Has Dean Gerken Turned The Corner?

I admit I was one of them and probably still am. A Town supporter who had serious reservations about our current number one.

But let us give credit where credit is due and of late Dean Gerken has looked much more assured behind the sticks and has made some crucial saves in crucial games.

He was Man of the Match against Middlesbrough – although of course we lost 0-2 and these days our defenders seem to have come to terms with him being the last line of defence behind them.

Mick McCarthy cannot see what all the fuss was about and in his eyes he has been largely blameless in most of the games he has played in a Town shirt.

This is where I disagree because I always feel there is a mistake just waiting to happen but more recently it has not – so is this as much to do with our defenders upping their game, as much as Gerken upping his?

Whatever the reasons there is little doubt that our defence as a whole has improved and those silly mistakes that have cost us points all season at the back have for the moment at least, been reduced.

On Saturday against Portsmouth in the 3rd Round of the F.A. Cup I expect Bartosz Bialkowski to get the nod.

Even Mick McCarthy has argued he has two number one keepers so this is an excellent opportunity to see our Polish keeper back in the firing line and he may be joined by another Pole in defender Piotr Malarczyk, who is also in need of some game time.

I hope that our manager does not do what he did against Manchester United in the League Cup and field a reserve team?

I think he may have learned his lesson though and instead field some of the fringe players along with some more recognized first teamers and a change of keeper seems an obvious choice.

Mick McCarthy repeated what he has uttered on many occasions when quizzed over his first team choice when he said, “I don`t understand the comments that I`ve ‘kept faith in him`.”

He went on to say, “I didn`t really have to show that much faith in him because I thought he was playing well.I keep repeating myself, the only goal I would put half down to him was the third goal at Reading and I can`t think of any others.’

Well most us us will beg to differ on that I guess but let’s be honest and admit that goalkeeping is largely a thankless task.

One mistake and it is magnified a thousand times and the pressure starts to mount. It is an unenviable position and there is only one place up for grabs so you have to grab it with both hands!


Frank Weston – Editor of Vital Ipswich