Pitch-side: Keyper by Isyhraff Marwan Ishak!

This article popped out after a dismal win of Arsenal against Huddersfield. Day by day, my level of compassion towards Bernd Leno is growing rapidly.

Of course, being a goalkeeper standing between the sticks, guarding the goal from getting leaked by the opponent is not a simple task. It is more like, easier said than done. Spectators always take custodian lightly and in some occasions, for granted. Everyone seems to become so thirst of goals until the vital role of a keeper suddenly being apparently abandoned. For some people, football game without goals galore are boring and dull. Soccer only turns out to be entertaining when it is goal downpour. Games only grow interest and attractive when goals come along. From my perspective as a goalkeeper, I don't think so. If football is all about goals, then you're possibly a bookie.

Spain legendary and a World Cup winner Iker Casillas once said, "Every people want to score goals but otherwise, I want to stop it,". He continued, "That is what makes goalkeeping becomes so special yet underrated,". As the last line of defence, tensions are well placed heavily on their shoulders. The team's fate depends on them. Their badge and colours are relying on their form. If they are playing positively then everyone will get benefitted from it. Goalkeepers are able to weave some magic apart from footworks, to create the impossible, to defy the dogma, to oppose the stigma. As I saw just now when Roberto Firmino was getting clear and only Artur Boruc was separating him and the goal, he fired the ball on target only to be smothered calmly by Boruc, at time when my fellow Liverpool peep had already shouted Goal in the last harakat. He muted afterwards.

Goalies and defence are closely related to each other. As solid defence shall compromise and boost the mentality of a keeper, for example Joe Hart in Burnley. As well as great keepers shall convince the defence to appear better, in case of Marc-Andre ter Stegen of Barcelona. Both sides offer so much to each other that juxtaposed the main point of football itself; cooperation. There are teams that bring enormous force when attacking but their defence are frantic. There are also teams that build solid back to wall their goal, but their attacking prowess are blunt and not clinical. In order to become a successful and cupboard full of trophy team, they have to be balanced and optional in every position. The squad depth plays big role in determining who is better to showcase their talent. If not, the team will be haggling to become consistent.

In big leagues everyone is discussing about top scorers, top assists and such but rarely goalkeeping topics get in the scene for debatable. As if their countless of saves goes begging without getting a proper memorial. Even though goalies are often addressed as unsung heroes, but they are still heroes that even though they can't contribute much but they pour their heart all out for the triumph. Everyone remembers Iniesta's winner against Holland in 2010 World Cup final but who saved and paved their way through the thorny knockout stages? Read – Iker Casillas. France easily cruised to a 4-2 win against Croatia but remember when Lloris made a stupendous save to deny Caceres' header that can become a turning point in the quarter-final? All these bollocks remember only his disastrous footwork that gifted Mandzukic a final World Cup goal and cost him a Golden Glove. Funny, isn't it?

Photo Credit: James Williamson : Getty Images

That’s simply why keepers are seems to be another key player to the team. As Pep Guardiola once said, “A team who doesn’t utilise their keeper will only play with ten players. But a team that fully and precisely fulfils their keeper’s capability shall play with eleven peoples. Therefore the latter have a rather useful advantage,”. Even though sometimes keeper seems to be deemed as unimportant and for often times being side lined from the other teammates but for most of the progressive clubs and trophy challenger teams, keeper can always be their weakest points. Then it is no surprise when Guardiola brought Ederson in for £35million in order to replace ageing Claudio Bravo who seems lacking in physicality to compete in the Premier League. For latest astonishments look at how Klopp reacted after Karius made double blunders in the Champions League final, he immediately bought Alisson for a then-world record fee of £66.8million, and now the Kop won’t have to worry about their defence anymore as now they are currently on the right way – I suggest - to win their very first Premier League after almost 29 years if I’m not mistaken. Now that’s both of Brazilian keepers of the most expensive price tag. Then Chelsea said, “Hold my beer,”

Goalkeeping can be cruel sometimes, for example Denmark v Croatia game. You can at least guarantee that if a keeper saves two or more penalties in the shoot-out, their team shall go through. The thing was Schmeichel jr. saved two but denied by Subasic, who saved three. It was such an emphatic scene when you see how both of them worked real hard to shut their opponents down. At last, it can’t be two winners. Or else, look at Bernd Leno. He performed consistently and persistently, and at some time he proved that he's a dependable keeper and worth his price tag but he just can't get that awaited clean sheet because of the shambolic defence standing in front of him. You can save thousands of shots but your life would feel flawed if you can't sort out that clean sheet. It would be something wrong if you pulled up 10 saves yet you failed to get a clean sheet. It will be a job done if you save nothing but still regain the clean sheet, but otherwise your life will be absolutely doomed. Clean sheet is like an icing of the cake. The most important thing is, saves. Denies. Tim Howard done 16 saves against Belgium yet Belgium were through. Who made Holland possible to get to the 2014 World Cup semi-final? Safe to say it was the long armed Tim Krul. You can at least be superior and happy for saving 15 shots even though your team lost 1-2, than feeling downgraded and appalled for saving none when your team lost 0-1. There is absolutely a huge border of rollercoaster of feelings between them. Goosebumps.

Alas, keepers are unique guys. And hugely unattended.

This article was written, edited and finished days after the demise of England’s great and former World Cup winner, Gordon Banks. Managed to get the NASL goalkeeper of the year in 1977 despite only playing with one eye – he met with a damaging accident in 1972 which cost his right eye. An inspiration for many, regardless of keepers or outfield players. Regarded by IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics) as the second greatest keeper in the 20th century behind the late extraordinary Lev Yashin. Rest well, with peace. From me, a keeper, an admirer.

This Write up was written by Isyhraff Marwan Ishak!, who you can follow @1capmarwan Twitter. Thank you Isyhraff for the write up on padangbolasepak.com!

Pitch-Side: Is a new series by Padangbolasepak.com where passionate and eloquent football fans can share their sincerest thoughts about the state of the sport. Disclaimer, it is their respectful opinion on the matter, padangbolasepak.com just merely provides the space to host these honest write ups.