Coleman Looks For Ambition Less Second Keeper

Last updated : 13 March 2009 By Covsupport News Service
Coventry City manager Chris Coleman is looking for a new keeper that is willing only to get matches when first choice custodian Keiren Westwood is unavailable.

With Andy Marshall being released, the City boss told the CT: "Westy doesn't miss games because he is young, fit and agile. He played three season for Carlisle United and never missed games so if Dimi is coming back from loan then I am not looking to sign a number two unless the wheels come off with Keiren.

"I believe he is the best goalie outside the Premier League so I am looking for a number two to come in.

"Keiren doesn't have a bad time - he might have one in fifteen - so I don't want a number two to give me a problem by saying 'I should be in the team'. Unless you get a good keeper from the Premier League, they are not going to play ahead of Keiren.




"So I need someone to understand the situation, just like Andy Marshall did which was perfect for the morale of the team. Anyone on the bench is going to be there unless Keiren is injured. That is going to be hard for Keiren who has got to keep his stardards up but he's a very good keeper."

One of the reasons that Dimi Konstantopolous, who has a year left on his contract, is out on loan at Cardiff City,is that he wanted regular football. Again, City will not have a reserve team in a league next season and there will probably not be more than a dozen friendly reserve matches for any keeper to get in any serious match practice.

One spat about not getting regular football when Chris Coleman was appointed as manager saw Dimi loaned to Nottingham Forest where he was injured on his first day and this season, the Greek keeper has been at Swansea City for three months before moving down the South Wales coast to Cardiff.

Said Chris Coleman: "Dimi might think he wants to be a number one somewhere which is fine.




"If that happens, we will maybe look for another young one as well because we have got Danny Ireland who has shown some good signs but needs to go out and get experience.

"Danny needs to go and play games somewhere before he can be on the bench for us and he needs to drop down a few levels and then climb. But he has the potential but needs that experience first."