Williams says he has lot to offer to UAE soccer

The constantly evolving wheel of goalkeeping techniques is what is foremost on the mind of Peter Williams. "That is by instinct," smiled the affable Welshman as he settled down in his chair to relate his experiences with some of the top clubs in the English Premiership over the past few years.

In his stints as goalkeeping coach at Sunderland FC, Swindon Town, Bradford City and the Wolverhampton Wanderers, Williams has had a chance of dealing with some of the best custodians on the Premiership circuit, if not in Europe. But that's just part of his job of ensuring that the ball remains a constant companion to the goalkeeper, rather than pass him by.

He's got a wide range of recommendations from some of the top goaltenders who have had the opportunity to train under Williams. Thomas Sorensen, reportedly on his way to Manchester United to take the place of Fabian Barthez, Mark Schwarzer, who's at Middlesbrough and Austrian national team's first choice 'keeper Macho Jurgen, who has inked a recent two-year deal with Emirates Airline-sponsored Chelsea FC. "I've worked with these goalkeepers and they have responded by coming forward on the international stage with some stunning performances during crunch ties," Williams reflected.

Down in Dubai on a short holiday, Williams felt that his experiences with such top class goalkeepers has metamorphised his thinking into a scientific technique for the development of the breed which is entrusted with the most trying responsibility on the field. Williams has assimilated data sheets on goalkeeper assessment based of technical, tactical, physical and psychological abilities.

"Goalkeeping is 80 per cent of attitude and 20 per cent of ability put together," Williams smiled.

"All those play on the top circuit are good players. But the best ones are the ones who have the attitude to be the best," he added.

Williams' responsibilities have taken him all round Europe. Former Italian goalkeeper, and now coach Dino Zoff is a good friend. In fact, Zoff invited Williams to come and train at Lazio, a thing that he has been doing whenever he gets the time. "Working with goalkeepers in Italy is completely different. They work on an all-round spectrum for the goalkeepers abroad, unlike in England. And that may well be one of the reasons why there are so many non-England goalkeepers in the Premiership," he opined.

Given his wide range of experience, Williams is open to the idea of moving to the UAE as he feels he's got something to offer to the game he loves most here. "I've had a chance to watch a couple of matches here during my earlier visits and I'm certain I could contribute in a big way here to the development of goalkeepers," Williams concluded.