Dean Gerken has revealed he was given just two days to get used to the idea of being Town’s new first-choice goalkeeper.
Gerken was promoted to make his league debut in the 1-1 draw at Birmingham, being given the nod for the trip to St Andrew’s after rival Scott Loach pleaded guilty to an error that gifted Leeds victory at Portman Road the previous week.
He revealed: "It was on the Thursday that the gaffer went through the team and what sort of shape he wanted us to be playing. I go into every week hoping to be playing so it was more excitement, rather than a surprise, that I was going to be doing what I’m paid to do.
"It’s always frustrating when you’re not playing but you’ve got to be there for your team-mates and for Scott, the same as he’s there for me. It’s a team game so it’s swings and roundabouts really and you can’t go sulking if you’re not in the team.
"With the goalkeeping coach we have at the club, Malcolm Webster, he doesn’t let you off with anything. He works you hard and puts on brilliant sessions for all the goalkeepers, including those who are not in the team so that when they get their chance they are going to be fully prepared for it.”
Gerken looked to be in with a great chance of marking the occasion with a clean sheet until he was beaten by a deflected shot from Chris Burke to earn Birmingham a point they scarcely deserved
He added: "To be fair the team played really well and it meant I had quite an easy debut. I thought we played really well as a team and were unlucky not to be three or four up before they got their equalising goal.
"It was a good all-round team performance, which made my debut quite comfortable. I know how Scott must be feeling but football is swings and roundabouts. There’s no point in sulking because the only person you end up ruining it for is yourself.
"It’s always about training as hard as you can. He might get his chance next week or the week after — you just don’t know when it’s going to come in football — so he’s got to be fully prepared.
"It’s never been awkward between us from day one. It doesn’t happen in football because the keepers know there’s only one position for them in the team. You need your other keeper there because there’s no one else on the football pitch who knows what you’re going through.”