239: Joe Prodomo | Portsmouth Goalkeeper Coach
This week's feature interview is another enlightening discussion with a goalkeeper coach. Just like James Belshaw last week, Joe Prodomo has a unique story to tell. A modest non-league playing career suggested no immediate signs of a transition into professional coaching. If anything, a shot at teaching appeared to be his likely path. Then an impromptu gig with Weymouth - thanks to connection...
56m Apr 12, 2023
56m
238: Between the Sticks #163
After much consultation, it was decided to record this week's Between the Sticks before the second round of Easter EFL fixtures. Reasons being threefold: 1) Aaron Ramsdale pulled off that performance against Liverpool and it couldn't wait another two days to talk about. 2) Ivan Toney saw a penalty saved by Nick Pope after Rich claimed in last week's show that the Brentford man would never not...
48m Apr 10, 2023
48m
237: James Belshaw
This week's feature interview provides yet another take on the route into professional goalkeeping. James Belshaw has had quite the journey. A journey saturated with sliding doors. After turning down a pro contract at Walsall, he opted to put education first and fled the country to North Carolina where he earned honours in History, Business, Marketing and Management at Duke University. An of...
1hr 4m Apr 06, 2023
1hr 4m
236: Between the Sticks #162
Remember when penalties used to purely be about the taker trying to score past the goalkeeper? Sure. The premise remains the same, but over the years odds have gradually been strengthened in that taker's favour. And just when you thought restrictions upon goalkeepers in such a scenario couldn't be restricted any further, IFAB have decided to dig just that little bit deeper in the past week. A...
34m Apr 03, 2023
34m
235: Rob Green: Extra-Time
That's it. We've eked out every last drop of our chat with Rob Green, so here's the third and final instalment in the trilogy of chats. Aside from discussing his final ever season with Chelsea, Rob goes into detail about that moment against USA at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He doesn't pull any punches and lifts the lid on what life was like under Fabio Capello, how he dealt with the c...
51m Mar 27, 2023
51m
234: Ben Foster to Wrexham | How the deal was done
As you have no doubt already seen, ex-Premier League and England goalkeeper Ben Foster has come out of retirement to join Wrexham AFC. So much to be said on this one, especially considering Rich played a huge part in orchestrating the move. Here's a quick 15 minutes explaining how the deal was conceived, negotiations with Wrexham and why it's a decent match-up for both parties.
16m Mar 23, 2023
16m
233: Between the Sticks #161
You can't be a bit of FA Cup action, which is why the Quarter Finals kick off this week's show. We start at Old Trafford with a great save from, er, Willian, and discuss questionable ITV Sport punditry regarding the performances of David de Gea and Sheffield United's Wesley Foderingham. In the Premier League, Illan Meslier continues to add to his growing roster of youthful landmarks, David Ra...
52m Mar 20, 2023
52m
232: Willy Caballero
It's been a while since we've conducted a proper feature interview, so we're delighted to post this latest podcast with ex-Manchester City and Chelsea stopper, Willy Caballero. Now at Southampton, Willy charts his rise from humble beginnings in Argentina to saving penalties in EFL Cup Final shootouts at Wembley. We talk Joe Hart and Edwin van der Sar, a tricky transition from La Liga to the P...
57m Mar 16, 2023
57m
231: Between the Sticks #160
It appears there may have been something in the goalkeeping water this weekend. From Nick Pope not giving away a penalty to forward roll fights and Harry Lewis nonchalantly catching a ball over the top a good ten yards outside of his area, the global glovesmen game veered a little left field. And that's what we love, of course. Because it gives us plenty to talk about, in addition to the cust...
44m Mar 13, 2023
44m
230: Between the Sticks #159
Following another week's hiatus (apologies, unforeseen circumstances meant recording had to take a back seat last week) we've hopefully made up for it with a comprehensive analysis of the weekend just gone – plus a few snippets from the previous week missed. That means a look at Loris Karius' comeback performance in the Carabao Cup Final, a clean sheet record broken by David de Gea and a landm...
