December 2021

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has backed his goalkeeper Grant Smith for criticising referee Scott Jackson‘s decision to red card Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in the Boxing Day defeat at Torquay United.

Darren Sarll
Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz,.

The dismissal after 64 minutes at Plainmoor has been overturned following an appeal meaning the on-loan Watford forward will be available for Sunday’s rematch with Gary Johnson’s side on Sunday.

But, Smith, who also saw red for “foul and abusive language” after the final whistle, is banned for the Gulls’ game and the FA Cup third round tie with AFC Bournemouth with Sarll looking to bring in a loan keeper for both matches.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, the manager said: “I don’t put too much blame on the referee, he went with his assistant he used his team in the same way I use Terry (Skiverton, assistant manager) when I am making decisions.

“He used his team and got it horrendously wrong and it cost us three points. The biggest disappointment I have with that is when you look at the subsequent dismissal of Grant Smith, he is probably right.

“If players perform badly in my dressing room they get told, all Grant Smith did was tell (the referee) he did not perform very well.

“Unfortunately because of the ego-centric behaviour, we lose a really important player in Grant Smith.”

Listeners of the Gloverscast podcast were the first to hear the news that Lo-Everton’s appeal had been successful – well, after followers of our Twitter and Facebook channels, of course. Having the only person in Britain who can make the FA’s website work (in Ben Barrett) paid dividends there.

The boss admitted the dismissal of Lo-Everton for dangling a foot at Torquay’s Tom Lapslie was petulant from the 19-year-old.

He said: “My disappointment was that Sonny was pivotal to our improvement in the opening stages of the second half and when he gave the referee a decision.

“It was petulance, people are like that in your 30s, it’s an emotional decision, nothing to do with your age. “

In other news at this week’s press conference, the manager said…..

  • His decision to look to bring a keeper in on loan for the next two fixtures was not a reflection on the ability of his back-up keeper Max Evans.
    The manager said he was speaking with Premier League, Championship and League One clubs about getting in a stand-in stopper during Grant Smith’s absence.
    Of Evans, he said: “You can do more harm than good with these young players when they are thrown in at thew wrong time.
    “We had a plan for Max this year and we will stick to that plan, so we will look to add to the team with the loan market.
    “That is no disrespect to Max, the plan for Max was to try and build him through a certain type of game and a certain type of experience.”
    Following our Gloversblog post weighing up the two options, supporters on our Twitter channel voted 73% in favour of giving Evans the gloves on Sunday.
  • Injury victims defender Mark Little and striker Joe Quigley could both be back involved in for the weekend – and if they’re not, they’re certain to be involved in next weekend’s FA Cup tie with AFC Bournemouth.
    Joe Quigley, who is top-scorer with six goals so far this season.
    Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

    The manager said Quigley had only trained for “three or four days” but was looking “surprisingly strong” considering, and said Little was “very close” having picked up an injury in pre-season.
    Sarll said: “That latest I would see Mark being involved is the FA Cup, so he could involved Sunday and Joe could be as well.
    “Joe has had less time training but he’s been very strong, he looks like he’s in a race to get back.”

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Darren Sarll is hoping he can keep two of his three loanees – defenders Dan Moss and Jack Robinson and forward Sonny Blu Lo-Everton – for longer stays at Huish Parl

But, the Yeovil Town boss does not believe he will be able to keep hold of all three whose current deals are all up for renewal in January.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s home game with Torquay United, the manager said: “I don’t think we will keep them all, but I think we will keep the majority.

“When we look at the long-term loans – Sonny, Jack Robinson and Mossy – if we keep two out of three, I’ll be delighted.

“I think they have done too well (to not be noticed by other clubs) and when they do that they want to jump up and play higher.”

He added: “Financially we have nicked these lads we have given them an opportunity to create a profile and they have done a brilliant job.

“I would love them to stay but we are in the lap of the Gods. I would like to not do anything in January and just keep everyone, but it doesn’t work like that!”

Robinson’s loan from Championship Middlesbrough is due to expire on January 10 with Sonny’s from Watford running out on January 16, and finally Dan Moss’ stay from Millwall on January 24.

The “Gods” which Sarll refers too could well mean the COVID situation at their parent clubs with Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder admitting he has lost nine first-team players in a 48-hour period – seven of which would have started tomorrow against Sheffield United.

Late on Friday, the match with one of Wilder’s former club was postponed with Boro saying it was in “an impossible situation regarding available players.”

Ahead of that decision, Wilder said that the EFL had told him to “do whatever is needed to get the game on” including bring back loan players.

Jack Robinson in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Wilder name-checked former Glovers’ loanee Lewis Wing at Sheffield Wednesday and “a young boy at Kilmarnock” – which could be goalkeeper Zach Hemming or striker Rumarn Burrell – but there was no specific reference to Robinson, who was with the Yeovil squad for the defeat at Torquay on Boxing Day.

Robinson had played once for his parent club this season in a 3-0 EFL Cup defeat at Blackpool but was awarded a new contract in the summer.

The 20-year-old has not featured since picking up an ankle injury in the 5-0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round win at Yate Town at the start of number, but has played eight times since joining on the eve of the new season.

