As if we need another goalkeeper

[WoodleyRoyal]

http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/inde ... &nid=80540

Ryman League Division One North club Brentwood Town's goalkeeper Elliot Justham has earned a trial at Championship side Reading.

The Blues' stopper, 21, has been in excellent form this season and is one of the main reasons why they have the measliest defensive record in the league – having conceded just 13 goals in 18 games.

The 6ft 3ins tall player joined the club in the close season from Redbridge.

"He won't like me for saying this but he was a little bit porky," said manager Steve Witherspoon (pictured). "But he has lost a load of weight and he's become much more agile, he kicks the ball a mile and he gobbles up crosses.

"He's really looking forward to spending the week with Reading; he'll be training with an England Under-21 goalkeeper and an Australian international.

"He's absolutely chuffed and has been terrific for us this season."

Colchester United are also thought to be interested in securing his services but have yet to make any approach.

"It just proves that scouts are coming to watch non-league football," said Witherspoon. "It's good for us really and for the lad."

Another player who's just returned from a trial with a professional club is midfielder James Love, 19, who spent a few days with League Two Swindon Town.

"He had a great time," added Witherspoon. "He's a fabulous player and he used to play alongside (Liverpool's) Jonjo Shelvey.

"They'll keep monitoring for the rest of the season I think, he's playing like Scott Parker."

[RobRoyal]

Perhaps we're selling in January. That's probably sensible. We'd benefit from moving one of McCarthy and Federici if that allows us to hold on to another asset/ bring another player in.

[Cobi]

One of Anderson or McCarthy will go either in January or at the end of the season. All three of our keepers could step into the first team and do a sufficiant job, and you can't keep them all happy.

[Svlad Cjelli]

Perhaps we're going to rebrand the academy as "Keepers R Us"

[Cobi]

"Finders Keepers"

[Bandini]

"He won't like me for saying this but he was a little bit porky,"

Ready made replacement for A-Fed.

[FiNeRaIn]

Whose not fat in the slightest

[Ian Royal]

Whose not fat in the slightest

He carries plenty of padding. Not a problem in a keeper really.

[Friday's Legacy]

Whose not fat in the slightest

He carries plenty of padding. Not a problem in a keeper really.

of course it is. the lighter and more lightweight you are the better, and more agile as well. a tubby goalkeeper is not going to be as athletic as a slim goalkeeper.

[DandyRoyal]

of course it is. the lighter and more lightweight you are the better, and more agile as well. a tubby goalkeeper is not going to be as athletic as a slim goalkeeper.

That's not entirely true, in fact I daresay it is a gross generalisation. Agility can be deceptive and is not necessarily related to weight (up to a point). Neville Southall anyone?

[Ian Royal]

Paddy Kenny more recently. Although not a great he's certainly decent.

Hahnemann was hardly svelte either.

[Ferris]

Ajax's Jeroen Verhoeven

[Bandini]

Paddy Kenny more recently. Although not a great he's certainly decent.

And has got better since he lost w8.

[Rex]

Paddy Kenny more recently. Although not a great he's certainly decent.

And has got better since he lost w8.

Eyebrowg8.

[Terminal Boardom]

Can't see the fuss. Why shouldn't any club look to improve on what they already have? A trial is a perfect opportunity and benefits everyone concerned.

[melonhead]

plus if we plan to sell fed in jan then we'll need another to cover mcarthy when andersson goes out on loan etc

[Wycombe Royal]

Here he is in action:

[Hoop Blah]

Can't see the fuss. Why shouldn't any club look to improve on what they already have? A trial is a perfect opportunity and benefits everyone concerned.

I don't really have a problem with it myself, although it seems pretty pointless when we have a glut of decent keepers and prospects coming through. I know we like to spread out net far and wide for a cheap bargain but we already have this lot.

Federici
McCarthy
Andersen
Locke
Santandelo
Henly

He might not cost much in terms of wages, but surely there's a point where we're bringing in too many players?

[Snowball]

Can't see the fuss. Why shouldn't any club look to improve on what they already have? A trial is a perfect opportunity and benefits everyone concerned.

I don't really have a problem with it myself, although it seems pretty pointless when we have a glut of decent keepers and prospects coming through. I know we like to spread out net far and wide for a cheap bargain but we already have this lot.

Federici
McCarthy
Andersen
Locke
Santandelo
Henly

He might not cost much in terms of wages, but surely there's a point where we're bringing in too many players?

Admittedly from the pictures we might go "HUH?" But perhaps experts see fantastic potential
and a 20-50K buy and tiny wages, we make the kid into something really special and he gets sold for loads

Or he's a very decent Championship keeper and we make money selling Feds, then Hart, then Andersen

Y'know, I think the coaching staff, and the people with the purse strings KNOW
they have X keepers on the books already. I doubt if we have someone with a
keeper fetish. There's probably actually GOOD REASON for much of what they do

[Hoop Blah]

Don't doubt any of that Snowball, I'm just answering TB's question as to why wouldn't we look at improving ourselves.

Do I believe this lad will surpass our other keepers and build a reputation worthy of either saving or earning us a fortune? No. Do I think we should stop looking for little gems like this? No.

Do I think that we have endless resources to keep doing this? No. Do I think that perhaps we'd be better off spending our time, energy and money on other parts of the team in greater need? Yeah, probably I do.