Boss Mick McCarthy has paid tribute to keeper Dean Gerken, who he says has been “outstanding” during his first season at Portman Road.

The Blues manager brought Gerken, a free summer signing following his release by Bristol City, into the team in place of Scott Loach at Birmingham late in August and the 28-year-old was his first-choice for the remainder of the season.

Rochford-born Gerken made 42 appearances in total, while Loach’s only further involvement in the league was as sub in the 1-0 home defeat to Burnley and a man of the match display in the 0-0 draw with Blackpool at Portman Road when Gerken was out injured.

The former Watford man, keen to play regular football, has been made available for transfer this summer.

“I’ve hung my hat on him a few times, certainly when I left Loachy out,” McCarthy said. “I love Loachy but I put Gerks in the net and then Loachy came back and he had a good game and against Blackpool at home.

“There’s always that question from the media, ‘Loachy had a good game…’. I don’t know what the agenda is at times, whether they’re trying to second guess me. I’m not having a go

"Or whether it’s that they like that little bit of controversy about who I’m going to put in, ‘What can he do? Is he going to leave him out? He’s a local lad, he loves the club and all that’.

“And having hung my hat on Gerks, he’s been outstanding. I don’t know if he was involved in any of the player of the season awards but he’s had an outstanding season.

“I remember the save at Blackpool just before half-time and if that had gone in we would have been slapped and we ended up winning the game. He did that on a number of occasions and he did it on Saturday. It’s a great season he’s had.”

Photo: Action Images

rambohambo added 06:11 - May 9 Totally agree, everytime ive seen him play he makes the saves look easy , soon as the other team get a shot on goal , he has a right go at the defence . Would be very happy with him in goal next season
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Dissboyitfc added 06:59 - May 9 The great thing about football its all about opinions. as with loach, gerks is a great shot stopper, but other areas of his game arent great. He is an ok keeper, would love us to get someone in better, someone as good as Kelvin Davis was when he was here. But like i say its all about opinions , and its thanks to TWTD's, we can share our opinions .COYB
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Menton added 07:15 - May 9 I think 'outstanding' is pushing it. 'Competent enough' would be more accurate. But I guess he couldn't say that.
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Tufty added 07:17 - May 9 Just wish he would come for crosses more often. it releives pressure and would reduce the opposition chances especially from headers and the far post danger
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yerfdog87 added 07:25 - May 9 Is he forgetting the millwall game?? Don't rate him at all, he's saves are ones I'd expect a keeper to make. Would rather have luke steele or go for darlow. Gerks struggles to even kick the ball, let alone with any accuracy. I'm scared that mm rates him n will stick wit him, same wit tabb, nouble etc, get rid of the crap
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Luggworm added 07:55 - May 9 Sorry MM but "Gerks" hasn't been outstanding, he's been OK. He's had some good games, some average games and some poor games. I'm worried now that we won't be getting the No.1 keeper we desperately need for next season.
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MitchtheITFCman added 08:23 - May 9 I have to disagree with everybody who is saying that he is not very good or ok. Yes he doesn't come off his line as much as he should and yea he struggles to kick a ball but on many occasions this season he has kept us in games. When loach goes we will need or knew number 2 or get somebody good and make 'Gerks' work for his position.
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Tufty added 08:29 - May 9 Look at the goalkeepers who played for the teams above us this season schmical, heaton, grant, green, al absi,kusak the teams that went up last season speroni, myhill, marshall are there any of those who woundnt get in our team? goalkeeper crucial to get out of the championship and we only have an fairly good championship keeper not a potential premier league keeper.
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WirralBlue added 08:42 - May 9 I wonder if MM is saying this so another club will come in and buy him! There is not much to choose between Gerken and Loach, but I think they are average Championship keepers at best. Kelvin Davis has been our best keeper during our time in the Championship by a mile!
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Stato added 09:03 - May 9 Marginally better than Loach and has had some good games but has dropped more than his fair share of clangers. He is the only weak link in a defence which looked so much stronger with Henderson.
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ArnieMsBigToe added 09:05 - May 9 To be fair, this is a very awkward situation. This must be one of the worst positions to fill - reserve keeper. You can't put both of them on the pitch at the same time . . . or can you? I imagine that there is a rule against it. I wonder if it's ever been thought of.
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Keaneish added 09:13 - May 9 Agree with you DissboyITFC - i think his shot stopping is excellent but other areas of his game are lacking. Made a few howlers this season and fortunately got away with a few more. A long time since we've had a keeper the quality of Davis or Alexander. If we had a keep of their ability behind that defence all we'd need os more endeavour from a few midfield signings in the summer and we'll be top 6...in my opinion!

