No keeper on the bench

[luketufc]

With Ellis, McPhee, Lathrope, Macklin and Atieno on the bench for the Burton match it meant we had no goalkeeper cover.

Do people reckon this will be a regular occurence and is it a good or bad thing. And also if Bobby was to become injured during a match who would be put between the sticks?

IMO it does allow more opportunites for Ling to change the game but with players like McPhee who are versatile i don't think this is a risk that needs to be taken.

[gullno4]

McPhee, seems to play everywhere else

[cambgull]

Ellis would make a half decent keeper, perhaps even Atieno could do it too.

[AlexGulls]

I'd rather have Stevens in goal than Rice plus I'd rather have 5 players who can influence the game/be covered in the outfield positions. So Ive no problem having no keeper on the bench.

[kevgull]

How about Stevens in goal and Rice on the wing!

[Scottish Gull]

IMO (and probably a bit biased) you should ALWAYS have keeper cover. I'd rather play it safe and have a keeper sitting on the bench I.C.E than have no cover incase of a red card/injury, especially in the modern game the amount of keepers now playing sweeper keeper.

[AustrianAndyGull]

How about Stevens in goal and Rice on the wing!

That would be immense. Our goal threat from out wide would be improved in an instant.

[AlexGulls]

IMO (and probably a bit biased) you should ALWAYS have keeper cover. I'd rather play it safe and have a keeper sitting on the bench I.C.E than have no cover incase of a red card/injury, especially in the modern game the amount of keepers now playing sweeper keeper.

Slight differance when an outfield player will be as good/better than the second choice keeper though

[Plymouth Gull]

Swear I read that McPhee had played in goal before? As Smiffy says, the fact that we only have 5 now means we should focus more on the outfield players, for me.

[Scottish Gull]

I understand where your coming from on both fronts. That is a downfall when an outfield player is better than our backup keeper. But easily fixed extra training sessions, although it will take time. What I should've said in my first post though is that it is soul-destroying for a keeper to sit on the bench and do nothing (speaking from personal experience). But as I said I would always play it safe regardless of how good or bad the lad is!