Ooohh, you know what this means...ITFC rate BartMan REALLY highly and expect him to be worth millions and sold accordingly, so we need a decent man to step back in.

<tinfoilhat>

Excellent news, a very very good backup keeper who should keep Bart on his toes is tied down for another 2/3 seasons.

Why?

Why not?

Good news, he is a solid and reliiable cover for Bart as he showed against the Saints.

Just needs to work on his assertiveness and would possibly benefit from vocal training with Brian Blessed.

Lee Barrett springs to mind

Dubblue, it was his poor positioning that resulted in their goal, an adequate back up keeper, but his command of his area is no better than loach's and Bart is now the stand our number 1 keeper without doubt. Takes so much pressure off the back 4 by coming and claiming crosses

Hopefully we have Bart on a long term contract as our number one keeper

57 Appearances! Doesn't seem like he has been here that long. Good back up and further stability with the squad. Nice work!

Good signal of intent by MM keeping him on. Consistency and continuity are important new features in our club under MM.

OK - here it is for what it's worth...

We would have lost to Saints but for Gerk's fine saves, but I agree with Jimmy whatsit above - to a point....

Yes I would love him to be more "Peter Schmiechel" - he would have broken Berra's leg to get to the ball as it bobbled ..... but I think that we need to criticise Berra who was caught out as well if we are to throw stones at Gerks .....

For me - I would like a keeper to be dealing with such balls in every time - OR staying on the line to clear up- this "three steps forward and stop" just doesn't work

(but then I've never been a keeper - nor a coach)


One thought - if you are going to play your strongest regular back four in a game, don't you really need to play your strongest regular back FIVE to avoid communication mis-haps?? The longer Bart plays and not gerks, the harder it will be to brink Gerks in for the odd match


For me - from the stand - Gerks won 2-1 at least v Saints - two great stops, and one debatable flap that cost us.

Bart - keep improving and Gerks will stay your number two for the whole of his contract.

Gerks - sort out the voice and the "It's mine if it's in the area" mentality and you will push him all the way.


COYB

Gerks is a good keeper, But from what I have seen Bart is the better keeper, That's just my opinion. Bart has better command of his area, better kicking and distribution and is a good shot stopper. Gerks has never disgraced himself in a town shirt and kept us in many games last season, but the defence are more confident playing in front of Bart, than they are in front of Gerks

Never been my cup of tea. Far too error prone and cost us many points last season. Feel 100% more confident with Bialkowski in goal. However, he does have a good attitude and tries his best. he'd be ok as 2nd choice back up.

Did they toss the pen in the air for him to catch and sign?

Gerks is a quality keeper, for the 1st half of our proud 21 games with 1 defeat run, he was our keeper. If there's a problem with Bart through injury or loss of form, we aren't going to get a better keeper in as replacement. Gerks is number 2 at the moment but I wouldn't be surprised to see him grab his place back at some point this season.

Good news. Not much between Bart and Gerks and both more than reliable and with the key ingredient of excellent attitude.

Bart is everything Gerks isn't Bart is confident his positioning is spot on he controls his area he comes for crosses and mostly catches them rather than punching you can hear him calling when he wants the ball and organizing the defense in front of him he gives them confidence and his shot stopping is good yes he will make odd mistakes all keepers do but yes Gerks is a decent back up keeper although he is unpredictable rarely comes for crosses and does not control his area,the saves he made v saints were good saves but what any half decent keeper makes regularly and are expected to make.

A Free transfer and long term planning a big change from the loanee goalkeepers we used to rely on.

Decent Keeper, nice guy. It is good to see MM identifying people he wants to keep and getting them signed on quickly.

Michael11. typical kind of post from you,negative. yes, he did cost us a few points last season but he saved us a lot more than he lost us, but why point out the positive when you can find a reason, with how things are going at the moment, to find something negative to post. I do however agree with everyone who states that bart is far the better keeper of the 2 and I would play him over gerks every time. however, gerks is a totally competent keeper to have in reserve, tho I would like to see him command his area better for sure. but that's the type of keeper he is and I guess he cant change that,

pleased to see this personally,Gerks has his moments but he is not as bad as some people make out.He will be a good back up.Micks not stupid,he is doing a bloody good job . Trust his judgement . COYB

pleased to see this personally,Gerks has his moments but he is not as bad as some people make out.He will be a good back up.Micks not stupid,he is doing a bloody good job . Trust his judgement . COYB

@blues1

Hardly a negative post was it? I'm absolutely thrilled with how we're doing this year. I simply stated that I'm much happier with Bialkowski in goal. Don't get your knickers in a twist.

While I have my doubt's about Gerks re his reluctance at times to come and claim a ball that is his, he is a good back up, his signing shows again what great togetherness we have in the squad(no prima donnas) and that all the players are totally committed to getting us promoted onwards and upwards you blues.