Nick Pope

So the first one I really watched was kind of Richard Wright.

You know, week in, week out, if you like.

And then we had a goalkeeper after called Kelvin Davis.

He was, you know, a really top, top goalkeeper.

brilliant Southampton as well wasn't it Calvin yeah Southampton yeah so they were two that I kind of got to you know really watch live in the ground a lot so they were two you know great people to watch and learn from at that time and then going online more into the Premier League obviously Peter Cech was an unbelievable one when he first came to the league I think set all sorts of records of clean sheets and you know minutes that I conceded and he was he was someone that I really enjoyed to watch and also a little bit for me he's kind of goalkeepers of

you know, similar size and, you know, build, I think it would be harder for me to take some stuff from, you know, goalkeepers that might be six foot and, you know, really, you know, springy and really quick.

Well, you're 6'6".

Yeah.

So that's something that it's easier to, you know, imagine myself and to build things into my game from goalkeepers that, yeah, are similar size.

I think growing up, you...

struggle with kicking generally you know you've got long limbs and your your brain's almost not up to date with how to use them properly so you know your feet are a long way from your head and also like and you know footwork just around the goal as well when you're a little bit you know what's a bambi on ice like um you know because your mechanics are a bit slower and you kind of

your brain might be thinking quicker than your legs to move kind of thing so they're all challenges growing up and you kind of you build into your shape if you like as you kind of as you grow up and through the years you know you get bigger you get bigger and stronger and that strength you can't really have as like as a young lad you can kind of build in and and get that and you know work on your footwork and your coordination and and that all you know comes together really nicely

Yeah, I think the game's come on a lot.

Partly because of goalkeepers and the skill level and partly because of the coaches and the managing style has probably shifted a little bit.

I think goalkeepers kind of, when they first run on the field and a few years ago, nothing else really matters.

They just sort of all go in the net where it's kind of shifted a bit now and you're seeing someone who can change the tempo of the whole game and can start attacks and build attacks.

So it's something that's definitely developed over the last few years for sure.

Yeah, just kind of a dream of mine when I was growing up, I suppose.

Obviously, everyone wants to play for Premier League, everyone wants to play for England, but I was well there, I was well in kids.

I'd always stay up late and watch the goals on a Saturday night after the games, and League Two was the lowest level that you could get on TV and, you know, watch the goals.