Matthew Hall
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Schwarzer: England's Number One
So, it's official. The Premier League's top goalkeeper is Australian.
As you can read elsewhere in The Sun-Herald this weekend, Mark Schwarzer was named the best goalkeeper in England last week.
Schwarzer told me on Thursday that he'll take whatever plaudits come his way, especially after being written off by some in the media and at his former club, Middlesbrough.
The Socceroo claimed the crown based on statistical analysis by sports data analysts OPTA. There's no need to be blinded by science - the numbers are pretty straightforward.
Fulham, Schwarzer's club, have the fourth-best defensive record in the league and only Scott Carson, 'keeper at under-the-pump bottom side West Bromwich Albion, has faced more attempts on goal.
According to OPTA, the equation, with saves made and a shots-to-save ratio, looks something like this:
1 Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) 117 80.69%
2 Pepe Reina (Liverpool) 75 78.12%
3 Petr Cech (Chelsea) 69 77.53%
4 Van der Sar (Man U) 61 77.22%
5 Huerelo Gomes (Spurs) 101 76.52%
"The idea is to try and save as many as possible and if that is 150 shots or 100 shots, it doesn't matter, so long as you save a hell of a lot more than you let in," Schwarzer said.
"I have definitely received more recognition this season than previously, without a doubt," he added. "There have been other seasons where I've played equally as well, but not received the same credit.
"Maybe that is to do with the club I have been playing at (He's talking about Middlesbrough - MH). When you're at a club for such a long time maybe you get forgotten about a little bit. I leave those judgements to the so-called experts and I just go out there and play as well as I possibly can and do my job, whether that is for Australia or Fulham."
This is all a bit of a turnaround for Schwarzer, who I still vividly recall struggling to contain his true feelings after Australia's comeback draw against Croatia in Stuttgart at the 2006 World Cup.
The day after that match, which he had been dropped for in favour of Zeljko Kalac, Schwarzer trained on his own after the rest of the squad had the day off. Finishing his workout, he sat on the steps of the team bus, peeling off his kit, still frustrated by Hiddink's call the day before.
No one knew at that stage who the supposedly infallible Hiddink would select to face Italy in the next high-stakes game. Schwarzer versus Kalac became one of the plotlines for Australia's tournament.
Of Hiddink today, Schwarzer will say that the Dutchman is good at getting teams to perform. That's about it.
Some doubted Schwarzer's ability to kick on after the World Cup. Today, as far as Australia's national team, there's no one to even touch him.
The Premier League? Well, statistics, however they are spun, tell a story. This one ends with Schwarzer as the Premier League's Number One.
COMMENTS
Way to go Mark Schwarzer! Congratulations to a fine athlete and a wonderful Australian on this wonderful award and achievement. He is a wonderful ambassador for football overseas and in Australia. He is one of my favourite Socceroos.
- by Travelling_Max on April 26, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Mark Schwarzer is a legend and the best performing player for the Socceroos over the last five years. His saves took us to the last World Cup. Whenever the Socceroos play Schwarzy turns up and gives it his best. It's taken a long time but it's good to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves.
And it is a mystery why Hiddink dumped him at the last World Cup. I guess Guus is entitled to one dopey decision. Pim certainly hasn't repeated it I notice
Another timely article Matthew, keep them coming.
- by Peter on April 26, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Its great to see Schwarzey get recognised.
By the way we really need to have a chat with the FFA about their decision to play the Sydney FC v Townsville game at the SCG.
Perhaps the offer to play there was too good to refuse financially or perhaps Archie Fraser has spent too much time in the AFL and has forgotten that football is played on a rectangular field!!
- by Chris Jack on April 26, 2009 at 01:40 PM
bit of a filler for this week but we've known for a while that Schwarzer has been under-rated. The debate between Schwarzer and Kalac should have finished after the Uruguay qualifers.
and it's no surprise that he's hit top form like the rest of the Fulham squad since Roy Hodgson took over and rejuvenated the London club
- by thom kelly on April 26, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Give the bloke a knighthood I say. He's saved our skin way too often. A great ambassador for the game too.
- by MC on April 26, 2009 at 08:02 PM
A great keeper and, to all appearances, a great bloke.
Australian football would be far poorer without him.
- by Stuart on April 27, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Great to see perseverance and all round good guy-ness pay off. He was the allround good guy at school, and its a real pleasure to see him excel and then excel some more...
- by Emma on April 27, 2009 at 09:06 AM
I don't think anyone would ever doubt Schwarzer as a world class shot stopper, however I still think poor old Dracula is still a bit wary of those crosses.
Best performing socceroo is Tim Cahill however, I don't see Schwarzer recieving a Ballon D'or nomination anytime soon
Credit to him for a top season tho, he has been a major contributor to arguably the Cottages best season in almost a decade
- by Mac on April 27, 2009 at 09:45 AM
In my view Schwarzer is one of the finest sportsmen to have represented Australia, in any sport, and is peerless as a fotballer in the modern era. yes Johnny Warren has been a great inspiration, but Mark has been a fierce competitor and true gentleman - a unique combination that marks him out from all the rest.
- by Kenny on April 27, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Speaking as a boro fan, we never underestimated Schwarz; he was (and still is) a legend, one of our greatest players, and seemingly a top guy too. Fans in the north-east warm to players like that, and the boro fans love him.
It's true he was underrated, but that was by the UK media in general, who do tend to overlook long-standing players at smaller clubs. There were rumours about Man Utd swooping in for him a few years ago, and I was always quite surprised that we managed to hold on to him for as long as we did.
Still good to see him playing so well, even if not for boro.
- by Bob on April 27, 2009 at 12:14 PM
He's a legend.
Great that he is being recognised even if only unooficially by some mathematical equation. His career has never been marked with a stint at one of the top clubs yet his record has been impeccable. Someone give him an OAM!!!
- by Jed Petersen on April 27, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Chris; You mean you've never heard of a square peg fitting into a round hole?
PS I agree with travelling Max
- by Impatient on April 27, 2009 at 01:04 PM
It is great to see Mark Schwarzer get recognised in this manner. Fulham have surpassed expectations with their performance this year and it is too easy for the manager and attacking section of the team to take credit when a team is winning. The goalie often cops grief as part of a losing side as the final piece of the defence but he rarely gets the praise he often deserves for his role in a winning squad.
Congrats Mark
- by Marty on April 27, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Congrats Hall, I've been a critic of yours in the past but you've turned in a half decent article here.
Mark Schwarzer is the reason why Fulham are in the position they are in; that is, contending for a European place rather than fighting to stay up. Him and Roy Hodgson, who has gotten the very best out of an average squad. He's had an excellent season and deserves all the praise he gets.
To say he was written off by some at Boro is wide of the mark I think; all of the Boro fans I know idolised "Skippy" and still do.
This is compounded by the fact that his replacement and fellow Socceroo Brad Jones is distinctly average.
I still get the feeling that he may be a little suspect from crosses but he's second to not many 'keepers in the world with his shot-stopping.
On a side note, I think it's fantastic that Gomes is so far up that list considering the horror start to the season he had. Just shows the effects of some Harry Redknapp magic.
- by Dave on April 27, 2009 at 02:06 PM
Mark deserves any and all kudos coming his way. His career is testimony to someone who has always exhibited an outstanding level of dedication and proffessionalism. There is so much to celebrate about this guy and his career. He is very much the quiet achiever.
- by SW on April 30, 2009 at 10:18 AM
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Being the best shot stopper doesn't mean you're the best goalkeeper. There's more to a 'keeper's job than just shot stopping. But good on Mark. Desserves all the plaudits he gets