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Who's Next Between the Sticks (Or Be Careful What You Wish For)?
Written by MedwayTractor on Tuesday, 26th May 2015 11:46

Having read so many recent comments about our perceived goalkeeping problem, I have put my own thoughts together on this subject.

Some years back my wife (who admits to being totally turned off by football, but it wasn’t always so) gave me two football autobiographies, one of which was that of Ol’ Big Ed, aka Brian Clough. It wasn’t the best piece of literature I’ve ever come across, the style was loosely what could be termed 'stream of consciousness'.

It read as if BC had sat down with a tape recorder and a bottle, then just spouted away. The less kind amongst us would perhaps say that stream of unconsciousness might be nearer the mark.

The books (the other one was Jack Charlton’s) have long since gone back to the charity shop, but one thing I do remember from Clough’s book was his recipe for the makings a successful team. This was based on filling three core positions out of 11, then building a team on that skeleton.

The three positions concerned are goalkeeper, central defence and goalscorer, ie the core of the defence to keep the opposition from scoring, plus someone who could be relied on to do the business at the other end.

If you can, cast your minds back to the late 70s, when his Forest teams which won the league and European Cup had a defence built round Peter Shilton in goal and Larry Lloyd at number five. The star strikers were Peter Withe (who scored all four of Forest’s goals against us in October 1977), Tony Woodcock, Gary Birtles, then Trevor Francis.

I can’t remember exactly when these autobiographies came my way, but it must have been during the either the Joe Royle or Jim Magilton years. It was definitely before Roy Keane and the reason I’m so certain is that I remember thinking about this core team structure when Keane was announced as our new manager.

I had my doubts about the appointment - a work acquaintance asked me what I thought about it, to which my instant reply was “What, Mr Nasty as our manager?”. On reflection, like most of us I suppose, I had some positive thoughts, not only because he had succeeded briefly at Sunderland, but also because he had been a player under two of our most successful club managers, Clough and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Of all his failings as our manager, Roy Keane disappointed me most by not putting into practice Brian Clough’s core belief. This has led me to look at what I consider to one of the fundamental reasons for our stagnation in division two (or whatever it’s been called over the last few years).

With thanks again to Pride of Anglia, I’ve been having a look at our goalkeepers, as my belief is that the constant chopping and changing of our number one is at the heart of the problem. We have the unenviable record of being the longest-serving (if that’s the right word) club in the second tier, since the 2002/03 season.

Some regular readers may remember my blog a couple of years ago about consistence in selection and will know, therefore, that I’ve been following Town since Alf Ramsey’s days.

In those days, Roy Bailey was the man in possession of the gloves, playing 346 games between 1955 and 1964 and, in the next 38 years, up to the end of the 2001/02 season, we had just six other main goalkeepers: Ken Hancock, David Best, Laurie Sivell, Paul Cooper, Craig Forrest and Richard Wright.

These seven men played 2,078 games in that period, an average of just about 300 each, the equivalent of six to seven seasons per keeper.

Another 17 keepers played no more than 225 games, ie not much more than 10 per cent of the total games. Of these 17, three only played the equivalent of more than a season, the other 14 being reserves, stop-gaps or loans (who played a mere 80 games between them).

From 1955 to 2002, therefore, the club had a succession of long-serving main goalkeepers, with reserves and stand-ins playing only 10 per cent of all games. Apart from our first promotion in 1953/54, all our trophies came in those years.

Now let’s look at the last 13 seasons, starting with the last top-flight season, where things changed after the departure of Richard Wright, although I don’t think any of what has followed was necessarily Matteo Sereni’s fault.

In these 13 years, we have used 21 goalkeepers to play 708 games. Unbelievably, only three of these keepers were reserves or stand-ins, playing in just four games. The other 18 of them played, therefore, an average of just over 39 games each, or less than a season each (taking cup games into account as well as league), not much more than one-tenth of the average number of games played by the seven keepers in the earlier period.

Only five (including Dean Gerken) of the 21 have played more than the equivalent of a full season and seven keepers (ie about one third) have been on loan.

With this continual changing of the guard, is it any wonder that we have struggled for so many years to get out of this division? How can the defence play well when the backline defenders can’t be sure what the man behind them will do, because they haven’t had time to get used to his ways? How can the midfield be sure that the ball will come their way if the defence is too concerned with the unknown keeper to deal effectively with the opposition?

Starting almost from day one of his managership, it seemed that Mick McCarthy, in typical McCarthy fashion, got the defence fairly well organised and we stopped shipping goals on a regular basis. After all, if the opposition can’t score, they can’t beat us and we’ve had a pretty solid defence for a couple of seasons.

