Town boss Mick McCarthy believes keeper Dean Gerken is amongst a number of his players who are proving people wrong at their former clubs. Gerken, who has established himself as the Blues’ first-choice number one this season, is one of several players to have joined Town having been released by their previous sides.

In Gerken's case he has also had to prove himself to sections of the Blues' support this season, however, McCarthy dismisses the suggestion that the 30-year-old was to blame for Town's autumn blip during September and October.

“I don’t understand the comments that I’ve ‘kept faith in him’,” he insisted. “I didn’t really have to show that much faith in him because I thought he was playing well.

“I keep repeating myself, the only goal I would put half down to him was the third goal at Reading and I can’t think of any others, he was playing well.

“But it’s always the same, whether it’s fans or pundits or journalists, you’ve got to find something and there’s always a little piece of wallpaper which you can keep picking at until somebody peels it all off.

“And that’s not a criticism of anybody, that’s just the way it is. And it’s up to the manager to know who is playing well and recognise it and not make changes when they’re unnecessary, and it was unnecessary. It’s lovely when you’re proved right.”

Gerken joined the Blues after a trial following his release by Bristol City in the summer of 2013 and is one of a number of Town players whose former clubs may now regret allowing them to move on.

“We’ve had a few,” McCarthy reflected. “David McGoldrick was [by Nottingham Forest], so was Christophe Berra [by Wolves], Skusey also came in on a free [from Bristol City], so there are a lot of them that are proving a lot of people wrong. But I like that.”

Photo: Action Images

yerfdog87 added 10:14 - Jan 6 I'm not convinced. I don't think Bart is better, they both same and to me I'd rather someone else. Perhaps dragovski, if he's any good like on Fifa 16 then sign him up
-4

BlueKush added 10:30 - Jan 6 He's looked decent in our last few games but when he first came into the side he was conceding every other shot on target and it took him 14 games to make as many catches as Bart did in his 3 games. And he lost us 2 points at the City Ground with rash judgement, going for a punch and farting with fear in the 99th minute.. But he's part of an ITFC side which has equalled a club record of consecutive away wins, doing his bit for that record so fair f*cks to him. Personally, I'm far more confident with Bialkowski in there but let's see how it goes.

10

tractorboybig added 10:47 - Jan 6 Was not a choice of mine, But recently he has been the player of several matches. Lets hope he sticks at it.
2

jw23 added 11:15 - Jan 6 Must admit has proven me very wrong in the past 5 or 6 games.
4

Westy added 11:18 - Jan 6 I have been a harsh critic if Gerken and MM for picking him, but must acknowledge that he is hugely improved in recent games. But this improvement is relatively recent - any previous criticisms were justified at the time and you could see the defenders were nervous with him behind them. But now, I would say he deserves his place but he should definitely do something about that Canary yellow shirt he wears sometimes especially when he wears it with green ankle socks or green trimmed boots ! Enough said.

15

terryf added 11:25 - Jan 6 Maybe controversial but right now I would say Gerks would be pushing Freddie for the supporters player of the season. Sure we all have concerns about certain aspects of his game, commanding his area at crosses for one, but lets give the guy credit when its due. He's saved us alot of goals in quite a number of games this season.
1

dirtyboy added 12:04 - Jan 6 Wasn't a huge fan, but as mentioned, credit where due, he's pulled off some vital saves recently and been much improved. Happy to stick with him.
3

blueherts added 12:13 - Jan 6 Keepers . more than any other player , I think need game time - sitting on the bench with little or no chance of coming on is a real challenge to keep sharp Yes he was jittery and poor in judgement early on but as he has played more the defence look more solid in front of him as they all develop confidence together You can always find fault keepers for any goal but I always think they have a much tougher time than the striker who misses countess chances - or the defenders/midfielders who stand off players outside the box etc - allowing shots

3

jert16 added 12:31 - Jan 6 DEEAANOOOO!!!
0

afrodids added 12:33 - Jan 6 He's not proved me wrong good shot stopper, poor kicker panics when the ball is laid back to him. He doesn't command his area enough,doesn't come for crosses and distributes the ball poorly nothing had changed for me I'm afraid to say. For me Bart is the better keeper but is prone to silly mistakes neither are premier league class.
13

Len_Brennan added 14:00 - Jan 6 While I agree that Gerks has played very well in recent games and has made some really decent saves, I think @afrodids has gotten it 100% right with the comment above. I like him (Gerks, although afrodids seems a good sort too) and would be more than happy to have him as our number 2 keeper; but for a side looking to win promotion to the Premiership he just comes up that bit short in my opinion, for the reasons outlined by afrodids. Having that view does not make me a moaner or suggest that I am not a true supporter, in fact I would argue the opposite. I am delighted that Gerks has played well and the defence has tightened up overall in our recent good run, but I want us to be the best we can be and I feel that we continue to have unfortunate weaknesses in the goalkeeping and full back areas. A fit creative midfielder would be nice too.

8

afrodids added 14:21 - Jan 6 I totally agree Len it's nice to know someone else see's what I see when I watch games, I believe if ME & MM are serious about our promotion challenge then certain areas need to be addressed and that's one off them. When you watch the PL the goalkeeper almost acts as a sweeper which neither of our keepers do. For me I think the club needs to put it's hand in it's pocket whether it be a big fee or big wages and push us on from where we are now if ME had done so this time last year we might not be having this conversation and be in the PL already!