As far as Dan Moss and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton are concerned, Millwall played their game on Wednesday with just 15 players due to COVID issues, whilst Watford postponed their Boxing Day match with Wolves before going ahead with the home game against West Ham on December 29.

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Captain Luke Wilkinson has said he wants to stay at Yeovil Town beyond the end of his contract which expires in the summer.

The centre half, who was born in Wells, is in his third season at Huish Park and told the Gloverscast‘s Ian Perkins that he had “loved every minute” of his time with the club.

Luke Wilkinson wins a header.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s home match with Torquay United, Wilko said: “For me, it’s about playing as well as I can each week, I am out of contract (at the end of the season) so I want to get something sorted.

“I am just trying to perform as best as I can for the club and try and push on and be up and around it and you never know what is going to happen.”

Asked about his future plans, he added: “I have loved every minute of my two-and-a-half years here, it’s been brilliant, I love the place, I am local to the area, so if Yeovil decided they wanted to offer me something I would love to.”

The 31-year-old admitted the Glovers dipped below the standards they had set themselves in the past couple of months as they collapsed to a 3-0 defeat at Torquay on Boxing Day.

The postponement of the derby with W*ymouth on December 28 due to COVID-19 in the opposition camp denied them an opportunity to bounce immediately back, but Wilkinson said training had been “intense” this week.

He said: “For us it’s just the next game, that is what’s been drummed in to us t, we were disappointed with Boxing Day and we will look to put it right, it just happens to be Torquay again.“

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As we close out 2021, I just wanted to write a thank you to everyone who’s supported the Gloverscast on our journey this year.

It’s been a hell of a year for us as Yeovil Town supporters, whether it’s the ongoing takeover saga, trying to get answers out of an absentee owner or the deeply tragic passing of Lee Collins, as supporters of our beloved club it feels like we have all been through the ringer this year.

In April, myself, Ben and Dave decided we’d make the Gloverscast more than a bi-weekly podcast of us talking nonsense. We missed Ciderspace. We missed proper, dedicated coverage of Yeovil Town FC. We felt we could (and needed to) do something to start informing supporters again in a responsible, formal way. 

The response has been phenomenal, and validates the time and energy we put into the Gloverscast outside of our day jobs.

So, I want to say a thank you to the readers, listeners, commenters, question-askers, clickers and trolls (you know who you are) for helping us grow the website, podcast and social media pages. We couldn’t do it without your support.

I’d also like to thank:

Everyone who’s contributed to an episode this year, Tim Lancaster and Hugh for their fantastic chat about Badger, Will Ranner, Marcus Duncomb, Elliot Watts, Jimmer, Dave Prior, Sheridan Robins, Sam Collard.

The current and former players who’ve lent their time to us this year to talk about their time playing for the club we all love.

All the quizzers – our listeners love the quiz and without you folks stepping up to take a shot it wouldn’t be a thing. Thank you for putting yourself up for public embarrassment. As many of you have discovered, it’s a lot easier when you’re listening than when you’re on it!

The Historical Oracle, Nigel Dyson, for his brain-melting spreadsheets.

Chris Angulo for his weekly Throwback Thursdays. I’ve got to say I’ve loved reading his take on moments from our past and the time and effort he puts into it.

Mike Kunz for letting us use his photography from Huish Park this season and previous seasons. Thanks Mike!

Huish Hugh for bringing back the Ciderspace Away Travel Guides and providing travelling supporters with everything they need when hitting the road.

Dave for transcribing Darren Sarll interviews inhumanely speedily (I’m certain there’s some sort of AI in there) and for carrying most of the news without even skipping a beat. And being willing to be dragged on this journey.

Ben for his unwavering(ish) optimism and positivity which has dragged me through plenty of miserable spells in 2021, and pissing off a few Stockport and Wrexham fans with his typical BBC-bias commentaries.

Thanks again for supporting us, here’s to a smashing 2022.

Come on you Glovers!

Ian

Shhhh, don’t tell Ian, but Dave and Ben just wanted to hijack the end of this article to thank IAN for all his hard work.

The Gloverscast is his brain child and he just dragged us a long for the ride.

His help, support and guidance as to what he wanted all this *grand gesture* to look like is why you see the finished product as you do.

That means, editing, tweaking, asking questions, freedom of information requests, recording at 8am or 8pm to suit our (my) schedule – a whole bunch of stuff our readers and listeners don’t actually see.

The Gloverscast is something special for Yeovil fans, and we just wanted to add our thank to Ian for making it all happen,

Cheers, Ben and Dave.

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On the final day of 2021, we have the final podcast of 2021.

Elliot Watts joins Ian, Ben and Dave (the headliner) to discuss what happened against Torquay, what is going to happen against Torquay and a load more.

Stick around, the quiz is on the end!

Thanks for listening!

Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news from Huish Park.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, enjoy some retro content on Instagram. Leave us a review and share the pod with a pal.

WANT TO ADVERTISE ON THE GLOVERSCAST? Send us an email for our rate card.

