Flat out to put things right

ATHLETIC goalkeeper Paul’s exclusive weekly Chronicle column

THE END product wasn’t quite there at Preston and it’s a real source of frustration.

None of us wants to be near the bottom of the table. But things can change quickly with three points and a good result will see us being talked about positively again.

Preston is one of the most difficult places to go to in the division. We did enough there to force them into making changes to combat what we were doing in the second half. But that isn’t something we should pat ourselves on the back about.

If we are not winning then people are entitled to ask why. While we are playing well at times in games, there is undoubtedly work to do.

That’s what we have been getting stuck into on the training ground this week. The players have come together as a group and while we all know we need more goals, it’s not just the responsibility of the strikers to score. As a goalkeeper, I’m the last line of defence and also the first line of attack.

We have tweaked things slightly and there’s no reason why we can’t go to Doncaster and get that first victory of the season.

I saw the rumour earlier this week about Paddy Kenny. The truth is that with goalkeepers at this level, your competition doesn’t necessarily come from within the club. There are plenty of out-of-contract goalkeepers; far more than there are teams.

The competition is always there and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m always wanting to learn and improve and that’s the way it has to be for all positions on the field.