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Keane Impressed By Trialist Keeper
Keane Impressed By Trialist Keeper
Thursday, 24th Dec 2009 08:59

Boss Roy Keane says he was impressed with Austrian keeper Michael Langer during his trial spell at Town last week. As TWTD revealed on Monday, the SC Freiburg player’s trial was cut short after he was called back to Germany by his club.

Keane says he will consider whether to take Town’s interest in the 24-year-old further: “He did really well when he was in last week. He got called back by his club and we’ll be looking at that over the next few weeks.

“Obviously, Brian Murphy’s available in two weeks and we’ve got Arran, so that will ease the concerns with our goalkeepers.

“The boy did reasonably well in the friendly against Luton. He didn’t let himself down.

“We’ll look at that over the next few weeks. We’ll give the boy Murphy a chance to settle in, see what he’s like. We can also look at other goalkeepers in terms of loans, as we did with Asmir Begovic.”

Keane said that he was not aware that Trinidadian international midfielder or striker Kerry Baptiste is set to join the Blues on trial, as reported in the Caribbean earlier in the week.

The Blues boss says the situation regarding compensation due to some of American youngster Devann Yao’s former clubs — Metz, Livorno, Pisa and St Mirren — is still being worked through:“It’s a bit complicated in terms of the agents and the clubs he’s previously played for. He picked up a bad cut in the reserves game which has probably set him back a couple of weeks.

“The boy has gone home for a week or two but we’re hopeful of doing something. You’ve got to be careful because his previous clubs might stake a claim for compensation, so we’re just trying to get that sorted out. But we’re hopeful it will be sorted.”

One deal which Keane now says is dead is the move for free agent Senegalese left-back Ibrahima Faye: “We’ve moved on from that at the moment. The deal was only to the end of season and time is obviously running out.

“I’m very wary at the moment of what players we bring to the club in the sense that we have a lot of players, as much as I’d like to strengthen one or two areas. If we do add to the squad in January, don’t expect too many.”

The Blues boss, who will have Kevin Lisbie at his disposal in the new year when he returns from his loan at Colchester, says he has made no new progress on any new signings.

Keane says a number of his players would benefit from going out on loan, the likes of Colin Healy and Liam Trotter as well as Tommy Smith, who his manager says needs games ahead of the World Cup with New Zealand.

The Blues boss, who did his pro licence alongside New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert, says Smith could move out on loan in order to help his international prospects: “He needs games. It’s hard to get selected if you’re not playing regularly for your club.

“He could go out on loan in the next few weeks. He’s a good player. It’s only last year he had a bad injury, so he’s playing catch-up a little, but it’s nice that someone to dangle a carrot in front of him in terms of if he can play regular league football there’s no reason he can’t go to the World Cup. Hopefully he can grasp that.”

Smith previously spent time out on loan at Stevenage Borough in the 2007/08 season.


Photo: Action Images



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Mark added 11:01 - Dec 24
It's a bit worrying that we have made no progress on any new signings. I was hoping that we may have a decent striker lined up for January, but then I've been hoping that for about three years! Lisbie returning doesn't exactly excite the imagination.

As Keane has little confidence in Richard Wright, I guess he will leave on a free in the summer. Therefore it could make sense to follow up this Austrian keeper, so he and Murphy could compete for the shirt. I would have thought keeping Lee-Barrett as a third choice would be sensible, as his wages must be fairly cheap.
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Dowson added 13:18 - Dec 24
:S anouther young keeper add him to the outher 50 we have got
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corshamblue added 15:36 - Dec 24
Dowson,

What other 50 young keepers - I'd check how many 20yo+ Keepers we do have! I think it's 3 ?

Murphy
Wright
and Arran is only on a short term contract [hope that gets extended as he's also not let anyone down when put to task!]

Goo Luck to Smith too, he's a good young player with potential - the World Cup would be brilliant for him and Town Fans if he can get games.

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Dowson added 15:43 - Dec 24
we loaned out 2 younsters we got barret,wright ,macglougan (however it spelt)
not to forget our intrests still in begovic so add hi into the mix it makes

7 keepers
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Dowson added 15:44 - Dec 24
o and murphy
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Mungo added 16:08 - Dec 24
Dowson - We haven't loaned out any keepers (?) and Wright is probably out for the season (near enough anyway).

I do agree with you though, I'm not sure I see the need for bringing in another one who doesn't appear to be significantly better than what we already have available.

I'd like to see Tommy go out on loan to a good League 1 team if we are not going to play him. It would be beneficial to all parties.
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Greektractor added 02:00 - Dec 25
cristiano
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bob123 added 14:13 - Dec 27
Lets just hope he is better than that Australian keeper Norwich have..... Theokolitis or whatever his name is
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biffo added 10:49 - Dec 30
ABUSE
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