Mick you do talk some rubbish sometimes,and seem blinkered Tabb at right back.We need a good keeper like Steve Henderson.

I think the fact that Mick has this decision to make speaks volumes.

Unfortunately for me, the decision to make, is which one is the better number two. Not number one.

A good goalkeeper can be the difference between a top 2 place and the play offs. Probably the most important player on the pitch for me and to be honest neither have ever inspired me. This would be a priority signing this summer for me, be it loan or otherwise we need a better keeper.

Bring Peter Schmeikel over for just one training session and teach them both how to knock your own defenders and their strikers over in order to get to the ball.

Whichever one floors Berra and Smith as he comes out for a corner in training gets the number 1 shirt ! (PLEASE Don't down mark me if you want Chambers in the middle - I've merely quoted these two cos that is who I think MICK will play there once Berra's suspension is over)

Almost every fan has asked for a keeper who commands his box.. Yes - to see it as HIS - all of it, every inch!!! Almost every fan of almost every team !!!

Why don't we see it in an Ipswich Shirt ?

Agree with a lot of the posts. Both Keepers are Div 1 standard. If you want to push for promotion we must have a keeper who is never less than consistent and who saves us 4/5 points a season with a few "wow" saves. In a keeper we must trust.

Victor Valdes released by Man U. Just a thought lol.

I have been reading all the comments re-Goalkeepers lets get real we have two adequate keepers, good cover at centre backs, great attacking options from midfield with the two new lads plus what we had last season " should MM decide to play wingers" ! our forwards would fit into any team in the championship and do well they are best we have had for a long time, we need to get full backs, left and right and a playmaker from midfield, we are going to have to spend for the creative midfielder2/3 mill ?.So Mr Evans lets give MM the money to finish building what is shaping up to be a team that can mount a serious challenge this season and get us back in the top flight where we belong.

Adequate keepers isnt going to get us a top 2 finish. We need a top 6 keeper, not a mediocre mid table one. You only need to see how De Gea won games for Man U last season to see how essential a top keeper is. For me, its not the number one priority over and above more outfield players although I agree we need a rb, lb and ideally another cb.

Sorry, it IS the number one priority.

"I think I've got two number ones"

No Mick, you literally and metaphorically have two number twos.

Now sign a decent keeper once and for all so the defence can sleep a bit easier at night.

Bart over Gerkin any day. Much better command of his box, positioning and less flappy which are all crucial. Think Bart MAY be good enough but would prefer to see him at number 2 and a better keeper come in... MM will start with Gerks though as he loves him nearly as much as tabb

Bart by a mile. Gerken makes too many mistakes as highlighted at Posh albeit he kept a clean sheet. Would prefer investment in this area if we really want to push on. Bart solid enough and more commending than Gerken imo

i personally think we would splash out on a bright yellow wheelie-bin and place it strategically in the goal....

Daniel Bentley...

Please Mick I Love you,but neither Goal keeper is a confident enough to make me,and fans around me feel comfortable about them,they are alright, yes but not promotion contenders ,and I think the Goalkeeping coach never changes the Training workouts,couldn't Paddy Kenny,advise or help out with future training?if no one else about

Thank heavens other fans agree on these posts,I thought it was just me.Surely some other keeper must be available, what about a Scottish Welsh,or Irish,or we have to a European.

Why is it now a 'big decision'? - wasn't so big last season. I first looked at the headline and thought which one Mick would let go as we were getting a new keeper in, unfortunately that is not the case. Bart just over Gerkin but this is one area we need to improve on or Mick to get more out of!

I have been wetting my self laughing at most of these great posts. It's nice to know Town fans do have a sense of humour.
Anyone else think Bart should have saved the free kick at Cambridge which was on his side of the goal & he had full visibility of? I would have been pi$$ed if it had cost us in the league.

Again a couple of freebies, both average Champ/League1 keepers at best.

Sorry Mick, but get your glasses on fella & get shot of Webster if he thinks they are top draw!

Sorry, neither of them are good enough if we are serious about promotion

I actually quite like Bart & would be happy for him to start as no 1. With keepers people will always remember the mistakes made that cost us as oppose to excelent stops that saved us & on the balance of it i thought he done alright.

Personally I'll try tempting Super Cooper out of retirement !

Spot on Warkys Tash. I said many times last season "Why the hell didn't Bart save that,??" (seemingly innocuous shot at goal)
For me he seems to lose concentration and simply doesn't react to the shot soon enough. As my mate said to me at Posh sat, where has the Bart gone that we all saw on those You tube videos?

Gerkin simply doesn't command / marshall his area well enough. Posh on sat was a classic example when he was nearly caught cold kicking the ball along in the area totally oblivious to a Posh player closing him down.

For me neither keeper is top drawer. And to be realistic about promotion that's exactly what we need a top GK. Good teams are built on solid defences. Which begin between the sticks!

it's so blooming obvious we are crying out for a new more commanding Keeper for the coming season... Bart and Gerken need a rocket up their bums, and aren't getting it

Mick isn't stupid, he's trying to keep morale levels high with what he has got. Mick is NOT being supported by the owner financially whatever he says. Mick is a brilliant PR man that's for sure.

Agree with what has been said about McCarthys comments being a vehicle to promote what we have, drive competition and ensure a happy, balanced squad - there would literally be no point in him coming out and saying that he rates neither keeper and wants something better.

However, I do also agree with other posters that express a level of concern at our perceived reluctance to invest in new squad additions for key positions.

For the sake of providing a balanced and fair perspective on the situation, you must remember we do not have a luxury of riches, we have financial fair play to contend with and signing players with that additional quality in this league is not easy to do. Financially many players are beyond our reach and it is harder to attract players to this league, whether established or promising young talents.

We have seen in many examples that throwing money at the problem is not the solution.

However, we did brilliantly last year and have alot of momentum. We have made good money from the sale of playing staff and are in a position where we need to kick on to the next level.

Perhaps it is better for us to air on the side of caution and look to continue establishing our selves as a consistent top six team in this league. However, we were so close to promotion last year and it is not possible to keep hold of players unless the club really pushes on to the next level and gains promotion.

The problem is it has been communicated that money is available to spend. I also remember reading interviews with players like Daryl Murphy saying that they are looking forward to further investment of quality in the squad. A player like Murphy is undoubtedly committed to the cause but I would start to worry that our better players might start to question the clubs ambition if we remain unambitious in the transfer market - and who really could blame them.

Of course, its not that easy. People say we need a GK, RB and creative attacking midfielder. However, can anyone really offer names of reliable, affordable players that fit the mold?

I do believe now would be a wise time to invest a (relatively) substantial amount in some players of real additional quality. If you buy smart and buy right then arguably you only have to do it once but it will always leave the question - is it viable?

We do need to kick onto the next level but not for the sake of the overall health of the club. If there are funds available and targets worth the outlay then I would be worried if the club decided not to roll the dice.

If there are not funds available I would be concerned if the club communicated to the contrary.

It has been a long time since we have had our club in such a good position. With academy players in and pushing through to the first team. We have the best performing striker from last season along with a very enviable attack and strong defense.

This is not to be scoffed at.