Monday 24 March 2014

Kirkland making the most of his chance

After being deposed by loan signee Damien Martinez, it looks like Chris Kirkland is 'back in the frame'. The ex-Wigan goalkeeper who was in the running for full England involvement in his era, along with Paul Robinson and Scott Carson, but struggled with consistency and the ability to stay fit due to long term back problems, looks like he is reasserting himself with his new club after making the switch from the Premier league not so long ago. And having earnt his chance to build up regular game time with back to back games starting as first choice goalkeeper, the loan deal for Arsenal's highly touted goalkeeping prospect seems like another strange one.

Although Martinez has been in sparkling form, and with Wednesday not having the overall talent or team spirit and strength to be looking to do real damage to the league table, it still leaves goalie analysts scratching heads. Because of the deal being short term and the back four having to get used to changing goalkeepers (and the problems it causes in knowing where the goalkeeper is, communication, confidence etc. game in game out), and Kirkland regaining his confidence and form, it seems a bit puzzling. Kirkland is their goalkeeper for the longer term, and Martinez is more likely to end up back with Arsenal after the summer, due to Fabianski wanting out, so for him the move is useful for getting game experience, but for the club, it has not been a massive impact, and with the return of Kirkland, seems to have been a gamble that has paid off, but not the extent fans and team mates might have expected or wanted.

No comments:

Post a Comment