54m Mar 06, 2023
54m
229: Rob Green: 2nd-half
Unforeseen scheduling changes meant we weren't able to record this week, so to fill the void we're dipping back into the vault for another dose of Rob Green... Two years after the first. The first-half focused on, well, the first half of his career. This second-half hones in on what came next and a complete debacle of a situation at QPR. Then, as extra-time rolls in at some point over the next...
44m Mar 02, 2023
44m
228: Between the Sticks #158
Good to be back! Between the Sticks returns with a comprehensive roundup of the weekend's action, where David de Gea equalled a long-standing record, Nick Pope ruled himself out of a first club trip to Wembley and Emi Martinez went against the wishes of his manager - much to the public dismay of said manager. In the EFL, the Goalkeeper Assist klaxon is sounded for Nicholas Bilokapic of Hudders...
55m Feb 20, 2023
55m
227: Between the Sticks #157
Two huge Premier League derbies this week. Two huge goalkeeping talking points. Should Bruno Fernandes' goal have stood as Manchester United equalised and then defeated Man City? And was Hugo Lloris at fault for the opener in Spurs' North London loss at home to Arsenal? Both questions are rather vociferously answered by Mr Lee in this podcast, in addition to analysis of performances from Kepa...
49m Jan 16, 2023
49m
226: Between the Sticks #156
No full complement of league action, of course, but an eventful FA Cup Third Round weekend provided plenty of goalkeeping talking points. None more so than at Old Trafford where David de Gea bizarrely let one slip in Manchester United's victory over Everton, followed up by a playing-out-from-the-back error courtesy of Alisson as Liverpool were taken to a replay by Wolves. On the flip side, Sh...
44m Jan 09, 2023
44m
225: Between the Sticks #155
After a brief break for the festive season, GKU returns for a slightly alternative Between the Sticks offering. With games here, there and everywhere, we instead reflect on goalkeeping in 2022 as a whole while factoring in a selection of recent action. Rich answers "five big questions" with top performers and surprise packages named from the Premier League to League Two. Happy New Year to on...
55m Jan 03, 2023
55m
224: Between the Sticks #154
With the World Cup finally wrapped for another four years, we analyse what was without a doubt the most epic of finals ever seen on the global's greatest showpiece (for those born in 1982 at least). Performances (and antics) from Emi Martinez and Hugo Lloris are given a nod, as are a fair few comments from commentators made throughout the tournament.
40m Dec 21, 2022
40m
223: Between the Sticks #153
With Rich away, Everton's Asmir Begovic rejoins the ranks to cover off all the key action from the previous two rounds of the 2022 World Cup. Key topics include penalty shootouts involving heroics from Bono, Dominik Livakovic and Emi Martinez, while Asmir also shines a light on what life has been like for goalkeepers not in Qatar.
49m Dec 12, 2022
49m
222: Between the Sticks #152
What’s this? A Saturday pod?! With the theme of today's show being speed-based, we'll make this very quick. Just a few hours before the Round of 16 commences in Qatar, we tail off the final batch of group games. Key focus is on Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Manuel Neuer and Unai Simon amid a mad 48 hours of World Cup drama.
41m Dec 03, 2022
41m
221: Between the Sticks #151
In a bid to not over-promise and under-deliver (classic Richard Leeism, that), we did state our next Between the Sticks would be three-to-four days after the last. Thankfully, we've managed to sync schedules and produce the following. All the key action from the majority of second group games is covered, including Diogo Costa's near mishap against Ghana and Wayne Hennessey's absolute mishap i...
53m Nov 28, 2022
53m
220: Between the Sticks #150
On Day Five of the Qatar World Cup, we reflect on the key action from the first four days. Top topics include: - Mohammed Al Owais and his MOM display in Saudi Arabia's win over Argentina - An international debut for new Netherlands No1, Andries Noppert - Criticism of Edouard Mendy and Manual Neuer in opening game defeats for Senegal and Germany respectively Enjoy!
