Source: Daily_Mail
Golden Oldies: Sportsmail investigates why goalkeepers hit their prime at 40
Life begins at 40, as the well-known saying goes, and these days it certainly doesn't act as a signal for professional footballers to hang up their boots.[LNB]This is especially true of goalkeepers who, like a fine wine, seem to get better with age. [LNB]But why are we seeing 40-plus shot stoppers like Edwin van der Sar, Brad Friedel and now Jens Lehmann being entrusted rather than an 18-year-old with a bright future?[LNB] Imperious: Van der Saar[LNB]Going strong: Brad Friedel[LNB]Shock return: Lehmann[LNB] After all, in every other area of the pitch, managers tend to throw in an unknown teenage quantity rather than select a wise old head, and that can mean anyone over the age of 35.[LNB]One big factor in a goalkeeper's favour is pace. The modern game, especially in the Premier League, is built upon on it and it's no secret that the average footballer is quicker and more agile in their mid-20s than in their mid-30s.[LNB]Save for the odd lunatic moment when they charge out of their area, it is one ability that is not key to being a top class goalkeeper.[LNB]But being a good stopper requires more than just good reflexes and being able to comfortably claim crosses. Much of the hard work revolves around getting the mental side of the game.[LNB]It's hard to think of a playing position where experience is much more important. With the best view of the game on the pitch, a veteran goalkeeper has much more wisdom and command at hand to organise his defence than a fresh- faced youngster.[LNB] That isn't to say young goalkeepers are useless. Iker Casillas kept a clean sheet in a Champions League final when he was just 19, but even his early career saw plenty of wonderful agile saves mixed in with some na?ve decision making that briefly cost him his starting place at Real Madrid.[LNB] Question marks: Casillas' form has been questioned in recent years[LNB] Another goalkeeping trait that is crucial is positional sense which also gets better with age.[LNB]You may not see the likes of Van der Sar leap around his goal as much as he did in his 20s but that is because he already knows roughly where to be when a shot or cross is fired in.[LNB] Arguably United's best player this season, the Dutchman has still made great saves but his mind has already given his ageing body a head-start due to the benefits of his many years in the game.[LNB]Old goalkeepers are not a new phenomenon and have proved to be a winning formula in a number of sides. Dino Zoff was 40 when he won the World Cup with Italy in 1982, while much has been written about Sir Alex Ferguson's troubles to replace Peter Schmeichel after winning the treble in 1999.[LNB]The Premier League itself has been no stranger to having 'Father Time' in goal. [LNB]Steve Ogrizovic played his last game for Coventry when he was 43, while top flight sides in desperate need for cover have brought in eyebrow raising replacements.[LNB]Bradford City turned to Neville Southall in 2000, who despite being 41 and carrying a little extra baggage than during his glory days at Everton, was still the preferred choice for a West Yorkshire derby with Leeds.[LNB]But the biggest shout of all goes to Manchester City's John Burridge, who at the age of 43 years and four months is the oldest player to ever appear in the Premier League.[LNB] Defying the odds: Kevin Poole is still playing for Burton Albion at the age of 47[LNB] He came on as a half-time sub against Newcastle in April 1995 and kept a clean sheet as City earned a point at Maine Road. This was no mid-table fixture either as Newcastle were battling for a place in Europe and City were fighting relegation.[LNB] Yet the age barrier stretches even further. Leicester's former Premier League keeper Kevin Poole is still appearing between the sticks at 47 for Burton Albion, while Peter Shilton at the same age went past 1000 appearances whilst playing for Leyton Orient in 1996.[LNB] Even England managers going back to Sir Bobby Robson have opted for the old hand in goal. Shilton was 40 when he helped the Three Lions reach the World Cup semi-finals, while Sven Goran Eriksson still had faith in 39-year-old David Seaman after the 2002 World Cup.[LNB]And after 'that' Robert Green error in South Africa, 39-year-old David James was picked over young starlet Joe Hart.[LNB]That was the acid test, as Hart had been in incredible form for Birmingham the previous season. Even a highly respected coach such as Fabio Capello though had more faith in James' experience than the unquestionable talent of Hart.[LNB]The City stopper has since taken over as England's No 1 goalkeeper but just like Casillas has made a few high profile errors this season for both club and country.[LNB]Such fine margins can be the difference in not just winning or losing matches but tournaments as well, and it seems many managers agree that picking a pair of safe hands, no matter how old, can far outweigh the benefits of blooding a raw youngster.[LNB] Gunner stunner! Lehmann answers Wenger's SOS over keeper crisisThe good, the bad, the funny and the ugly of Arsenal's 'Crazy Jens' LehmannVan der Sar demands final fling as retiring keeper targets FA Cup gloryFriedel still undecided on future as he becomes oldest Aston Villa player ever [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Robert Green, Peter Shilton, Fabio Capello, Sven Goran Eriksson, Edwin Van Der Sar, Jens Lehmann, Joe Hart, Neville Southall, David James, David Seaman, Bobby Robson Places: Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa, Europe
