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McCarthy Set to Stick With Bart
Wednesday, 17th Feb 2016 09:20

Town boss Mick McCarthy is set to continue his policy of sticking by the keeper in possession of the shirt when Dean Gerken returns from injury with Bartosz Bialkowski having been outstanding in his absence.

Gerken, the Blues' number one for most of the season, is expected to be fit ahead of next Tuesday’s game at home to Hull City, having missed the last three matches with a shoulder injury sustained in the closing minutes at Birmingham.

Having been Town's man of the match in the 1-0 loss at QPR a week previously, Bialkowski was again the Blues' outstanding performer during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Bristol City, making one save which drew comparisons with the famous Gordon Banks stop from Pele during the 1970 World Cup, with manager Mick McCarthy hailing his performance “magnificent”.

“I’m sort of revisiting a story from the last time when Gerks got in and Bart had been brilliant,” McCarthy said. “It was very sad that he lost his place after the sad loss of his father.

“They’ve both given up that position through really difficult times. Gerks when he’s been carried off and his wife had just given birth and watched it on television. They’ve had tough times between them.

“But what they’ve always done is supported each other. And if one comes in and plays well then, as has been proven, I’ve left them in the team.”

Last week, Bialkowski revealed that he was close to agreeing new terms with Town - having received interest from elsewhere including China - and McCarthy says he’s very keen to keep the former Southampton and Notts County man at Portman Road.

“Talks are under way, so it’s quite clear that I myself, the club and [owner] Marcus [Evans], we want to tie him down to a longer deal,” he added. “We’re very lucky, I’ve got two really good goalkeepers.”

Meanwhile, 20-year-old keeper Michael Crowe was in action for his loan club Braintree last night as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat against Boreham Wood.

Crowe, who rejoined the Iron for a second month at the end of last week, has now made six appearances for the Vanarama National League club, keeping three clean sheets.


Photo: Action Images



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oldelsworthyfan added 09:29 - Feb 17
Better late than never!

It is quite extraordinary that it has taken so long for it to dawn on MM that Bart is our Number One goalie.

The next bit of enlightenment he needs is to see that Chambers is not the best Right Full Back in the club. And that Smith is playing on the wrong side of our back line..
11

vanmunt added 09:33 - Feb 17
He has always been the better keeper, we have all known that but Mr Stubborn knows best.. pretty much like Chambers at RB, Smith on wrong side and poor Freddie stuck on the left.
14

vanmunt added 09:34 - Feb 17
@olde

Ha, I was writing the same thing..
2

Keaneish added 09:46 - Feb 17
Easiest decision of your tenure Mick.
3

Kesgraveblue57 added 09:50 - Feb 17
Look at the goals-against 39 both goalkeepers are third rate,so is the defence, midfield,and forwards The only thing is we have a wonderful manager who plays delightful football
-9

therein61 added 09:52 - Feb 17
Well that's a positive selection decision Mick!!!(always been a no brainer in my humble opinion!!!) how about taking the blinkers off regarding the disjointed back 4 that has cost us a shed load of points this season?.
9

DoobDude added 09:54 - Feb 17
He'll say anything to get Bart to sign his new contract.
1

muccletonjoe added 10:01 - Feb 17
How could he possibly drop him after the last 2 games
10

jert16 added 10:07 - Feb 17
Good management!
1

1RWR added 10:11 - Feb 17
An awful lot of minuses this morning, a tad grumpy are we?
0

Bert added 10:41 - Feb 17
MM is being consistent on the goalkeeping front so credit to him. He is not saying that Bart is the no.1 keeper, he is saying that Bart has been brilliant so will keep the jersey. That's how it works. Thankfully, MM has skills in managing his players fairly and properly. He keeps a happy ship which is essential to motivating players when things are not going well. Why don't some posters just keep to the point rather than going on and on about their preferences knowing full well that MM has little flexibility.
15

tractorboytedwardo19 added 10:41 - Feb 17
I think micks handled the gk situation a lot better than what people have made out, gerken wasn't that bad in goal and it would be harsh to drop him when he did save us a number of times. I agree Bart is the better keeper but I wouldn't say that there's a lot of difference between the two especially when gerken is in form. However it's great news that bart wants to extend his contract and mick does too, it can be worrying when two players (parr and oar) both want to leave the club so when a player who has been on the bench a lot this season wants to extend his contract, it shows that the club hasn't lost its man management skill and players do still want to fight for their place!
13

blueherts added 11:03 - Feb 17
The GK position is not the problem - it is whoever is doing set pieces in training - we cannot defend corners ,crosses or free kicks
Most keepers do not come - and our defenders will now realise that - but that is know excuse for Smith Berra , Knudsen Chambers etc not to know how to defend set pieces - training ? MM - A centre back by trade ??! if there was one thing he should add at training it should be that basic
3