The ever-changing goalie problem persisted, however, until the beginning of last season, when Dean Gerken took over from Scott Loach and became first choice.

Now the goalkeeper debate has been opened up again with Gerken being replaced for most of last season by Bartosz Bialkowski. I agree with the tone of the comments in some recent posts that, because we play in the second tier, we can’t expect to have a faultless keeper. All players make mistakes, goalkeepers included, but it is the goalkeeper errors which are the more likely to turn a win into a draw or a draw into a defeat. In my opinion, the more games the back four play together, the greater the chance that errors will be reduced.

I had hoped that after his initial season and a half of righting the wrongs, of clearing out the deadwood and of consolidation, Mick would stick with one of his two keepers as his first choice, and this seems to be the case. We have used only two keepers per season since Mick arrived, which strikes me as a step in the right direction.

Here we are, however, two and a half years on, and fans are demanding more goalkeeper chopping and changing. My preference is for Mick, who is accused constantly of selecting his favourites, to continue that policy for our number one.

As far as I am concerned, I haven’t seen anything in either Dean Gerken or Bartosz Bialkoswki to give me a steer on which I would prefer, although I am slightly in favour of Bart. Regardless of who starts, however, it’s reassuring to know that the keeper on the bench is capable of doing as good a job as the incumbent, if called on. What I would prefer is consistency in selection, which I think will benefit the whole team.

This is not a cry of goalkeeper despair, but more of a suggestion for reason to prevail on here in my fellow Blues' opinions. Am I concerned for the future? Not bloody likely, especially after getting into the play-offs again, as disappointing as it was to fail again at the semi-final stage.

Overall, Town’s form since last August suggests to me that next season will be even better. I knew we had to come good one day, but not sure I want the play-offs again, top two will do nicely, thank you.

Again, with grateful acknowledgement to the free pages of Pride of Anglia as the source of my statistics: http://www.tmwmtt.com/page.php?page=playerIndex




Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Len_Brennan added 14:57 - May 26
A great read and a lot of sense spoken (typed).
I still bore those who'll listen to me with talk of how Richard Wright's decision to leave for Arsenal was a hugely significant factor in our fall from the top table. The free signing of Marshall made financial sense, but didn't give the back four (or the fans) confidence. His subsequent injury & the need to pay £5m for Sereni sparked a bit of a panic. A great shot stopper, but he never learned how to tip a shot around the post. Like you, I don't lay it all at his door either, but the uncertainty of who was our number one when Marshall got fit didn't help either. Since then we have not really had a clear number one who has made the position his own.
We have had some deent players in on loan, but our own signings have not convinced most supporters. I think that remains the case. I thought Gerken was better than Loach & think Bart is marginally better than Gerks, but in reality they are all 'much of a muchness', with none of them really striking you as being the keeper that can drive us to promotion; and certainly could not be looked upon as a capable Premiership goalkeeper should we get promoted.
I hoped Bart would be better, because as I say, I thought Gerks was decent and I would be well happy with either of them as our backup keeper. I just think we need to let one of them (Gerks) go again this summer & bring in the man who will lead us in the Premiership and keep on making saves for us when we get there.
But who could that be?
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Nthsuffolkblue added 15:19 - May 26
A good little blog. Until I read this I was unaware we had a goalkeeping problem. Whilst he isn't the best keeper in the division (so if an improvement is available at any point I would certainly be happy to see it) I think MM has decided it is Bart ahead of Gerken (but only just). We have Bera (aside from his early season ban) and Murphy and have now added Sears (and hopefully McGoldrick again). I would say we need the right creativity in midfield and better consistency from the younger players (this tends to come from experience). Definitely moving in the right direction with MM at the helm.

Cooper was always considered our weak link when we were at our prime (too short to be a top keeper), Wright always attracted a lot of criticism too. The thrust of your article could really be "let's get behind Bart and make him our number one with Gerken as second choice for many years to come".

The other factors that skew your statistics are the increased availability of loans and free transfers (and Bosman rulings et al), the fact that there is a goalkeeper on the bench for every club now and shorter-term contracts that are generally in football thanks to FFP, increased financial differences between divisions et al. It would be interesting to see how the statistics match up for outfield players too. We don't have many threatening the appearance stats of Wark, Mills or Stockwell now.
1

Infinidi added 17:02 - May 26
Henderson was better than Gerken and what I've seen of Bart, but I think Bart has potential and had a few clean sheets in his run in the team. Norwich's 2nd and 3rd goals seemed to go under him as he tries to save everything with his hands - if he could learn to use his feet better he'd be excellent for this division.