40m Nov 24, 2022
40m
219: Between the Sticks #149
It's good to talk, which is how we start this week's Between the Sticks. Aside from Rich offering up some motivational anecdotes over the past week, we read out a listener's email focusing on anxiety and nervousness in aspiring goalkeepers as young as ten years old. Additionally, we ponder a question which isn't often asked despite the regular use of its main subject: What and where exactly i...
50m Nov 08, 2022
50m
218: Between the Sticks #148
Rich explains the fortnight absence before delving into all the goalkeeping action from the weekend, plus a few snippets we missed last time out. There's a nod to three goalkeeping substitutions in the Premier League (plus another in the Scottish Championship), matchwinning performances from Illan Meslier and David de Gea (although the latter still not deemed decent enough for a provisional 55...
59m Nov 01, 2022
59m
217: Between the Sticks #147
In this week's episode, we take a look at the return of Kepa to Chelsea's No1 fold. Circumstance may have prompted his selection ahead of a then injured Edouard Mendy, but the Spaniard has since established himself as Graham Potter's favoured goalkeeper - and he's not conceded in the past four outings. Fellow countryman David Raya produced another match-winning performance for Brentford as the...
50m Oct 17, 2022
50m
216: Between the Sticks #146
Following another European sojourn for Richard, it's another Tuesday podcast this week. All the usual stuff, however. Some quick chat about his time with Uwe Rosler at Brentford before a dissection of the Premier League and EFL, plus a 'Keeper Caper from Portugal and some very rare stopper squabbles over in Denmark.
41m Oct 11, 2022
41m
215: Between the Sticks #145
Apologies for the late arrival of this one, but viewers of the Fozcast will be well aware of the reasons. Yes, Richard rejoined his ex-teammate for a chat about all things goalkeeping and all things goalkeeper agent(ing) on Monday, thus pushing this particular episode back a day. Naturally, we cover his guest appearance on the show in a very tight Manchester United top, plus all the key actio...
37m Oct 04, 2022
37m
214: Fozcast Reaction
We're going to take a wild stab in the dark that listeners of this podcast are almost certainly avid listeners of Ben Foster's Fozcast. That being the case, you'll have all heard a familiar name on this week's YouTube phenomenon. For when announcing his retirement, Foz mentioned a certain Richard Lee and the part our apparent "Goalkeeping Super Agent" played in a rollercoaster of a day which c...
56m Sep 20, 2022
56m
213: Between the Sticks #143
Wow. Insane. Two words used by Jurgen Klopp to describe the performances of Jordan Pickford and Alisson in the weekend's Merseyside derby. He also asked, "What can you do?" And our answer to that is to produce a podcast which delves a little deeper into what we all saw at Goodison Park. Equally impressive displays were seen at St James' Park in the form of Nick Pope and Vicente Guaita - the ...
38m Sep 06, 2022
38m
212: Asmir Begovic joins GKU
"Hold on a minute. Is that a regular episode of Between the Sticks... But with Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and not the Voice of Goalkeeping, Richard Lee?" Well, funny you should ask... Because it most certainly is. With Mr Lee otherwise engaged, we've drafted in a new voice for what will become a semi-regular slot on our weekly analysis show. Asmir joins GKU to cover all the key goalkee...
43m Aug 29, 2022
43m
211: Between the Sticks #141
Following his much-maligned performance at Brentford last week, David de Gea fronted up in both body and mind to help Manchester United to victory over Liverpool. It's testament to a stopper who, despite his continued critics, continues to remind everyone just why he's still commonly regarded as one of the world's best. In the North East, Nick Pope kept Man City at bay and bagged another MOM ...
51m Aug 23, 2022
51m
210: Between the Sticks #140
You couldn't have asked for more contrasting fortunes concerning Manchester United goalkeepers at the weekend. Dean Henderson, on loan at Nottingham Forest and off the back of some pretty scathing remarks about his parent club, had a worldy. David de Gea, very much the chosen No1 much to the chagrin of Henderson at Old Trafford, struggled in a 4-0 defeat to Brentford. All that, plus another M...
