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Loach: Crowe Has Great Future
Friday, 26th Jul 2013 06:00

Town number one Scott Loach says 17-year-old goalkeeper Michael Crowe has a great future ahead of him. Boss Mick McCarthy recently confirmed that the academy second-year scholar will be his third-choice keeper this season.

Loach was delighted with his manager’s decision: “Brilliant. Michael stayed at mine [before the Barnet game], I’m trying to take him under my wing. You'll have to mention he said he beat me at pool, but actually he got destroyed! For a 17-year-old he’s a confident lad!

“He’s a great lad, I really like him. When I went to Watford Ben Foster was there and I think the way he treated me is how I look at the young lads now.

“It’s hard for a young lad to be around [the first team squad]. I’m 25 now so to him I’m old. I’m just trying to pass on everything I can, I’m trying to take him under my wing and make him feel at home and if he gets the opportunity, fair enough.

“I was telling him the other night, you want to be taking my place in a couple of years, you can be better than I am. He’s a great talent and we’ve got to keep it that way.”

Loach says it’s difficult for young keepers making the step up into senior football with opportunities often limited until they reach their mid-twenties: “I was one of the lucky ones. I broke in fairly early because of all the injuries at Watford and I’ve got a lot of managers to thank for keeping me in.

“I said to Michael, there’s nothing stopping you having to play halfway through the season. God forbid it doesn’t happen because I want to play the whole season and I’m sure Gerks does as well, but he might be thrown in the deep end, so he’s got to be ready.

“I don’t know if you’ve seen him, he’s 6ft 4 or 6ft 5, he’s 17, he’s Norwegian - although he plays for Wales, not sure how that works! — but he’s a great lad, I can’t speak highly enough of him and he’s got a great future ahead of him if he knuckles down and works.”

London-born Crowe, whose father is English and mother Norwegian, joined the Blues last summer from Kristiansand side IK Start having been brought up in Norway. He qualifies for Wales through a grandparent and was called into their U19 squad by ex-Blue Geraint Williams towards the end of last season.

Meanwhile, former striker Alan Lee has been spotted joining in with first team training at Playford Road this week.

The 34-year-old was released by Huddersfield at the end of last season and has recently started coaching with the Ipswich academy, however, intriguingly, has never formally announced his retirement.

Another ex-Blue, defender David Wright, who faced Town for Colchester in Tuesday's friendly, is also spending time coaching at Playford Road as he works on his badges.


Photo: Action Images



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Dissboyitfc added 06:47 - Jul 26
Loach sounds a great guy, and keeps the no 1 position, good to have competition.

As for Alan Lee, i hope not :) ...coyb
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Butterbing added 07:17 - Jul 26
Great comments from Loach. Seems like a great guy and an excellent role model.
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Ipswich121 added 07:56 - Jul 26
I've heard that lee is training with us to get fit hoping that he will get a contract with another club soon and if he doesn't then he will take up the academy role. Can you confirm or deny is Phil?
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gypo added 08:02 - Jul 26
He looks welsh to me
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martleshamitfc added 08:19 - Jul 26
Could we get a cheeky appearance from Alan Lee? Can still do a job at championship level and a great target man who gives 100%.
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battyblue added 10:01 - Jul 26
Lets hope he dosent teach him to stay on his line and punch or flap at everything how to save penalties will do nicely
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Michael11 added 10:05 - Jul 26
It's a shame more footballers don't set such a good example as Scott Loach, seems a nice lad and a credit to our club. As for Alan Lee....you must ne joking if you think he's good enough for us.
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Tractorog added 10:14 - Jul 26
Alan Lee is always believing you'll never retire!
To misquote a TWTD T-shirt.

I hope that all our goalies live up to their potential. Loach sounds very nice, but needs to be more nasty in his penalty area and command it like everyone else in it is living on borrowed time... if you know what a mean... in other words... less nice more psycho when going for crosses.
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bizman added 10:25 - Jul 26
Scott Loach is a Legend. Really hope (and am confident) he has a good season and makes the number 1 his own
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sereneblue added 11:22 - Jul 26
Good attitude Scott.
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 11:22 - Jul 26
With his heritage I'd be quite happy if he had the skill set of Paul Cooper, Neville Southall and Thomas Myhre!
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Lightningboy added 11:31 - Jul 26
Great news.

The lack of choice of keeper's especially at international level is quite alarming these days - think every home team club (no matter which country you're in) should have to have a homegrown keeper in their match day squad..no reason why not..the same could be said to cover all positions on the pitch really...it would only benefit all international teams in the long run....well,that's my humble opinion anyway.
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itfchorry added 11:32 - Jul 26
Would keep Alan Lee registered as a player.
Could still do a great job from the bench.
Also could act as emergency cover.

Always believing !
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tractordownsouth added 11:36 - Jul 26
Good comments from Loach. I also hope he will be no.1 this season and that we can push for the top six.
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DazBent added 11:50 - Jul 26
His dads done well to get a Norwegian bird
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BlueVelvet added 12:34 - Jul 26
A bit academic being named as the third keeper, but if it gets him on the sales forecourt then fair enough
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Metcalfe added 13:26 - Jul 26
loach for england!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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