Buckley Wants Goalkeeper Competition

Buckley has always worked with two goalkeepers when in charge of a club, going back to the days of Steve Sherwood and Paul Reece right through to the end of his second spell when Danny Coyne was kept on his toes by Steve Croudson.

In recent years and with tougher wage constraints, Town have operated with just one senior stopper and a younger backup plan, last season Robert Murray.

That looks all set to change this summer with Buckley desperate to add another goalkeeper to his ranks, despite Phil Barnes strong finish to the season.

‘Barnesy had his ups and downs last year like the rest of the team did,’ Buckley told the Grimsby Telegraph.

‘But he finished the season strongly and that was pleasing for me.

‘While I have options in every other department though, I don’t have that in goal at the moment.

‘Sometimes you want to freshen things up but I didn’t really have that last season if I wanted to.

‘I am used to working with two keepers – that has always been my way at Grimsby.

‘They can keep up the pressure on each other and fight for a place and that keeps both on their toes.

‘Barnesy hasn’t really had anyone pushing him and that would help him in my opinion.’

Buckley admitted he’s got a few potential stoppers in the frame with stability amongst the back five high on his wanted list for the new season.

‘It is certainly at the top of my list and I have already spoken to three goalkeepers about a possible move,’ he added.

‘Things are a long way off yet but I’m sure we will get sorted.

‘To have two to choose from gives me the option and could, I think, bring out the best in Barnsey as well.

‘If we get more consistency across the whole of the back-line, we can reduce the number of goals that we conceded last season