However, all the younger players have had a taste of high-pressure football now and this will surely make them hungry to improve for next year, Bialkowski included.

I just see Gerken as a solid number 2 personally.
3

jas0999 added 17:26 - May 26
Gerken isn't good enough. Bart is slightly better, but equally we need to slightly improve next season. For me, that's starting with the keeper. We should be looking to replace okay players, with good ones.
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Nthsuffolkblue added 19:21 - May 26
jas0999 that really depends on who is available. Which would you prioritise: a creative midfielder or two (wingers?) or the goalkeeper? Especially if we don't re-sign Anderson, we lack the creativity most of all in my opinion.
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RegencyBlue added 20:19 - May 26
Bart is better than Gerken but I do think his form dipped, from when he first became a regular in the team, toward the end of the season.

On balance I would stick with Bart for the coming season as there are other positions we desperately need to fill ahead of goalkeeper, right back for instance!
1

miltonsnephew added 21:45 - May 26
Cody Cropper has just been released by Southampton, ex player would love to see him back here.
Let gerks go...
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northerngeezer added 22:37 - May 26
If we had held onto Kelvin Davis things may have been different. Good consistent keepers are hard to come across in today's game but I would consider taking Petr Cech on loan as he needs a few games.
1

northerngeezer added 22:39 - May 26
Excellent blog.
1

DurhamTownFan added 13:26 - May 27
What a brilliantly written and well-researched blog. I often slate authors for poor writing, so take note fellow bloggers!

I agree with the sentiment of the blog also. There are other positions to fill, and unless Mick gets a call from an agent offering a keeper he can't refuse on a free, then I think we will stick with the current two. Neither is going to single-handedly (see what I did there?) cost us a shot at promotion, just as neither is likely to win it for us.
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WeWereZombies added 13:27 - May 28
Steve Harper has just been released by Newcastle but I suspect his wage demands would be too high and I think we have to hope that Bart develops as a goalkeeper (perhaps in the same manner as Begovic and Tim Howard) so that this time next year we are wondering why we ever suggested he was not the man.

Whilst I take Nthsuffolkblue's point that, statistically, new factors came into play in the last couple of decades it should be noted that clubs with a recognised first choice keeper (Cech in past years at at Chelsea, De Gea this year at Man Utd, even Speroni at Palace and in our league Federici at Reading) have been more successful even in tough games than clubs that chop and change (Arsenal I would argue) the glovesman but that have an outstanding team.

Finally, yes we can blame Sereni for all that followed and not just between the sticks. I suspect he undermined the dressing room and reduced Burley's authority, in short he singlehandedly got us relegated
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Nthsuffolkblue added 22:10 - May 28
WeWereZombies - very harsh on Sereni. Much else happened that I am sure was not down to Sereni. Why did Karic never play? What really happened when Stewart broke his jaw (and even if it was just a training ground accident that must have been a big factor in itself)?

I can see your point and agree consistency is good. Isn't that how MM has built the club to where it is now? I love the fact we no longer have the Russian roulette team selection of Keane where it made no difference if you played well the previous match nor the 11 new signings every transfer window.

That said, it is easier for Chelsea and Man Utd to have that consistency. Speroni and Federici are good examples (especially as neither strikes me as being outstanding keepers but the consistency has appeared to do the team well.
1

WeWereZombies added 10:56 - May 30
Sorry Nthsuffolk blue, I have no inside information that Sereni deserves especial blame but considering the flak directed at Finidi George and Simon Clegg over the following years (both of whom stuck around and appeared to put effort into progressing our club, albeit for tidy salaries) whilst Sereni jumped ship at the earliest opportunity I have deep suspicions.

Let me adjust my position, in tribute to the now lost chance of Connor Sammon fish puns, and say that I should realise that if Keane was a demented shark and I should consider Sereni as no more than a confused stickleback.
0

baz75 added 21:17 - May 31
Not sure why Simon Clegg is mentioned, during his time I think he was either completely out if his depth or just completely clueless of how to run a football club. . Not necessarily his fault , but certainly don't think he progressed our club in any way.

As for the Sereni / Finidi George situation. Did Finidi George stick around and put any effort in to progressing the club? He certainly stuck around, but not sure he played much after we were relegated.

