Our keeper.

[Born again Bill]

Barry has got his work cut out to get his place back after a performance like that . Well done Mark

[Keith]

Yup, it's Mark's shirt until he loses it rather than Bad automatic return. And that's good!
Easily MotM v Port Vale.

[Christies Minder]

Just back from Port Vale and Halstead was fantastic with four world class saves in the first half plus the penalty save from prolific Tom Pope he kept us in the game and it was fitting that we scored the goal to get us the three points which his performance deserved, no chance Baz coming back after that performance , not yet anyway !!

[Slanester]

Mark Halstead today, one word.....MAGNIFICENT. Not only that, he made it look so easy.

[halfwayprawn]

Excellent performance from Mark today,that penalty save and the one down to his right,brilliant.

[cyprus-shrimp]

Not sure that I really understand this thread. Surely we should just consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have such a good back-up (No. 2) keeper as Barry Roche.

[Ntini]

I obviously agree with everything said about Mark's brilliant saves on Saturday which undoubtedly kept us in the game, but for me he did more than that. I thought he managed the game extremely well and communicated well with the back four. He just always seemed in control.

At the end of the first half, he collected the ball in his hands and Conlon made a break from the box, calling for a quick throw out to start a counter attack. Mark was about to throw the ball and then clasped it back into his chest. As Conlan stopped his run and looked back bemused, Mark simply looked up at the scoreboard above him and pointed at the clock. No need to take unnecessary risks just before half time.

It's that kind of cool head and experience that we need in the run-in.

[Keith]

At the end of the first half, he collected the ball in his hands and Conlon made a break from the box, calling for a quick throw out to start a counter attack. Mark was about to throw the ball and then clasped it back into his chest. As Conlan stopped his run and looked back bemused, Mark simply looked up at the scoreboard above him and pointed at the clock. No need to take unnecessary risks just before half time.

Well spotted!

[Caton83]

As a big fan of Barry, I have now come to appreciate that Mark Halstead has actually done very well. That said, is he seen in this forums eyes as the first choice, or is he just one poor game away from Jim having justification in re-installng Barry.
No place for sentiment but is Barry now the back-up after all his quality years service ?.

[tim-sanchez]

Same as any other position for me. He's earnt his position, and he's first choice until poor performances/suspension/injury means it's time for Barry to step in, and for me that would be more than just 1 bad match.

Barry has been a fantastic servant for us, and I'm sure he understands the situation totally. It's not as if we're discussing releasing Barry, I'm sure we'd all like both to stay at the club.

[Wild Bill]

Halstead's kicking on Saturday was very poor. Pretty much every clearance went to the opposition. He's made some great saves recently, but I still think Baz is the safest bet between the sticks if fully fit.

[black morse]

It would be a risk to switch keepers at this moment Baz has had a long lay off and may take a couple of games to get back into it.

[Caton83]

Barry back in goal tomorrow against Crawley. Halstead dropped. Maybe JB made his mind up on who is really first choice. Could cost us losing Mark for next season now. Hope Baz is up for another season next year.

[black morse]

Barry back in goal tomorrow against Crawley. Halstead dropped. Maybe JB made his mind up on who is really first choice. Could cost us losing Mark for next season now. Hope Baz is up for another season next year.

Hope he's up to it this year after his long lay off. Can't risk mistakes tomorrow

[marky No.1]

Massive decision this, not just for tomorrow but for the upcoming months and contracts for next season

[black morse]

I can understand Jim wanting to give Baz a run out and see how he has recovered before contract decisions but I'm not sure whether this match, which is so important, is the right one to use.

Hope my fears are unfounded!

[Slanester]

Total respect to the “big man,” but this is a very big game for us, and very big decision to to put him back in over Mark, after such a long time out. I am sure this will be the main talking point after the game, whatever the result.( )

COYS.

[Caton83]

JB apparently wants to freshen things up, and as Baz did so well at this stage of last season. Mark is the fall guy and looking like he is carrying the can for the recent 4-0 loss.
Not a great decision even though i am a massive fan of Barry, as Mark has almost won us points on his own ( if that were possible). I think that there could be fall-out from this decision, and reckon now that only one of them will be here next season !.
Just my opinion though - nothing factual

[Slanester]

JB apparently wants to freshen things up, and as Baz did so well at this stage of last season. Mark is the fall guy and looking like he is carrying the can for the recent 4-0 loss.
Not a great decision even though i am a massive fan of Barry, as Mark has almost won us points on his own ( if that were possible). I think that there could be fall-out from this decision, and reckon now that only one of them will be here next season !.
Just my opinion though - nothing factual

Agreed C83
If the decision is based on last weeks result, then for me it is poor one by JB, even if we get the win.

[fulwoodshrimp]

Dropping Halstead is no great surprise. Our management team have shown themselves to be very erratic in their team selections over the years. This is just the latest in a long line. Talking of team selections will Wildig and/or Tutte be making a rare appearance?

[Westgate Wanderer]

Not a surprise to me sadly, i think JB was waiting for an excuse to get Baz back and after a poor game last week (by everyone) he's got it. Has to keep his favourites happy even if it's to the detriment of the team. Long term could well mean losing Halstead who has mainly been performing brilliantly. Baz, Kev and Kenyon nailed on players. Probably Oliver too once he's fit again

[redrobo]

Bloody awful decision and feel disgusted.

Wouldn't blame Mark if he walked at the end of this season.

As if Baz's kicking is any better....Will be interesting to see how may times his kicks go straight out of play.

No doubt the manager will revert to a cautious line up. with KE starting at the expense of Reece or even Aaron.....

Terrible man management and as for putting the blame on last weeks 4-0 defeat down to Mark, what happened after the Crewe opening game...no change to the keeper then....

Just hope that Caton83 has got it wrong

[MfcChris]

Bloody awful decision and feel disgusted.

Wouldn't blame Mark if he walked at the end of this season.

As if Baz's kicking is any better....Will be interesting to see how may times his kicks go straight out of play.

No doubt the manager will revert to a cautious line up. with KE starting at the expense of Reece or even Aaron.....

Terrible man management and as for putting the blame on last weeks 4-0 defeat down to Mark, what happened after the Crewe opening game...no change to the keeper then....

Just hope that Caton83 has got it wrong

Every one of Caton83’s posts since joining have been about Baz so clearly knows him so he should be correct.

Don’t be so dramatic RR. Baz is a top keeper and our number 1 keeper.

[jbc.shrimp]

Have to agree with redrobo, can't understand why Mark was dropped, he's done nothing wrong, and to see BR back in goal was a total shock.

[mrpotatohead]

Any excuse eh, Neil