Who will turn out to be the Hereford No.1 keeper? At the moment it seems to be a curious tale of two keepers.
Aaron Chapman joined Hereford last summer as our goalkeeper. He clearly had the size to be a keeper, being the tallest performer ever to join an Edgar Street club. He had the pedigree too with his 200 EFL games behind him. My eyebrows were raised by his Yorkshire base but told myself as a pro baller, he was used to travelling and he was willing to travel to be a no 1 No 1, not a short-term stand-in. Its fair to say that his performances haven’t met with universal approval yet its hard to define what doesn’t impress. He’s saved two out of two penalties (albeit one was in a friendly) unlike his predecessor who never got close to any that he faced. There’s no obvious communication problem with his defence, again unlike his predecessor. He “doesn’t move around much” seems to be the most common criticism which isn’t really that damming.
And yet, Chappers is fit after his injury and is now second choice behind extended loanee Tom Donaghy. As we know, our temporary custodian is 21 and with Fleetwood for the last four years. I’d assumed that Donaghy was deemed still “up and coming” at the Cods with the understanding that goalies mature later. Actually, he isn’t. He’s third probably fourth choice ‘keeper at Fleetwood. Essentially, he’s surplus to requirements and, I believe, will be the only Cod keeper out of contract next summer. Given his clubs perilous balance sheet and not being fully clear of the drop zone, it’s hard to see any way that Donaghy will get another contract with the club. Aged 21 with one first team game behind him? Not going to happen.
We have a symbiotic short term mutual benefit. Caddis wants something that Donaghy offers that Chapman doesn’t (whatever that may be.. hopefully not just an ability to kick a ball consistently further) while the young goalkeeper feels a need to prove himself and beef up his CV with a credible football club. To do so, he’s willing to put in the very long miles. Assuming he lives in the Fleetwood/ Lytham/Blackpool area (Fleetwood own a hotel on the Blackpool seafront) then he’s got 3.5 hours travel one way for a home game. He may be car sharing and even hotel sharing with our Gaffer who lives nearby.
But longer term? His parent club presumably pay the bulk of his wages and offer better medical support. Once that stops, the young keeper will want a full-time job elsewhere. Part time will be his last resort and its very unlikely continued work in Herefordshire is feasible for him.
So, it’s a bit of a dilemma. Who will retain the regular keepers slot? Will competition for the position actually enhance the keepers’ performances?
Simon Wright
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