Bartosz Bialkowski loves it so much at Town that he would love to stay here for the remainder of his career.

The Polish goalkeeper said: “I love this place, I love this club and my family are so happy here. We are settled and I can see myself playing here for many, many years, perhaps for the rest of my career. Who knows?”

Bialkowski returns to Brentford tomorrow, the scene of Town’s opening-day draw last season when, despite leading 2-0 with 90 minutes on the clock, they still had to settle for just one point after being stung by two late Bees’ goals.

Conceding late goals cost Mick McCarthy and his men several points last season and Bialkowski added: “We conceded sloppy goals in the last few minutes of games. Maybe it was due to a lapse in concentration, I don’t know, but that’s football and that kind of thing happens in games.

“We all want to do well for the whole of the game but sometimes it isn’t easy because the other team is pushing forward, especially when you are winning.

“When I came to England I noticed that when you are winning by one or even two goals the other team never gives up and keeps pushing forward.

“You don’t get that in Poland — the team that is behind just seem to think it’s not their day and accept it. It’s totally different here and everyone wants to give everything in the last few minutes, especially if they are losing.

“I remember Brentford last season. We were winning 2-0 then conceded two sloppy goals in the last few minutes of the game. We were disappointed and we must go there on Saturday and make sure we stick to our plan, play our game and keep going right to the end.”

The arrival of defender Adam Webster in a £700,000 pre-season deal with Portsmouth, which included Matt Clarke signing permanently for Pompey after an impressive season-long loan spell, has seen boss McCarthy encourage a play-from-the-back approach.

Asked if he is looking to feed the full-backs more, Bialkowski said: “Yes, if it’s on I’m going to do it. Adam is really good on the ball and that gives us extra options. I think we’re just going to mix it up and play from the back when we can, but not if there is any danger.”

Bialkowski heads up a long line of goalkeepers — Dean Gerken, third-choice Michael Crowe, first-year pro Jacob Marsden and academy second-year scholars Nick Hayes and Harry Wright are others with their sights set on the number one shirt — and admitted: “The future looks bright for the club in terms of goalkeepers. They are training hard every day and you can see they are making progress. I am really happy for them.

“It’s very hard for me to say whether Michael will challenge Dean and me because he needs to play games. He’s a really good lad but I don’t want to give him that spot to play for Ipswich. Maybe he needs to go out on loan to play and gain experience, and then we’ll see.”

Meanwhile, his ambition to play for his country is a driving force for Bialkowski but he is determined not to let it become a distraction.

He confessed: “It has always been my dream to play for Poland and it is still my target. If I can maintain my form who knows? But I am not thinking about it yet.

“I don’t know if it will happen because we have so many good Polish goalies. We have one in Spain and a couple in Italy, in the top division in Germany and in the Premier League as well. There are a lot of good ones.

“I just need to concentrate on my club football and not think about anything else. I just want to do really well for the club and we will see what the future brings.”

Photo: TWTD

Dissboyitfc added 07:06 - Aug 12 and we love having you as our number 1. Not sure on this webster yet, early days.
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ArnieM added 07:07 - Aug 12 Don't be surprised when he moves on. Because he will when PL club comes calling and we will no doubt sell.
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TractorCam added 07:26 - Aug 12 Best keeper we've had in a long time
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tcblue added 07:33 - Aug 12 Big Pole in the goal Tralalalala
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BlueySwede added 07:46 - Aug 12 THAT save against Barnsley! :O Not without flaws, but excellent keeper!
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Cakeman added 08:15 - Aug 12 I agree ArnieM, Bart is the one player we have that could easily step up to the Premier division. I am amazed but pleased no one has come in for him this summer. A great attitude with ability to match.
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ArnieM added 08:18 - Aug 12 Caveman. I've heard that clubs are circling already. I'm just bracing myself really. Put it this way I know we didn't play well Tues night but I think Bart would have save that goal.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 09:05 - Aug 12 At 29, he's still relatively young in goalkeeping terms, and with him now finally finding himself playing regularly at a decent level, I can only see him getting better and better. I expect over the next couple of seasons, he'll iron out many of the inconsistencies in his game and go onto establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers Town have had since the late 80s.

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Radlett_blue added 09:07 - Aug 12 I'm glad Bart seems to be establishing himself as clear #1. However, we seem to concede late goals because Mick makes negative substitutions & we sit back, inviting pressure. I don't expect Bart to say that publicly, though.
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backwiththeboysagain added 09:25 - Aug 12 Best keeper we've had for a long while, my fear is a PL team will take a chance with him, or MM will recall Gerken at some point in the season for some unbeknown reason
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Lightningboy added 09:29 - Aug 12 Great to hear Bart - I just hope Mick doesn't start chopping and changing - been far too many different keepers at this club over the last 15 years,hope you're our number 1 for a good few seasons.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:43 - Aug 12 Good on you, Bart. We love you too! When you first came and were trying to establish yourself (Colchester friendly, etc.) I knew you would become Nr. 1. And so it has proved to be.
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ipswichjames added 10:07 - Aug 12 Favourite keeper since Richard Wright, reeeally hope he stays!
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muccletonjoe added 10:09 - Aug 12 His save last week was nothing short of miraculous. I was expecting the ball to hit the net. Agree with all town fans. He is by far the best keeper we have had in many years.
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Vizslaraner added 11:12 - Aug 12 Easily prem standard and a top keeper. Head and shoulders above different class Gerks! We want you here Bart man and a top bloke as well as being first class on the pitch.
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MathieandMarshall added 12:15 - Aug 12 IMO best keeper we have had here since Kelvin Davies! some of the saves he pulls off (like the one on Saturday) leave you scratching your head trying to work out how?!
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BeattiesBeerGut added 15:48 - Aug 12 First half save he made last Saturday was world class...Gerks isn't as bad as the boo boys make out but Bart is one of the best in the Championship in my book.
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