In every way possible, the lads that you train with are your enemies; however are probably only ever so in a sporting sense of the word. You are all competing for a single position in the team, and there can only ever be one winner.
I was very fortunate during my playing career that away from the training ground, all my competitors were also my mates. I still desperately wanted to beat them though, and I had to be Number One, but we all saw it as healthy competition and socialised to the full as a small goalkeeping group!
As a Coach in the modern game, I have seen petty squabbles amongst my goalkeepers and have become the mediator in the middle of fully grown men acting like teenagers!
It has even happened to me once; a lad that had recently joined us actually rang up the Manager asking if he could train with another goalkeeper coach! It emerged that he did not like my direct approach to what I can only politely describe as his “big time” attitude and wanted instead to work with someone less abrasive!
He left not long after (the manager also told him to grow a pair). It was areal shame as he had bags of ability, but sadly not attitude.
Back onto topic though, and training with someone whom you do not get on with is inherently difficult, especially if you do not have a strong coach. I put the emphasis onto the coach as he is solely in charge of the session.
The squabbles that I have been witness to have resulted in half hearted service, or service that “stitches up” the goalkeeper. One of the worst experiences I had was during a pre-match where Goalkeeper A had just been replaced by Goalkeeper B. Whether Goalkeeper B was involved in the squad or not, he always came and joined in the warm up without fail. His professionalism was unquestioned and, even though it was clear the pair never got on, Goalkeeper B would be fully committed to adopting the correct attitude.
Having been dropped, Goalkeeper A emerged from the tunnel with such a poor attitude coupled with half hearted service that it boiled over and he was politely asked by myself to either “adjust your attitude or please get dressed and go home”. His attitude improved sufficiently to ensure that Goalkeeper B was mentally and physically prepared for his game, whilst Goalkeeper A and I had a good discussion in the equipment room, away from potentially disrupting the changing room.
My advice to him was simply whether you like him or not, you need to learn from him. You need him to provide good service for you to improve from and to do this, he must respect you. It is attitude and actions that earn respect so whether you like him or not, be a professional.
I also remember once saying to one of my Managers “I don’t have to like you to play for you”…………he promptly dropped me into the Reserves!
Personal feelings cannot enter the football pitch, whether it be training or playing. Whilst you have the gloves on, that is the only thing that matters at that time. Accept one another, use your emotions to push yourself on, channel it to become a better player than him if you must, but do not allow this personal situation into your professional mind space.
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