Goal-keeper on loan from Blackpool

[HALMA 1983]

There are no guarantees of staying in the football league - signing players does help but we still need at least another 20 points from last 19 games to have a chance of staying up !!!

I have a feeling it'll be far lower than that, all the other bottom 6 sides are totally dire, don't win, can't score and let in loads.
Looking at Stevenage, they might stay there till the very end the way they're performing, Macc or Latics could potentially have points deducted or worse still, go to the wall.

No, after seeing that performance against Vale, there's no way Morecambe are dropping.

[redrobo]

Without knowing the actual financial arrangements of the deal I feel that we have more urgent matters to take priority such as a striker over that of another goalkeeper BUT DA obviously feels that a new goalkeeper to put pressure on Mark or even to replace him (which for me is a wee bit unfair) is needed.

Will be interesting team selection this weekend but it looks as though every position is being looked at by DA which has been needed for a few seasons. Also good to see that we are looking at areas other than Merseyside for inspiration on the field.

[RapidShrimp]

There are no guarantees of staying in the football league - signing players does help but we still need at least another 20 points from last 19 games to have a chance of staying up !!!

I have a feeling it'll be far lower than that, all the other bottom 6 sides are totally dire, don't win, can't score and let in loads.
Looking at Stevenage, they might stay there till the very end the way they're performing, Macc or Latics could potentially have points deducted or worse still, go to the wall.

No, after seeing that performance against Vale, there's no way Morecambe are dropping.

I agree, I think it will be lower than normal - two reasons: Points deductions and the fact that only 1 team gets relegated. Only having one relegation place seems to have alleviated the pressure on the bottom 5/6 so standards are slipping.

If we can continue these performances and find form, we’ll hopefully be able to leapfrog a few teams.

[thedoc]

Andy D:

I expect the Goal Keeping situation with the new Keeper to be like it was 18 months back with Barry and Mark shoulder to shoulder and not much between them.

Basically healthy competition

Absolutely.

[BerlinWaller]

Interview with DA on Lancs. Sounds like both GK's start equal and it is up to them to secure the number 1 spot. A fantastic approach to management, instilling healthy competition on to the training pitch.

[HALMA 1983]

If he's half as good as some of the recent additions, it's top news for all concerned

[redrobo]

Interview with DA on Lancs. Sounds like both GK's start equal and it is up to them to secure the number 1 spot. A fantastic approach to management, instilling healthy competition on to the training pitch.

Would have thought that Baz could have stepped up if needed rather than bring in another 'keeper especially when funds are low and that we badly need another striker.

[Redalert1970]

Why don't we just let Derek get on with his job

No one on here knows how much money he has got or not got its just all rumours

There will be more players in / out before end of January that is a definate and not a rumour

Watch this space

[redrobo]

Maybe with hindsight it was a wee bit too premature for Baz to step 'upstairs' .....

I along with others felt that it was time for Mark to take on the role of No1 and would have expected / preferred Baz to assume the back up role but I assume as things have worked out that DA saw things differently which is fine but if we are relegated than maybe it would be a time for reflection on the goalkeeping issue.

I still feel that there where more pressing issues than that of a second 'keeper..... but I've every confidence that DA will prove to have been an inspirational choice by our Board.

[black morse]

Maybe with hindsight it was a wee bit too premature for Baz to step 'upstairs' .....

I along with others felt that it was time for Mark to take on the role of No1 and would have expected / preferred Baz to assume the back up role but I assume as things have worked out that DA saw things differently which is fine but if we are relegated than maybe it would be a time for reflection on the goalkeeping issue.

I still feel that there where more pressing issues than that of a second 'keeper..... but I've every confidence that DA will prove to have been an inspirational choice by our Board.

Too bloody late by then!

[Little Shrimp]

Roche, for me, looks bit past it. Can't get down very well, and seems shaky commanding his box. DA was right to make Halstead No1.

The thing is with Halstead is he can be a little temperamental. Some of the saves he makes are really, really excellent. But he does have some wobbles, and can look a little bit suspect on some occasions.