After we were relegated we needed to get rid off some of our high earners, the only difference between Sereni and Finidi is someone was willing to pay Sereni's wages (and a fee, well sort of a fee) and nobody would with Finidi, so he stuck around collecting his "tidy salary".
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wychyblue added 17:50 - Jun 1
I think time has tainted a lot of memories. Sereni was very good on the pitch for most of his time at Portman Road
2

StavangerBlue added 12:17 - Jun 5
The fact is THE DARK LORD destroyed a lot of good things at Ipswich that should have been left well alone. During his tenure THE DARK LORD seemed to pick the team line up like he did with his horsing bets...paper and pin. The keeper issues got progressively worse under THE DARK LORD as his dark ways meant short-term loanee quick fix players rather than team building. This short term planning led to the "couldn't care less" attitude of many who were only at ITFC for the pay cheque that then ultimately led to the departure of Shane Supple.

You have to admit that after this disastrous keeper selection policy over the past years under THE DARK LORD and then also Paul Jewell akin only to an iPod left on shuffle MM, to his credit, has stuck with the current duo and it has on occasions paid dividends hence our sixth place finish. However, this season there have been goals that we have given away that I would argue should have been stopped by our keeper(s).
1

Warkys_Tash added 12:48 - Jun 6
Decent blog, Medway & some fair points. I think we had all temporarily forgotten how good Craig Forrest was until the recent ex-files report. Probably due to Wrighty being even better. Does John Hallworth not clock up enough appearances to be part of that regular group? Kelvin Davies was a massive loss at a crucial time to this club & Neil Alexander staying would have also stabilised the ship.
1

Warkys_Tash added 12:51 - Jun 6
I think Bart will get better, he made some outstanding saves this year & a few good ones with his legs but agree with another posters, needs to work on the shots under his body - in fact on his home debut against Wolves he let in a shocker of a first goal but thankfully to Murph, it didn't cost us the 3 points.

Bigger priority for Mick is RB & midfield? Assuming he actually believes he needs to move Chambers?!
0

MedwayTractor added 15:50 - Jun 6
Firstly, thanks for all the favourable comments. I agree to a certain extent with Durham's comments about poor writing, but then I would rather hear from all fans, not just those who have leaning towards good English, nobody's perfect!

Now to answer a couple of queries:

Nthsuffolkblue - Not sure about skewed stats, the team on the day can have only one keeper (subbing the keeper is a rarity) & my stats are for appearances.

Warky's Tash: Jon Hallworth played 56 times as first choice between Nov 1985 and March 1988, being first choice only in his last season, before Craig Forrest became the number one No 1. Oddly (according to Wikipedia), he was replaced at his next club (Cardiff) by Neil Alexander, who then joined us - a revolving door of a slightly different kind. (Clive Baker was the only other pre-Sereni keeper outside the main 7 to play more than a season's worth, 58 games between 1992 & 1995, being first choice only in his first season.)

In hindsight, I might have ended the blog by going back to Clough's core team structure - based on Bart in goal (I agree with Nthsuffolk about backing him as our No 1), Christophe in the centre of defence & Murph doing the business up front. Maybe it's fair to say that the consistent selection of these three is is the reason for our relative success this last season. All that is needed now is to flesh out that skeleton with players of equal (or better!) talent and performance, but exactly where the rest of the present squad is, or isn't, up to it is another debate entirely!


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battyblue added 15:59 - Jun 6
Being a former Keeper i believe Bart can improve to be the solid dependable keeper we need but
his failings need to be coached out of him and i don't know why they haven't been already to be honest, firstly he has to command his area and what goes on in the goal area with our defenders there have been two many silly mistakes with defenders wanting Bart to come for it and Bart waiting for the passback he must be decisive if he wants the ball even if this means clattering a defender,secondly he must get his body down quicker to block ground shots and thirdly he has the best view of whats happening in front of him on the pitch and must organize his team mates when defending,he may be doing this i don't know but he is not shouting loud enough,,sort these issues and all can put more trust in him,,,i question the coaching as these points have repeated themselves on several occasions this season.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 09:05 - Jun 29
I would be more than happy to see Bialkowski retain his place in goal next season. Sure, he probably wasn't the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season - but he was far from the worst. As a keeper, your most valuable attribute is experience, and with every game he plays, Bialkowski is developing that. He has all the physical credentials to be an excellent goalkeeper for us - he kicks well, he's a good shot-stopper and he can command his area well at times. I can only see him getting better and better for us.
1

ThatMuhrenCross added 09:05 - Jun 29
I would be more than happy to see Bialkowski retain his place in goal next season. Sure, he probably wasn't the best goalkeeper in the Championship last season - but he was far from the worst. As a keeper, your most valuable attribute is experience, and with every game he plays, Bialkowski is developing that. He has all the physical credentials to be an excellent goalkeeper for us - he kicks well, he's a good shot-stopper and he can command his area well at times. I can only see him getting better and better for us.
0

runningout added 22:39 - Jul 29
not as confident myself.... Would like to see Bart learn from good keeper
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