55m Aug 16, 2022
55m
209: Between the Sticks #139
It starts. Another new season. Another beginning for a bunch of Between the Sticks from now until May. All the same stuff: Premier League to League Two and anything outside of that which warrants special goalkeeper attention. And by the same stuff, we do sadly mean an immediate return for Commentary Corner. Jamie Carragher flexed his analytical inadequacies when it comes to goalkeeping in ru...
40m Aug 08, 2022
40m
208: Transfer Special: GKs On Their Way #02
Another month along means another month of goalkeeping comings and goings – and plenty of them, too. We return with a full recap of all domestic transfers throughout July, plus a smattering of the best from Scotland and Europe. A familiar friend in the EFL Overview is also back in shorter form following the commencement of the new campaign at the weekend. Next week, once the Premier League h...
35m Aug 03, 2022
35m
207: Transfer Special: GKs On Their Way
Following a bit of post-season downtime, we're back with a quick recap of all the goalkeeping moves to have occurred over the past few weeks. More, plus a planned return of some feature interviews, coming up throughout the summer.
23m Jun 27, 2022
23m
206: Between the Sticks #138
For the final analysis-based Between the sticks of the season, we focus on an epic, record-breaking Champions League Final performance from Thibaut Courtois. The Real Madrid stopper has asked for respect to be put on his name, and it's certainly fair to say he thoroughly deserves it. Congrats go to Brice Samba, Ethan Horvath and Aidan Stone for playing their part in Nottingham Forest and Port ...
36m May 30, 2022
36m
205: Between the Sticks #137
After a very quick break, we're back to cover off the final few matchdays of the Premier League season, plus all the key action from the semi-finals and finals of the FA Cup, Scottish Cup, Europa League, FA Trophy and EFL Playoffs. GKs On Their Way returns as the goalkeeper transfer market leaps into action and, more import, the Clean Sheet Club King of 2022 is crowned.
1hr 10m May 23, 2022
1hr 10m
204: Between the Sticks #136
All the key action from the Premier League is here, including yet another match-winning performance from Jordan Pickford, a nine-out-of-ten performance from Robert Sanchez and a moment from Illan Meslier we've seen before and almost certainly will see again. Elsewhere, a thrilling final day in League Two saw goalkeepers take centre stage, as did Orjan Nyland in helping Luton reach their lofty ...
38m May 10, 2022
38m
203: Between the Sticks #135
It's another Tuesday pod (we promise not to make a habit of this) and another pod where Jordan Pickford takes centre stage. England's No1 (England's, England's No1) pulled off the No1 performance from a Premier League goalkeeper at the weekend – as per post-shot xG stats revealed by StatsBomb. In the EFL, Matt Ingram was drafted in on an emergency Luton loan with quite the baptism of fire at ...
49m May 03, 2022
49m
202: Between the Sticks #134
Sorry we're a bit late! The bumper Easter show we had lined up last week has been half-slotted into this week’s effort, but the action is mainly from the weekend where Nick Pope’s recent run of form is keeping Burnley’s survival hopes alive. We discuss how the landscape is looking for England with Pope, Fraser Forster and Aaron Ramsdale all dividing opinion on whether they can challenge Jordan...
1hr 4m Apr 25, 2022
1hr 4m
201: Between the Sticks #133
Yet again another incidental weekend of goalkeeping action across England's four tiers. No fewer than seven replacements had to be drafted in across the EFL due to either a pre-match injury, in-game injury or red card. It meant rare league appearances for Jacks Walton and Rose, plus a professional debut for QPR's Murphy Cooper. In the Premier League, Fraser Forster had one of those days where...
1hr 19m Apr 12, 2022
1hr 19m
200: Between the Sticks #132
Continuing the theme theme of recent episodes, we take a look at how the luck of a goalkeeper can vary when parrying efforts on goal. Some, as we saw with Alisson and David Raya at the weekend, mount counterattacks from which teams take the lead. Others, as we saw with Kasper Schmeichel and Fraser Forster, can fall to opposition players and result in goals conceded. Commentary Corner is back ...