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muzzyitfc added 09:24 - May 9 Would we like Mateo Serini back? Spectacular, but no thanks.
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TR11BLU added 09:35 - May 9 If all those MM has labelled 'outstanding' this season had been, we would have walked the league... He is run of the mill Championship standard. brilliant one week but prone to the odd clanger.
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PYBlue added 09:46 - May 9 Agree with TR11BLU. Average goalkeeper not matter what Mick comes out with
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whosroundisitanyway added 10:09 - May 9 WirralBlue I would argue that Begovic has been our best championship keeper in his short time here. Certainly not a mile behind Kelvin Davis as good as he was. I think Gerken is a very good championship keeper. The world's best have their off days, just ask Joe Hart.
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Jimmy86 added 10:11 - May 9 Gotta say I dont really agree with mick on this, outstanding is a bit much in my opinion, yea he has played well, but he has also made more mistakes than loach and also some pretty basic mistakes at that!!! He isn't streets ahead of loach and loach as been treated poorly, especially the blackpool game at home, he deserved to keep his place. New number 1 for next season needed in my opinion

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Surco72 added 10:11 - May 9 I wonder what words MM would use to describe really good players as "outstanding Gerken " , "magic Nouble" , "terrific Tabby " have been used on very average championship players . Not good enough for me if we are to be challenging at the top as Tufty highlighted with all the teams above us and recently promoted sides have great keepers which make the difference
1

Simonds92 added 10:14 - May 9 The bloke makes some good reaction saves, the kinda ones that look good on paper but for me he's demonstrated time and time again that he isn't up to the number 1 slot because he has no command of his area. Matteo sereni was a good shot stopper it doesn't make a good keeper and we've conceded a lot of goals this season from situations where if we had a commanding goalkeeper he would have come and caught the ball and there would be no danger at all to our goal. Very competent as a back up but if we have serious ambitions about going up as the other posters have said we need a better no1.

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jas0999 added 10:16 - May 9 I wouldn't have said outstanding. Okay is probably a better assessment. He has made mistakes - then again so does Loach. IMO we have two average/poor keepers at the club and feel we need to sign a better one in the Summer.
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LWNR2013 added 10:28 - May 9 Neil Alexander was best by a mile and we had a catchy little song for him as well. Fastest exit by a player at ITFC ever?
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rugbytomc added 11:03 - May 9 I agree with what people are saying about Gerken - he doesn't come off his line enough but is solid in other areas, as is Loach. But yet again I am full of praise for Mick - I very much doubt he seeks people out (the press) to offer his opinion on players, but when asked, publicly, he backs his players (or the ones who have shown him they will work hard for him) and that builds their confidence. We don't have the greatest team but all the guys playing, thanks to MM are now full of confidence so what we will see if those players playing to the best of their abilities under MM. He knows he needs more quality and more players but he won't bleat about it in the press as that undermines his current players and annoys the owner. Shrewd manager, if we stick with him and can find the money to back him, he will get us promoted. Don't always believe everything you hear him say in public - PR is all a game (public relations not Portman Road!)

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Scribble added 11:03 - May 9 Give it a rest Mick
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Michael11 added 11:32 - May 9 I'm sorry, but I totally disagree with that. I think Gerken alone has cost us so many points this season with his stupid errors. If we had a better keeper then we more than likely would have made the play-offs. He's a decent shot stopper and as a number two, he'd be good back up, but I certainly think we need a new number 1 goalkeeper for next season.
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SouperJim added 11:51 - May 9 Some really dull comments here, Mick is asked about Gerks, what do you expect him to say? "He's done okay, pretty average for this level, I'll look for a new number 1 in the summer."? What fantastic man management that would be, at least then you lot would have reason to have a pop. It's not like the manager seeks out journalists to say this stuff to.
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