Goalkeeping battle hots up for Bully
Stafford manager Steve Bull has a welcome battle on his hands as Tim Sandercombe and Danny Alcock slug it out for the goalkeeper's jersey at Marston Road.
Stafford manager Steve Bull has a welcome battle on his hands as Tim Sandercombe and Danny Alcock slug it out for the goalkeeper's jersey at Marston Road.
Bully sprung a surprise in Tuesday's Setanta Shield tie against Southport by handing a recall to Alcock, who had warmed the bench the previous Saturday against Redditch.
It was his first involvement of any sort after 10 games out with a dislocated elbow.
When he intially suffered the injury, in came former Notts County shotstopper Sandercombe to fill the breach as a new signing and he went on to keep five sheets in his 11 games.
Despite his decent record, the Rangers' 'player of the season' last term started the 2-1 midweek defeat, with Sandercombe dropped.
The Stafford manager admits the ousted keeper may feel slightly hard done to, but wants him to respond in the right way.
Bull said: "Danny came in and did well, so hopefully he will go from strength to strength now. As for Tim, he has to fight for his place now. I told him to keep his head up and try to force his way back in. I don't want him sulking around the ground.
"We know Danny is a class player and Tim knows what is required to get back into the side. It's great for the club, having these two great goalkeepers and also having a good prospect like Danny Allen in reserve.
"The goalkeeping competiton is hotting up."
Bully also started Jimmy Phillips on the right wing for the first time and the on-loan Stoke attacker responded with a fine solo goal.
It could well be that the youngster has found his calling in the Rangers side, according to the boss.
He said: "Jimmy has been in and out of the team recently but he was excellent against Southport. He tore their left-back to shreds. It was his best performance since he came here.
"We may have found his best position. He has the skills to hurt teams, so from the wings may be ideal for him."
One frustration for the Rangers boss is his contuning search for a new striker, with a wasted trip to Birmingham's Wast Hills training ground typical of the current situation.
He said: "There were a couple of good players for Wolves but they are people on the fringes of the first team, hence on mega bucks. As for Birmingham, I spoke to their manager Alex McLeish after the game.
"He told me he only really had 16 and 17 year old lads that would be suitable, but for me they were nothing better than we already have."
