Between the sticks

Blackpool currently has just one senior goalkeeper on its books - Paul Rachubka. The American born stopper has been a virtual ever present since he signed for the club in January last year. Is that because of outstanding displays or a lack of quality competition?

Rachubka made 49 starts for Pool last term and was undoubtedly Simon Grayson`s number one. He started the season ahead of Rhys Evans, who eventually moved to Millwall in January. Chubs` then kept out loan players Paul Gerrard and Scott Flinders to retain his place.

Chubs` had a very good season in goal with shot stopping being his strong point, as emphasised in the vital win against Sheffield Wednesday and the final day draw with Watford. The keeper`s most disappointing moment came early in the season when he let a James Beattie effort slip through his hands to gift Sheffield United a point in the last minute.

There`s no doubt there was a lack of serious competition for the goalkeeper jersey. Loan players come and go and so Chubs` position was rarely under threat. This must change and so Larry will be on the look out for a quality keeper to really challenge Rachubka for the number one spot.

In the recent past there has been some good and some bad goalkeeper`s at Bloomfield Road. Lee Jones and Phil Barnes were both excellent servants to the club and together their appearances for Pool exceeded the 250 mark.

There have been some flops along the way too. Michael Theoklitos and Sasa Ilic anyone?

I would like to see the manager sign another keeper on a permanent deal to create serious competition between the sticks. There has been talk of a loan move for Liverpool`s David Martin but little else in the goalkeeping department. Let`s hope Larry has someone lined up to really challenge our best number one for years.

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