WHAT HAS HE GOT?

THIS young goalkeeper is getting the opportunity of playing regular league football on loan at Blackpool. The experience can only be to his advantage. In the competitive arena of League One he will toughen up by facing aerial challenges with big powerful strikers and realising the difference between academy football with the greater emphasis on results. I liked his positioning, always keeping a sensible distance in relation to his last defender when the opposition gained possession. He was always available for the back-pass and can use his feet to distribute wide or centrally, and has the ability to build the play with short, accurate passes. It was not just his shot-stopping that was impressive, but he threw out a strong left hand to stop a fierce cross-shot from around 16 yards and then dived to palm away another goal-bound shot from an onrushing forward. He positioned himself well to grab a low cross and then tipped a looping deflection over the bar.