NoCanariesAllowed added 11:11 - Feb 17
oldelsworthyfan - I doubt it is any such belated 'realisation' or submission to the regular slating of Gerken on sites such as this. I find it rather more likely that Mick doesn't HAVE a determined 'No.1' and is simply more likely to stick with whichever of two similar keepers he feels should have the shirt at that time - regardless of whether or not fans agree with him.
6

Bluebell added 11:17 - Feb 17
Good for Mick. Bart only lost his place when his father died.

He has been amazing since he came back so the break obviously made him more aware of how easy it is to lose out to another keeper.

For what it's worth I think Gerks has a similar ability but Bart just topped it for me over the last few weeks.
5

bluey123 added 11:21 - Feb 17
Good god wonders never cease Gerken should have never played in the first place we might have still been in playoff place if he played the proper keeper
-2

ArnieM added 11:25 - Feb 17
So the people that feel Mick has his favourites, are now shown to be wong in this issue of the GK's. Tbh I dont think there's an awful lot of difference between them, despite Barts recent outstanding saves - thats what his youtube cameo showed before we got him from N.County. For me Ive often thought he lacks concentration at times, letting in seemingly tame shots. HIs kicking can also often be wayward, but his command of his area is better than Gerkins.

Gerkin can also make instinctive super shot saves. Through a run of games he has gained in confidence and the back four had appeard to trust him more. Not an easy thing to accomplish on a backdrop of undoubted dislike and vocal discontent by the "fans". Gerkin should be given plaudits for becoming a good soild GK. Do I feel either are good enough for a team really serious about promotion? No!
0

ArnieM added 11:26 - Feb 17
Overall Mick has handled the keeper situation with diligence and professionalism IMO.
10

blues1 added 11:31 - Feb 17
Bluey123. The fact is that gerken gas been playing well and had even solved the biggest issue in his game and had started to control his area much better. And the fact we're out of top six has nothing to do with either keeper, but our unbalanced defence, with 2 out of the 4 playing out of position.
0

iaintaylorx added 11:33 - Feb 17
Okay, Gerks has done well over the past few months but Bart is without doubt our best keeper and I honestly think when he gets his confidence back, he'll be a massive player for us next season! I'm not comparing him to De Gea or Cech but look how many points a good keeper can save you in a season. Well deserved Bart, top keeper!
4

Kropotkin123 added 12:05 - Feb 17
Just look at the difference of how the keepers performed in there first 2 games back in goal. Bart is far better. I'm glad he is signing a new contract and is back in as number one.

I think Mick handled the situation badly, we lost our number one keeper for half the season because his Dad died. Disgusting.
4

ventilator added 12:30 - Feb 17
No doubt that Bart has been impressive and deserves to retain his place. However I'd be much happier if the need to call upon Bart's Banksesque abilities were substantially reduced each game.
4

ArnieM added 12:55 - Feb 17
Kropotkin. You make the assumption Bart was "dropped" because his father died. Had you ever considered that the poor blokes head was all over the place due to bereavement?? The staff at PR know the players inside out and it quite possibly was the case that Bart was in the right place mentally after his father's death. You only had to look at some of the tweets Bart posted to see how very upset he was. The Club - his employer were looking after HIM and allowing him to grieve. Get this notion of some clandestine "favouritism " is lurking behind the scenes because it's utter tripe.
8

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:26 - Feb 17
This is a complete non-story. MM is simply doing what he has always said. Personally, I'm very happy Bart is back, but Gerken had been doing well too up to his injury. We've got bigger problems to worry about.
4

Bubba32 added 13:30 - Feb 17
Bart has proved that he's a more capable keeper than Gerks. Keep him there. Shame we didn't look into sorting this keeper situation earlier!!
1


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