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Lucas loving his United No.1 battle
Patience is a virtue for goalkeepers who, like David Lucas, have no desire to play the role of a reservist.
Certain keepers are destined to remain permanently attached to the substitutes' bench – Ian Bennett played four times in his one season at Leeds United – but the opportunity given to Lucas by Gary McAllister is one he has craved.
Lucas signed for Leeds almost 12 months ago to the day. But his first year with the club comprised a mere eight appearances, despite his almost statutory presence in United's match-day squad.
For a time, the situation suited him. The severe cruciate knee injury he sustained a year-and-a-half earlier had raised credible doubts about the continuation of his career, and Lucas was content to prove to himself that his body could still cope with the daily routine of a professional footballer.
But that feeling of contentment could not last permanently.
Twice in his earlier years Lucas won promotion from England's third division, initially with Preston North End and latterly with Sheffield Wednesday, and the position of second-choice sat uncomfortably with him.
The 30-year-old has become a more-than-willing combatant in the straight fight for selection with Casper Ankergren, a battle which he moved ahead in last Saturday and is expected to win again before tomorrow's match between Leeds and Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road.
"I've been on the bench for so long and it does get to you after a bit," Lucas said. "It's tough just sitting there.
"It (being second choice) is a mindset I've never really been into, but because I came here after a bad injury and after finding my feet at Barnsley for six months I didn't have a great deal of football under my belt.
"It was a case of keeping my head down because I wasn't 100 per cent sure whether I could train day-in, day-out. I hadn't done it for a while. It was like proving to myself that I could play football again, and over a sustained period of time.
"Last season I was happy to stay fit and train every day, and not even think about my knee. But I've had a full pre-season and at the moment I'm feeling as good as I have done for the last two or three years.
"It came as a bit of surprise to get the nod on Saturday, but I'm really chuffed about it."
If the feeling of a first-team shirt is unusual for Lucas, the loss of one must be positively strange for Ankergren.
The Dane has been United's established keeper since moving to Leeds on loan from Brondby IF, and he was a player who McAllister and Dennis Wise – the manager who signed him permanently – were eminently happy to trust.
Ankergren missed three league games last season, placing himself as the barrier between Lucas and United's senior team, and he was predictably selected as first-choice keeper before the start of this term.
But the status quo was altered by a praiseworthy performance by Lucas and 10 other players in last month's Carling Cup game against Crystal Palace, eight of whom were allowed to retain their places for the 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers at Elland Road five days later.
The demotion of Ankergren was accepted as professionally as Lucas would have expected.
"We're probably as close as anyone at the club on a one-to-one basis," said Lucas. "We room together, and when we get the chance we meet up with our wives and spend a lot of time together.
"There's a saying in football that you don't really make friends, but Casper is a good friend.
"This is just football and we're old enough and ugly enough to know it's nothing personal.
"Against Palace it was a good team performance and the gaffer has a motto that he doesn't change a winning team.
"He was pleased with the way we played and with the tempo of the game, and he decided to chuck a curved ball by changing the entire team around.
"You always get your best form when you get a decent run of games, and confidence is a big thing for me. I've played three first-team games on the bounce now, probably for the first time since I did my knee in.
"Sometimes with injuries you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, because when you get told you're fit to train you think you're back to being perfect. But it doesn't work like that. That's when your mental toughness has to kick in.
"When I was at Sheffield Wednesday, we were in discussions about a new contract. Then I did my knee and that was forgotten about. But whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and I'm determined to enjoy this little spell and make the most of it."
Given how close his career sailed to the wind, it is funny to hear Lucas talk about the possibility of playing for another five or six seasons, encouraged by the sustainability of David James who reached his 38th birthday last month and is still worth a place inside Portsmouth's squad and within the Premier League. Even Fabio Capello appears to be still interested.
Lucas' contract with Leeds is a short-term deal, running until the end of this season, but the idea of playing in a higher division should United add their name to the Championship's roster next season does not trouble him.
"To be honest, with goalkeepers you play against the ball," he said.
"You don't pit your wits physically against another opponent and what you do in training each week, no matter what level you're playing at, is the same sort of thing whether you're in the Premier League or the Blue Square Premier. Goalkeeping is an art in itself.
"You've got people like David James who are going on until they're touching 40, so I think if you stay away from the pubs and the pies then you can go on until you're at least 35 or 36. I hope I can."
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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