Patrick Beach's costly error dealing with Neyder Moreno’s free-kick in the 95th minute resulted in Auckland FC maintaining their unbeaten run in a frantic 2-2 draw with Melbourne City in Round 8 A-League Men's action. City fans were quick to call out the 21-year-old, but they must remember the adage: short-term pain for long-term gain.
Patrick Beach has started every league game for Melbourne City so far this season. (Image: Melbourne City)
Before Sunday evening's Round 8 clash, Patrick Beach's underlying statistics showed promising signs for his long-term development. He ranked second in the league with a save percentage of 78.9%, just behind Alex Paulsen. Many consider Auckland FC's Paulsen the most talented goalkeeper in the competition, as evidenced by a stellar 2023/24 campaign that led to a transfer to AFC Bournemouth. Beach is also adept with the ball at his feet, helping Melbourne City effectively play out from the back in their signature style.
However, Beach hasn't had a perfect start to life as a regular at the A-Leagues level. Auckland's equaliser on Sunday, which ultimately cost Melbourne City three points, was not Beach's first error leading to a goal this season. Poor decision-making has sometimes resulted in some nail-biting moments when the 21-year-old has had the ball at his feet. His eagerness to come out of his box and act as a sweeper has also led to a handful of shaky situations.
Melbourne City anticipated some initial challenges when they decided to promote Beach as their number one goalkeeper, opting for him over the 39-year-old veteran Jamie Young. They believe investing in a young goalkeeper is essential for the team's long-term future.
When asked about Beach’s performance against Auckland and whether a change in goalkeeper would be considered for the upcoming Melbourne Derby, City head coach Aurelio Vidmar stated that he has not yet made a decision but emphasised the club's commitment to developing their young goalkeeper.
“Growing is part of the game,” Vidmar said following the draw with Auckland.
“The more you're in there, the more games you play, the better you're going to become. That's not just him; that's with all the young players. We always want the finished product, don't we? But it's not the reality of sport.”
Goalkeepers usually take longer to reach their full potential. Therefore, Melbourne City must manage their expectations for Beach this season. He must play every game he is available for, even if mistakes he makes result in dropped points. The A-League Men serves as a developmental league, and the sooner every coach, football director, and club executive recognises this, the better the league's chances for financial viability will be.
Vidmar was hired to win football matches, so he may be pressured to change his goalkeeper to improve results. But he must be bold and remain committed to developing Beach and Melbourne City’s young talent.
On Sunday, Beach faced off against Paulsen, a goalkeeper whose developmental path should be a model for all clubs. When Giancarlo Italiano became the Wellington Phoenix's head coach at the start of last season, he boldly decided to trust the highly regarded young goalkeeper with a starting position. It took a lot of courage for Italiano and the club to place such confidence in Paulsen, but the decision ultimately paid off. He was a significant factor in Wellington's success, helping the team reach the Semi-Finals and arguably being the best goalkeeper in the league last season.
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Clubs may not always see immediate results when bringing in young prospects, but they often benefit in the long run. However, there still seems to be some cynicism from coaches regarding young players in the competition.
Recently, Newcastle Jets boss Rob Stanton questioned his players' willingness to fight for the club, describing it as a “generational problem.” While it is true that some young players may not be giving their best effort, the coach must bear part of the responsibility for motivating them to perform. If the approach the coach is taking isn't resonating with the squad, it is their responsibility to make the necessary changes.
There are many fantastic young players like Patrick Beach across the A-League Men. Coaches must let them shine, make their mistakes, and believe they will produce consistent results in the long term.
The cattle is there; you just need to look for it and, most importantly, give it a chance.
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