7

cornishblu added 16:02 - Jan 6 The amount of times Mick raises this is beginning to make me think who he is trying to convince...himself or the supporters ....fact 1 Gerken is a shot stopper , can't come for crosses and rally talks to his defence so not a leader that drives confidence ...fact 2 if we have premiership aspirations Gerken is not the answer fact 3 95% of supporters think the same ........why do we therefore keep being needed to be told he is proving us wrong ....on those two facts alone nothing has ever changed ...COYB

3

cornishblu added 16:04 - Jan 6 Meant to read...on the top two facts...now I look like a chump!!(hhhmmmm maybe I'll get picked for goalkeeper then!!)
0

Doug_Clure added 16:17 - Jan 6 He is an average keeper who is benefitting from a run in the team. If the club has any aspirations it needs a quality keeper. A decent goalkeeper will mean the difference between a win/ draw or draw/defeat a number of times in a season. The problem is there aren't many decent keepers available at the right price. He may be in the the latter half of his career but Paul Robinson is available.......

3

Seasider added 16:44 - Jan 6 Czech has certainly made a difference at Arsenal like Butland;but we cant afford these kind of guys;think however would be a good idea to splash a bit of cash in window for a creative midfielder like Jonny Williams.I say this as I am pretty certain that Teddy Bishop will not be able to make a substantial contribution this season,and Ryan Fraser will be returning to his parent club.

2

carsey added 16:47 - Jan 6 As many have said before I am not really convinced by either of our keepers but Gerkin is doing okay at present. It shouldn't be forgotten he was only recalled when Bart went back to Poland for his fathers funeral so we will never know for sure whether McCarthy would have made a change or not. As a shot stopper I think Gerkin is as good as any others I've seen this season. As for the other aspects of his play he worries me continually particularly when the ball is passed back to him.His distribution is appalling but I put this down to his playing the McCarthy method of get it up the pitch. At goal kicks and free kicks he isn't helped by the whole team turning their backs and jogging off up the pitch. No-one looks for something different, no midfielder asks for the ball short and the full backs rarely if ever go wide to drag the opposition out of position. Having said all that I have resolved to be happy with 3 points for now.

7

DurhamTownFan added 17:35 - Jan 6 Put your house on Bart playing Saturday after this. Often mick talks someone up before dropping them. Overall, happy to see G's improvement but I'd love to see a better long-term option. I just think that the club is run on a budget which simply doesn't allow for a top quality option in goal. MM would rather put his money on central defenders and strikers. Fair enough!

2

ChestnutSe added 17:57 - Jan 6 Durham is right. Highly likely that Mick will take the opportunity to rest lots of first team regulars Sat so Bart will probably get a run out. Might see the new lad or The Polish chap at centre half as well. Run out at right back for Emmanuel perhaps? Barnet and Pits up front? Oar in midfield? As for the goal keeping situation I think we are meant to have a couple of young hopefuls in the Academy. I wond how far away one of them might be?

1

ChestnutSe added 17:59 - Jan 6 Varney, not Barnet. Spellcheck problem. Perhaps I should stick to Reg!
1

prebbs007 added 18:54 - Jan 6 Has he played better recently YES !! That was not difficult as he has been downright poor all season until the defence has improved as it has done since December is he good enough NO WAY. Is he only responsible for one goal YOU MUST BE JOKING !!! His inability to come off his line allows opposition strikers to score with free headers inside the 6 yard box regular !! Yes the defence should win or at least challenge for headers but he too often fails to come and take easy crosses and by staying on his line reduces his chances of narrowing the angles. His kicking is abysmal and his distribution shocking. Mick you say u don't make unnecessary changes, then why did Bart get left out in the first place. You made him no1 at start of season, not his fault his father died !!! No doubt Gerken has improved but he is a huge weak link in the team along with both full backs. Our goals against column doesn't lie. If we were as good defensively as we were last season we would be in the top 2. I hope He continues to improve but Bart is better and Gerken is not a top 6 championship keeper !!!

3

toxtethblue added 19:11 - Jan 6 Gerks has been alright of late but hes only one cross away from a flap. Bart is still the better keeper for me. DG is a very good shot stopper but theres so much more to goalkeeping than that and sadly DG is lacking in some of the key areas. Only responsible for one goal this season!? Love is blind!
2

Stato added 19:14 - Jan 6 Too early to be crowing about this Mick and why no words of encouragement for Bart ? Gerks has been vastly improved recently but don't think he'll be the subject of bids from promotion chasing clubs and as for player of the season I can think of at least eleven players I will vote for before him. I only hope that with a 2nd string in front of him Bart doesn't end up getting exposed too much on Saturday.

1

Sporall added 20:46 - Jan 6 He's been outstanding of late and should take all the credit while he can .
2

Cakeman added 22:34 - Jan 6 prebbs007 I agree his inability to come off his line has resulted in goals conceded with QPR's goal in our last home game being a prime example. I have never understood why keepers don't come off their line more. firstly it puts strikers off even if the keeper misses the ball and secondly the chances of getting a free kick are good with the slightest contact by an attacker usually always being penalised.

3

Blogs 296 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls