Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Dean Gerken will keep his place in goal at Leeds United on Tuesday, while striker Freddie Sears is a doubt with a tight hamstring.

Quizzed on whether he would switch Gerken for Bartosz Bialkowski following Friday’s 5-1 defeat at Reading, McCarthy confirmed: “Gerks will be playing. I think when you’ve conceded eight goals in two games, and I’ve said this to them, all positions are under threat.

“But I don’t believe in knee-jerk reactions because if you do that and somebody comes in and they don’t play well, you’ve not got a lot of room to manoeuvre then, have you? You’ve got to go back to Plan A.

“So, if Plan A’s all right and it’s worked for a long period of time, then keep with it. I’m not one that changes people for the sake it because each and every one of them was hurting just as much as I was, were just as embarrassed as I was about the other night.

“And it’s even worse for them, they were on the field. I’ve been there, I’ve been a player, but none of them let me down or let the club down intentionally, it was just a bad day in the office and we all have them.”

The Blues boss says Sears is the only injury concern following Friday’s game: “Freddie’s got a tight hamstring, we’ll just have to wait and see how he is. He’s the only one.

“But, of course, Teddy and Kevin Bru are playing in the U21s [at Birmingham] today, as is Tommy Oar. But all the others are fine.

“Freddie’s been exceptional, I’d be desperate to have him in the squad but what I won’t do is risk him.

“We had a bad day in the office on Friday, although I thought he was excellent again, but we’ve plenty of games left so I wouldn’t risk him at all.”

McCarthy confirmed that Daryl Murphy, a sub at the Madejski Stadium, is fit enough to start having been out with a calf injury.

Photo: Action Images

StowTractorBoy added 17:35 - Sep 14 I have backed MM right from the start of his reign and defended most of the decisions he has made, but I cannot understand this ridiculous decision. The argument should be that before Bart sadly lost his father he was superb against Burnley and if you follow MMs past theories Bart should be back in. Gerken has lost all his confidence since the bashing he got at Middlesbrough but in MM eyes he is our number one which I find absolutely incredible. Of course I want Gerks to play well and hope he proves my worries wrong but this decision is so harsh on Bart. Not at all confident about getting a result now as no doubt Smith and Chambers will still be played out of position. Sears will be a massive miss but will allow options for Murphy and McGoldrick.

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CharlieITFC added 17:44 - Sep 14 Although I agree with everyone that as soon as Bart is ready he should be back in, as he has been playing well. However, has anyone actually considered that maybe Bart still isn't in the right frame of mind to be playing and actually this is just good man management again from Mick to keep his matters private? I don't rate Gerken in the same bracket as Bart, but he is still a decent championship keeper, and on his day has saved us many points. I think he might actually benefit from some extra support from us.

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neillrumsey added 17:46 - Sep 14 nothing to add but this statement by MM beggar's belief as neither the defence or the fans have any confidence in Gerken. When I saw him in pre season at Colchester every goal was down to him. Colchester fans behind us said they couldn't believe we signed him and secondly that he played first team football for us. He was apparently garbage whilst at Col Utd. Please do see this as blaming Gerken for the drubbing on Friday as this is a team issue but my point is that they have no confidence in him hence the last two results

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BlueandTruesince82 added 17:53 - Sep 14 Have to say Bart surely? Gerks is clear second best for me, Bart I think is developing. Maybe his heads still not straight but that's not the inference from Mick. We have played 2 games without him and looked dodge at the back, prior to that we hadnt lost a game Bart plzzz.
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PJH added 17:54 - Sep 14 As a few have pointed out,it may be that Bart is unavailable-relating to his Father's death. We are all assuming that MM at the moment prefers Gerks to Bart but if it transpires that Bart is not available tomorrow,we have all been jumping to the wrong conclusion. Having said that,if it is a straight choice between Gerks and Bart I would choose Bart every time.
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thebeat added 18:01 - Sep 14 Im not having the theory of Barts head not being right. If its good enough to sit on the bench its good enough to start. He could have to come on as early as the first minute. This kind of selection stregthens the theory that a lot of fans have that Mick lets his personal feelings for certain players affect his team sheet. Why else have we had a lop sided back four for over 2 years now which has cost us plenty of goals down the right hand side? You cant tell me there hasnt been a rightback available out there to bring in. There has, but he just doesnt want to upset one of his "boys"

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thebeat added 18:01 - Sep 14 Im not having the theory of Barts head not being right. If its good enough to sit on the bench its good enough to start. He could have to come on as early as the first minute. This kind of selection stregthens the theory that a lot of fans have that Mick lets his personal feelings for certain players affect his team sheet. Why else have we had a lop sided back four for over 2 years now which has cost us plenty of goals down the right hand side? You cant tell me there hasnt been a rightback available out there to bring in. There has, but he just doesnt want to upset one of his "boys"

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Tractorboy1985 added 18:04 - Sep 14 This is very depressing news! Bart is no de gea but he understands the back 4 far more than gerken.. He commands his area! Every time I have watched gerken I find myself closing my eyes when the balls come into the box or balls laid back to him by our defence! If that's what I think what goes through the back 4's minds??? Another thing.. Why is bru playing for the U21's?? Yes he's been out for a few weeks but looked very sharp v Brentford and can hardly have lost all his fitness! Should be lining up in the starting 11 2morro then if he's blowing after 60-70 replace him with coke! Bish I can understand needs a few minutes 2nite.. Young lad.. Won't be quite match sharp yet but playing bru is mind boggling! Say he picks up an injury in a nothing game?? I was so optimistic after the first 5 games however what I saw Friday was far from a promotion chasing side! We must improve.. And QUICKLY!! Leeds away is always a tough game! Come on boys.. Big effort and performance! COYB!!!!

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blueboy1981 added 18:07 - Sep 14 Not changing the team after that totally inexcusable debacle is 'stubbornness' to the extreme. I am still not at all convinced that MM really cares a hoot about us being successful - maybe the bank balance is success enough for him, and the core criteria. Prove me wrong please ......... but as yet to happen ....... and indeed will it .. ???? Think about it ...... !!!

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whosroundisitanyway added 18:14 - Sep 14 chrisw2045 What the hell have you been watching?????
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SuffolkBlueSam added 18:18 - Sep 14 Just a thought - maybe this is actually amazing man management by Mick and Bart purely isn't up to starting? Losing a father is extremely upsetting and unsettling. I'm sure Bart has been travelling a lot in the last few weeks and is probably mentally and physically drained. As a professional footballer, in the public eye, being thrown back into work may not be possible to the welfare of Bart, or the rest of the side. Maybe Mick is protecting his team, he's hardly going to come out and say, 'we're stuck with Gerks in goal, Barts lost his head'. Get behind the team, it's another marked improvement on last year - thus far. I need a few more defeats before I really panic.

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Chicago_Blue added 18:18 - Sep 14 Gerks retains his place???!!! Is this a joke? Bart wasn't dropped based on a poor performance, so surely he'd still be playing and therefore should be straight back in. No logic to that at all. Mick being stubborn. Absolutely flabbergasted!!!
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battyblue added 18:40 - Sep 14 I have lost any faith I had in Mick mcarthy which was not a lot he just beggars belief,doesn't give a toss for the paying supporters just a big I am man.
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runningout added 18:42 - Sep 14 1 defeat is too many if your up to the grade.... I realise this is a rear view, but should we have a ruthless mentality we will go places... at the moment we are not putting the effort in... Players more interested in what their hair looks like than reading a game of football
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bohslegend added 18:45 - Sep 14 I can totally understand the frustration and disappointment after Fridays game. A lot of that comes from the excellent start to the season we've had and that if we'd won we would have gone top. So yes I agree that questions must be raised about the performance on Friday night. But how in God's name have all of the Realists suddenly come bounding out of the long grass to attack MM, all of his approach and just about every good thing he's done for the club?? Gerken was poor the other night. But so was the rest of the team with the possible exception of Didsy. When 5 goals go in at any game, I guarantee you the outfield 10 did not play very well did they??!! So the entire blame should never be landed on the keeper. On a side note, looking at all the minus marks dished out to anyone (usually around 19 minus marks) its the usual realists many of whom have spent the entire off season perfecting their career mode FIFA 15 teams and feel they know a thing or two more than MM and TC. I even see Blueboy back again although not spouting the usual nonsense pre playoffs and start of this season. Just marking people down. #chiponshoulder #agenda #budgie

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blueboy1981 added 18:50 - Sep 14 Alfie ............. one, and all, entitled to their opinion - but if you, and your thinking, represents a 'new breed' of ITFC Support - we will never need to, and certainly won't, win anything. Let's ALL start wanting success at this Club again - that desire has always been our 'proud pedigree' and known throughout the whole game. Over the past decade, and more, we have progressively degenerated into a JOKE in comparison. Currently, are we really heading in the right direction ........ ???? Questionable for sure ...... !!!

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FromIpswichToPhoenix added 18:52 - Sep 14 A bad day at the office? A bad day at the office is being late for a meeting or missing a deadline. This was not bothering to show up, coming in late the next day, ignoring all email and playing Freecell and hanging up on people who call you. Plan A did work. With Bart.
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PSGBlue added 18:56 - Sep 14 I do not understand, Bart was playing well till the death of his father and Gerks stepped in against Brighton. Why hasn't MM brought back Bart, he is our number one keeper after all. Especially when we have conceded 8 last two matches. We hardly get much from Leeds away, especially on a Tuesday night. With the potential loss of Sears I do not expect much from this game. Bit of a shame considering all the good feeling after the first two weeks.

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backwiththeboysagain added 18:57 - Sep 14 For the first time I'm perplexed by MM's decisions. To keep Gerkin in goal after Friday's display is a mystery, considering we have a far better keeper on the bench. Seems he's sticking with favourites, and square pegs in round holes again.
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jrobot added 19:01 - Sep 14 Only thing I can think of is that he is hoping gerken doesn't let in so many goals this game then he can change him for Bart and it won't look like a knee jerk reaction?! I guess he going to give them chance to redeem themselves.
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gloucester_tractor added 19:13 - Sep 14 As Harry Wright played for u21 today I have a feeling Crowe or Henley will be on the bench tomorrow
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toxtethblue added 19:20 - Sep 14 Gerken after friday!?! Are you s h ittin' me!?!!
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Marshalls_Mullet added 19:24 - Sep 14 I though Bart was Plan A and that's what worked?!
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Warkys_Tash added 19:42 - Sep 14 Gerks or Bart are not number 1's. We all know that - However, the defence were shocking, incl Skuse. Chambers got skinned & turned inside out for the 4th, Berra got done for the 3rd, great shot for the 2nd, the first was Stewart Esq..I didn't stay for the 5th.. So although he isn't great, was he solely to blame? Douglas leggy & awful.. Treading water!! MM needs to go out & get a decent RB & GK or start playing Parr & still go get a keeper. 8 goals shipped in 2 games.

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blueboy1981 added 19:51 - Sep 14 bohslegend .......... you've surfaced ..... and posted. Shame the content hasn't improved, but not surprised at that ........... same old, same old, same old. Suggest the head goes back in the sand - I'm sure it suits you fine - and, of course, be happy, keep smiling, stay satisfied - AND don't ever dare to question MICHAEL McCARTHY on anything at all.
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