Oxford United boss ponders goalkeeping poser

9:10am Thursday 12th April 2012 in Oxford Utd

Ryan Clarke Ryan Clarke

Chris Wilder will consider naming a substitute goalkeeper in Oxford United’s squad for the rest of the season after Ryan Clarke picked up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Torquay United.

United’s No 1 took a blow to the ribs in the second half, which meant he was unable to take goal kicks, and the normally reliable stopper made a rare error in conceding a 90th-minute equaliser.

Whether the rib injury was a contributory factor to palming in Taiwo Atieno’s shot was unclear, but Wilder admitted it was a save he expected Clarke to make 99 times out of 100.

The U’s boss prefers to name five outfield players on the bench to increase his options, so was unable to replace Clarke, but will now look at reviewing the policy during the run-in.

He said: “Clarkey’s not missed any games this season, whether that’s something we need to look at between now and the end of the season (we’ll see), but we wanted to go and win the game.

“We’re at home, we’re on the front foot and we need to go and win games.

“For us to name Scotty (Rendell), Oli (Johnson) and JP (Pittman) was a bold move, you don’t expect your goalkeeper who has played that many games for you over the last two or three years to get injured.”

Clarke has been phenomenally reliable since joining United, making 143 starts in less than three seasons.

The 29-year-old will be assessed to see if the injury will keep him out of this Saturday’s home game against Gillingham.

Wayne Brown will deputise if Clarke is unable to play, having made just two appearances in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy this season, while teenager Max Crocombe would be in line for a place on the bench.

It would be far from ideal preparation for another massive encounter, with the U’s desperate for a win to stay in the npower League Two play-off places after going three games without a victory.

Comments (8)

9:51am Thu 12 Apr 12

Oxford Male says...

...you don’t expect your goalkeeper who has played that many games for you over the last two or three years to get injured.”

But goalkeeper is a vital position & goalkeepers get sent off quite regularly. And is it really necessary to have three strikers on the bench. Very unlikely they will all be brought on.
...you don’t expect your goalkeeper who has played that many games for you over the last two or three years to get injured.” But goalkeeper is a vital position & goalkeepers get sent off quite regularly. And is it really necessary to have three strikers on the bench. Very unlikely they will all be brought on. Oxford Male

11:06am Thu 12 Apr 12

gnash21 says...

I agree but Wayne Brown is not a good keeper. Not saying I could do a better job but Brown is taking up wage money that we could have used on a better younger keeper to challenge Clakey and push him to make sure they are playing 100% or they will lose there place.
I agree but Wayne Brown is not a good keeper. Not saying I could do a better job but Brown is taking up wage money that we could have used on a better younger keeper to challenge Clakey and push him to make sure they are playing 100% or they will lose there place. gnash21

12:00pm Thu 12 Apr 12

Mikel78 says...

Brown is no good? And your opinion is based on.....

He is an established goalkeeper at this level, has a vast amount of experience, and was the regular keeper at Bury when CW was there. He won the player of the season award at Hereford a couple of seasons ago too. He is also a goalkeeping coach at the club, and was happy to be backup when he signed. You won't get many keepers if his calibre and experience willing to do the same...
Brown is no good? And your opinion is based on..... He is an established goalkeeper at this level, has a vast amount of experience, and was the regular keeper at Bury when CW was there. He won the player of the season award at Hereford a couple of seasons ago too. He is also a goalkeeping coach at the club, and was happy to be backup when he signed. You won't get many keepers if his calibre and experience willing to do the same... Mikel78

4:13pm Thu 12 Apr 12

CamView says...

Mikel78 - well said. He is good cover.
Mikel78 - well said. He is good cover. CamView

4:39pm Thu 12 Apr 12

dave from witney says...

Brown is a good keeper, he looked good when he appeared for the reserves and was unlucky with his dismisal at Aldershot. Coupled with that he is proven at this level, probably his experience has rubbed off on Clarke and young Crocombe. Surely it's no coincidence that Clarke has been better this year than last when he only had Eastwood pushing him
Brown is a good keeper, he looked good when he appeared for the reserves and was unlucky with his dismisal at Aldershot. Coupled with that he is proven at this level, probably his experience has rubbed off on Clarke and young Crocombe. Surely it's no coincidence that Clarke has been better this year than last when he only had Eastwood pushing him dave from witney

4:50pm Thu 12 Apr 12

gnash21 says...

Mikel78 wrote:
Brown is no good? And your opinion is based on.....

He is an established goalkeeper at this level, has a vast amount of experience, and was the regular keeper at Bury when CW was there. He won the player of the season award at Hereford a couple of seasons ago too. He is also a goalkeeping coach at the club, and was happy to be backup when he signed. You won't get many keepers if his calibre and experience willing to do the same...
But how can someone of this experience forget you can't pick the ball up outside of the area. That was stupid! Everytime I have seen him I think he has been pretty poor. Each to there own. I would rather a younger keeper that we might be able to keep for a few years rather then getting old people in to do one or 2 years look other clubs they buy young talent even in this league. We don't that much.
[quote][p][bold]Mikel78[/bold] wrote: Brown is no good? And your opinion is based on..... He is an established goalkeeper at this level, has a vast amount of experience, and was the regular keeper at Bury when CW was there. He won the player of the season award at Hereford a couple of seasons ago too. He is also a goalkeeping coach at the club, and was happy to be backup when he signed. You won't get many keepers if his calibre and experience willing to do the same...[/p][/quote]But how can someone of this experience forget you can't pick the ball up outside of the area. That was stupid! Everytime I have seen him I think he has been pretty poor. Each to there own. I would rather a younger keeper that we might be able to keep for a few years rather then getting old people in to do one or 2 years look other clubs they buy young talent even in this league. We don't that much. gnash21

11:21pm Thu 12 Apr 12

Oxfordtyphoon says...

Been informed tonight that Clarke will be out for 7-8 weeks!!!
Been informed tonight that Clarke will be out for 7-8 weeks!!! Oxfordtyphoon

12:20am Fri 13 Apr 12

oxy123 says...

where did you hear this?
where did you hear this? oxy123

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