57m Apr 05, 2022
57m
199: Between the Sticks #131
After QPR's David Marshall suffered an injury in the midweek defeat to Nottingham Forest, the club found themselves in the unenviable position of having four first-team goalkeepers out of action. With Dillon Barnes (essentially a No6) recalled from a loan spell and waiting in the wings, Mark Warburton wasn't able to dip into the emergency loan market and instead plumped for Keiren Westwood – o...
45m Mar 21, 2022
45m
198: Between the Sticks #130
Love-ins for Aaron Ramsdale and Lee Nicholls take centre stage with media and pundits calling for both to be recognised by England manager Gareth Southgate. Text Talk returns with Joe Lumley talking us through a point-saving save for Middlesbrough in their draw at Millwall, Clean Sheet Club goes into overdrive with what we reckon is the highest number of entries since the franchise began and, ...
1hr 13m Mar 14, 2022
1hr 13m
197: Alex Stepney
Here's Alex Stepney talking goalkeeping then and now. Bit different, this one. Big Al pulls no punches in how he still expects the fundamentals of the position to take priority over any of the modern elements of today's game. We mention in the podcast that the ins and outs of Alex's career were left to one side for this episode. Tales of non-league to European Cup winner in the space of five ...
48m Mar 10, 2022
48m
196: Between the Sticks #129
Business as usual this week with a full compliment of goalkeeping analysis to set those glove-based juices a-flowin'. In the Premier League Aaron Ramsdale racked up his 150th career club outing while Kasper Schmeichel moved up to third in Leicester's all-time appearance list. Dan Iversen produced one of the saves of the season as Preston bagged a big win over Bournemouth in the Championship –...
1hr Mar 07, 2022
1hr
195: Between the Sticks #128
All the reaction from the Carabao Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool. The decision to bring Kepa on. That shootout. That penalty. And the performance of Caoimhin Kelleher,  who has now won three shootouts with Liverpool, more than any other goalkeeper in the club's history.
45m Mar 01, 2022
45m
194: Between the Sticks #127
Hugo Lloris, Kasper Schmeichel, Illan Meslier, David de Gea and Marek Rodak were all on the receiving end of misjudged analysis at the weekend. Of course, we're used to it by now, but always worth flagging on here. In better news, Alisson bagged an assist, Jose Sa continued his fine form at Wolves and Ederson pulled off one of the saves of the season in Man City's home defeat to Tottenham. El...
48m Feb 21, 2022
48m
193: Between the Sticks #126
From Glenn Hoddle's utterly ridiculous analysis of David de Gea to a Save of the Weekend contender from Illan Meslier, the Premier League was jam packed with goalkeeping action this weekend. As was the Championship with Brice Samba's rush of blood to the head taking centre stage alongside the key moments elsewhere in the EFL. Listener questions are answered, GK PI returns over in North Buckin...
1hr 7m Feb 15, 2022
1hr 7m
192: No1 Mindset with Dan Abrahams
It's not often we have a guest on this podcast who is neither not nor has ever been a goalkeeper. Step forward Dan Abrahams. As a leader in sports psychology who has worked with top names in football, Dan offers a take on goalkeeping mindset from a professional's perspective. Hopefully you can take plenty from this chat. And it's well worth listening to it more than just the one time. The con...
1hr 6m Feb 10, 2022
1hr 6m
191: Between the Sticks #125
Glory be, where to start with the madness from another eventful few days in goalkeeping punditry? Perhaps we should instead focus on glorious performances from Taye Ashby-Hammond, Luke Simpson and Mike Cooper - three goalkeepers all attempting to write giantkilling history and all coming so close to a perfect hat-trick. In the end, Ashby-Hammond was the one triumphant with Boreham Wood seeing ...
47m Feb 07, 2022
47m
190: Between the Sticks #124
All the weekend's key action from the EFL is discussed, including another star performance from Blackpool's ever-improving Daniel Grimshaw. The Tangerines escaped from Craven Cottage with a draw thanks to their now No1 – no mean feat against a Fulham side banging in the goals of late. In League One, James Trafford – on loan at Bolton from Manchester City – bagged the first assist of his fledgl...
43m Jan 31, 2022
43m