For a bit of reference, here's a showreel for our new keeper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtNI8_f-opE

He looks pretty solid, particularly a fan of those first highlights 'defensive tactics'. Times his runs out very nicely and stands up well.

[Slanester]

Roche, for me, looks bit past it. Can't get down very well, and seems shaky commanding his box. DA was right to make Halstead No1.

The thing is with Halstead is he can be a little temperamental. Some of the saves he makes are really, really excellent. But he does have some wobbles, and can look a little bit suspect on some occasions.

For a bit of reference, here's a showreel for our new keeper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtNI8_f-opE

He looks pretty solid, particularly a fan of those first highlights 'defensive tactics'. Times his runs out very nicely and stands up well.

All fair that LS, but it is the real lge2, or any lge, football world. The faultless player isn’t out there. I am old school, and for me Mark has earned, and deserves respect. A very good keeper.
The youtube is obviously only going to show “the best of.” That said, he might turn out to be the man for us. Time will tell.

[Westgate Wanderer]

New keeper probably brought in with an eye on the future. He is out of contract with Blackpool at the end of this season.

[Caton83]

I think DA is assembling his own squad and having a mini clear-out. In my opinion, Mafoumbi, will be our number 1, with the young lad being back-up. I can't see Halstead playing second fiddle for long, when he hasn't done a great deal wrong. I can see him being paid up and drifting back into non-league at the end of the season. It is a bit of a shame when initially Mark came in and did well, especially in ousting Baz, but as has been already said, he can make some unbelievable saves, can kick really well, but is prone to mistakes in the air, and with our fragile defence as it is, they need to be able to rely on the gk to do the basics well and at this moment in time, i don't think they can.
Hopefully DA gets it right

[marky No.1]

with our fragile defence as it is, they need to be able to rely on the gk to do the basics well and at this moment in timet

Baz did this and kept us up for quite a few seasons, too late for him to do it again

[redrobo]

I think DA is assembling his own squad and having a mini clear-out. In my opinion, Mafoumbi, will be our number 1, with the young lad being back-up. I can't see Halstead playing second fiddle for long, when he hasn't done a great deal wrong. I can see him being paid up and drifting back into non-league at the end of the season. It is a bit of a shame when initially Mark came in and did well, especially in ousting Baz, but as has been already said, he can make some unbelievable saves, can kick really well, but is prone to mistakes in the air, and with our fragile defence as it is, they need to be able to rely on the gk to do the basics well and at this moment in time, i don't think they can.
Hopefully DA gets it right

Wow...bit of a bold statement especially we haven't seen the new guy in a game yet.

Blackpool fans are mixed in their views but let's judge him ourselves before we make any predictions going forward.

For me Mark has done little wrong. Like all keepers at our level is prone to the odd mistake but maybe DA just wants his own people in as he rebuilds the squad. One thing it goes to show that not a single squad member can sit back and rely on reputations. They will be judge on merit....as it should be,

I don't happen to agree with DA on this one.... but DA is here to do a job.....simple as that.

IF he saves us from the horrors of non league then all the changes will have been worth it.

[BerlinWaller]

Earlier in the season, Mark was the better GK ahead of Baz. Age and injury had crept up on Baz which began to show. I like Mark but sometimes he does look a little dodgy and he isn't an organiser. If DA thinks he has brought in a better option then great, lets see how he does. Mark can't say he hasn't been given a fair crack of the whip.

[mrpotatohead]

There would have no need to bring in a keeper to challenge Mark if DA had confidence in him, he has stated that the shirt is up for grabs , he obviously hasn't.

[redrobo]

As seems likely we will get our first chance to judge the new 'keeper this coming Saturday. Let's hope that he doesn't fall at the first hurdle but proves that DA has once again been inspirational in this signing.

Just need a new striker sooner rather than later to take some of the pressure of Cole and the other remaining striker namely AJ.

[MfcChris]

Halstead didn't do too well, flapped at 2 of the goals it looks like from the highlights?