's build for the first time to write this, it's clear that I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to building a goalkeeper and am now feeling self-conscious and exposed. Maarten is a goalkeeper who has narrowed in on their ability to tend the net, with sky high abilities in much of the goalkeeper specific attributes. At the time of this writing, Maarten is hitting beautiful 14's in Agility, Balance, and Reflexes, signaling to the world that he is a goalkeeper built on the idea that stopping the ball from entering the net is the key to victory (what a nerd, amirite?). Foregoing any TPE placement into the technical stats, it is clear that Slothlenburg is focusing on building a solid foundation from which to build his future on, and I firmly believe that time will show Slothlenburg to be on the right track. The one knock against Maarten (maybe, I also don't know what I'm talking about so feel free to come for me) would be that his mental toughness is lacking, and I believe this could potentially lead to Slothlenburg getting shaken if the goals start to pile up. He will need to toughen up that mindset in the future, so that his mentality is as strong as his goalkeeping abilities.


Gianlugia Bufoon

I mean, what even is this idiot doing? It's clear that Gianlugia has Italian blood coursing though his veins, as he has traded off goalkeeping attributes in favour of mental toughness and hard headedness. Currently rocking a 13 in Agility and Reflexes only, Gianlugia has spread his TPE across each category of attributes, and spent more time that he'd probably admit hardening that already hard Italian head. Bufoon looks to have adopted the philosophy that good goalkeeping starts with the mind, and has truly become one with the idea that "Live, Laugh, Love" is the goalkeepers motto. The one knock against Bufoon is that, well, he's not nearly as strong at physically stopping the ball. Which, I mean, is there something to say for mental toughness? I don't know, but I do know that I might lean towards the goalkeeper who can actually stop shots. But what do I know? I still call this soccer.


Final Notes

Statistically, both keepers are around the same in most stats, with Bufoon getting a small edge overall, but both keepers have struggled away from their home field and and are currently sporting overall match ratings in the 6.5 to 6.8 range, with neither netting a clean sheet to start the season. Only time will show if the mind overcomes the body, or if the body overcomes the mind. One thing I do know? Both keepers are destined for greatness, so sit back in your seats and enjoy the show.

[slothfacekilla]

Love this appreciate the write up. I wish I had any idea of what I was doing with my build lol

[Domffl]

it's true, sloth is quite lacking in the mental department. I read his medical charts.

[OTK]

Love the write-up, best of luck to both goalies this season

[Hero19]

Great insight into an otherwise forgotten and underappreciated position on the pitch,

Definitely a lot to build on here, you've got a lot of strong details for each player and isolated their key skills (Or investment in irrelevant skills as you tactfully put). 

Media grade 4/5