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Leeds United: The intriguing first choice goalkeeper debate rumbles on
Simon Grayson expected a dilemma over which of his goalkeepers to pit against Derby County next week, but the Leeds United manager did not foresee the delicate nature of the decision which awaits him.
Grayson believed he would have two strong alternatives to choose from at Pride Park, with Andy Lonergan fit again and Alex McCarthy’s claim to selection supported by a strong first month on loan at Leeds. But Lonergan’s brutal self-analysis after Saturday’s defeat to Reading cast doubt on his place in United’s team.
Opinion was divided over whether the 28-year-old was entirely to blame for Reading’s winning goal, scored by Simon Church with a second-minute lob, and Lonergan defended himself in that instance but he was scathing about his influence on the Championship game as a whole. He described himself as “poor” while admitting he had no expectation of receiving the nod from Grayson at Derby on Boxing Day.
Lonergan’s kicking on Saturday was unusually wayward but his display did not stand out as particularly weak. From United’s perspective, a miserable afternoon did few of their players credit. No effort was made to pin the blame to Lonergan after a collectively mediocre performance which ended in a fourth home loss.
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The outing was his first for two months and his first since undergoing surgery to repair a broken finger. In the interim he saw Paul Rachubka implode and McCarthy impress – impress so much that Grayson moved to extend his loan from Reading last week.
The 22-year-old was ineligible against his parent club but, like Lonergan and Maik Taylor, is available for selection at Derby.
That McCarthy signed on an emergency basis and Lonergan holds a three-year contract at Elland Road seemed to answer the question of which keeper Grayson would rely on in the weeks ahead but Lonergan’s damning comments in the aftermath of Saturday’s match could open the door for McCarthy again.
A poll on the YEP’s website about which player should start at Pride Park produced a near 50-50 split.
Lonergan was one of United’s more convincing performers in the early months of the season, and the former Preston North End captain said: “It’s been a frustrating time for me. I started well and I feel like I’ve got to get back to that level now.
“The only way I’m going to get there is by playing on a Saturday. It’s not something that just comes back to you quickly. I was happy with my form at the start of the season but that comes with the confidence of playing.”
Grayson is unlikely to take a final decision on whether to put his faith in Lonergan or McCarthy until later this week, but former United captain Dominic Matteo, who watched Saturday’s defeat at Elland Road, urged the Leeds boss to give Lonergan another chance against Derby.
“For me he was the club’s best player before his injury,” Matteo said. “We all saw what a good keeper he was.
“His comments on Saturday were strange because I really didn’t think he was that bad.
“He might take some of the blame for the goal but that happens with every keeper.
“It’s not like he’s got a track record of making mistakes and it doesn’t surprise me that much if he’s a bit rusty. You’re never 100 per cent when you’ve been out for as long as he has.
“I hope Simon Grayson sticks by him because, at the end of the day, he was clearly first-choice before his injury and he’s under contract at Leeds.
“He’s Leeds United’s player. They need to get him back to the standard he was at before because I can’t think of anyone who was better than him at the start of the season.
“But it’s very odd to hear a player be so critical of himself. You expect them to be honest about the way they’ve played but I thought he was too hard on himself.
“It’s really for the manager to decide who’s right to play and this might put a bit of doubt in (Grayson’s) mind.”
Lonergan made his comeback on Saturday after two appearances in reserve-team fixtures, the second against Bradford City four days before Reading’s visit to Elland Road.
Neither United nor Reading found chances easy to come by and, having been beaten by Church in the opening stages of the game, Lonergan prevented a second goal midway through the first half with a low save from Jobi McAnuff.
But he refused to find any solace in his performance, claiming his contribution was unlikely to be good enough to keep him ahead of McCarthy in the pecking order. “Someone else has come in and done well so fair play to him,” Lonergan said.
McCarthy played six times while Lonergan was recovering from injury, keeping three clean sheets and helping United collect 13 points and Grayson suggested last week that he did not consider Lonergan’s selection at Pride Park to be a formality.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Reading, Grayson said: “If Lonergan plays really well – and I expect him to play really well to be fair – then I’ll have a decision to make when we play Derby on Boxing Day.
“Alex’s form makes it interesting and the situation is something to debate over the next couple of weeks.
“The question of who’s number one and number two will be decided come kick-off on Boxing Day.”
Lonergan has spoken in the past about the reality of competing for one position – “I’ve always had a friendly relationship with the keepers I’ve worked with,” he said after signing for Leeds. “There’s no point in getting at each other.” – and he insisted that McCarthy or Taylor would get his “full backing” if either player was chosen to start against Derby on Monday.
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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Comments
There are 8 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
original koppite
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 01:54 PMIt has to be whoever SG opts for, after all he knows more than any of us.
nelson10.LUFC
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 09:57 AMHast to be Lonergan. Simple. His kicking was all over the place and he had one moment of hesitation last week however I felt he didn't do that bad....his back four, once again, didn't help him much for the goal. He'll play and he'll play well.
dd12311
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 08:54 AMWot a stupid debate mcarthy wil b gone in fw weeks unless e turns out to be in our price range,,(4 nowt)
liam8282
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 09:42 PMLonergan is our No 1, Grayson usually shows unwavering loyalty to certain players, even when they don't perform. A bit of that same loyalty should be shown to Lonergan now. He is obviously a bit down with himself at the moment, and needs picking up. I don't know why, because he has hardly done a thing wrong since he joined. Selecting a loan player who is third choice at their parent club ahead of him will not help matters. Morale and team spirit seems to be low at the moment, and quite infectious spreading from player to player. Us the fans are looking forward to January because of all the anticipated comings and goings, perhaps the players are dreading it for the same reason?
OzTyke
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 07:43 PMBoth good lads, I wish we had Alex but we don't, so chin up Andy, stick your chest out and get out there. Do yourself and Leeds United proud, like you have done in the past and will continue to do for many years I hope. MOT
jjlaca
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 05:46 PMNeed to show faith in our player, however good the loanee has been. The revolving door of players in and out has to slow down if this club ever wants to build itself up to where we used to be and where we ought to be. The size and quality of our fanbase deserves it, if only the ownership could come close to matching it.
pattaya tyke
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 05:18 PMIt has to be Lonergan. McCarthy is not staying so why give him match practice. Lonergan though has had his troubles, towards the end of his time at P.N.E. he had the reputation of being a good shot-stopper, but a flapper at crosses. Apparently Preston turned down an offer of £1.3m two or three years ago, but were quite happy to pass him on to United last summer. I hope that is all behind him and that he continues his good form of this season.
WhiteMagic
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 04:59 PMhaha...they even look like brothers...perhaps separrated at birth!
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