If you want to take part in the quiz, have an idea for the website or just want to send us a message, email ian@gloverscast.co.uk

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Yeovil Town 2 Millwall 0 – Friday 10th April 2009

Yeovil legend Terry Skiverton’s first taste of management was something of a trial by fire when Russell Slade suddenly left the club in February 2009. Slade’s Assistant Manager Steve Thompson initially took charge of the team as he had done following the departures of Colin Lippiatt in 1999, David Webb in 2000 and Gary Johnson in 2005 – and being given the ‘permanent’ job on two of those occasions – but following a 3-0 drubbing at Bristol Rovers in his first game, he was relieved of his duties and Skiverton was promoted to Player/Manager.

Russell Slade had perhaps been a victim of his own success – with reputedly the lowest budget in the division, arguably the 2006/07 playoff campaign came as a surprise to absolutely everyone. Following the trip to Wembley though, expectations increased but Slade’s two subsequent seasons were more of a struggle. It was perhaps true of Slade’s Yeovil that when Plan A didn’t work – keep it tight, nick a goal – there wasn’t really a Plan B, and they could be very pedestrian coming forward. In both 2007/08 and 2008/09, Yeovil were comfortably the lowest scoring team in League One, with 38 and 41 goals from a 46-game season. The problem was, after being successful, opposition teams became cautious against Yeovil and were more difficult to break down.

With only one win in the first ten games of 2008/09, the Glovers were hovering around the relegation zone after a disappointing 07/08 which had seen them win only four games in the second half of the season, and the manager’s job was on the line. Despite a run of four wins in a row including 3-1 away at promotion-chasing Peterborough, Slade was sacked in February. It was in at the deep end for Skiverton, with only three points gained from his first eight games including a 5-0 defeat by Slade’s new club, Brighton. He eventually steadied the ship though, bringing in a trio of loanees from Spurs in the form of Jonathan Obika, Andros Townsend and Danny Hutchins, as well as Chris Weale on loan from Bristol City. These new signings gave the team some much needed youth and energy; three of the four made their debuts in the 0-0 draw against MK Dons, which began an unbeaten run of 11 points from five games. The team which had shipped 19 goals in seven games since Slade’s departure, suddenly notched up five clean sheets in a row, culminating in this impressive 2-0 win over Millwall which took them up to 16th. Chris Weale memorably scored in injury time against old rivals Hereford to secure a 2-2 draw and pass the 50 point mark which would see the Glovers safe.

As manager, Skiverton was immediately able to address the most obvious problem, the lack of goals. His team scored 55 in 2009/10 and 56 in 2010/11, without conceding more than Slade’s team had done. He brought in very decent League One strikers such as Dean Bowditch and Andy Williams, as well as Kieran Agard, who while not the biggest star for Yeovil, would go on to prove his quality by scoring 20 goals in a season for both Rotherham and MK Dons.

Skivo had two full seasons in charge, and much of 2011/12 before Gary Johnson returned to the club and he became a deputy again, the role that he holds to this day, almost ten years later. His first full season, 2009/10, was one of the only League One seasons aside from the two play-off campaigns in which Yeovil were fairly comfortable and did not flirt with relegation – despite a lot of (often high scoring) draws, the Glovers were 11th with ten games to go and were never lower than 17th during the season. Although there did seem to be some dissatisfaction on the terraces while he was manager, hopefully history will look on him more kindly – firstly, any manager who keeps Yeovil in League One on the budget we have is a success. Maybe in 2009, which had seen an FA Trophy win, two promotions and a Wembley play-off final in just a few years, it was easy to forget that. But we were not on a level playing field financially with most League Two teams, let alone League One, in which we faced teams like Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Norwich, Charlton and Leicester on a fairly regular basis. Secondly, we scored more goals, signed some very good players and had a more balanced squad than the previous manager had done.

When things were not going so well on the pitch, Skiverton also had the ability to make changes – the dramatic change in form in 2009 which saved Yeovil from relegation was repeated two more times. In both 2010/11 and 2011/12, Yeovil were bottom in mid-season but an improved second half took them up to a more comfortable mid-table position. In 2010, the signing of Paul Wotton and Max Ehmer signalled a dramatic improvement, as a run of two points in eight games was followed by 17 points from the next eight. The season ended on a six-match unbeaten run with the Glovers winning 2-0 at Carlisle and finishing in a very respectable 14th.

Although 2011/12 followed a similar path, with the Yeovil bottom again after only two wins from their first 17 games, it seemed likely that he would be able to turn things around again, but in January 2012 Gary Johnson made a surprise return to the club, winning his first game in charge and picking up nine more that would lift the Glovers up to safety in 17th. This was done mostly with the players Skiverton had assembled, with the addition of two or three loan signings particularly Franks and Grounds down the troublesome left hand side. The following season of course, was a record-breaking one as the Glovers were promoted to the Championship for the first time in their history. Skiverton remained as Assistant Manager, and took temporary charge again following Johnson’s sacking in 2015 but was unable to prevent a second successive relegation, although he remained at the club through the succession of managers that followed where he remains at time of writing, assistant manager to Darren Sarll.

We can also look back at the high quality of signings that Skivo made, including in the loan market – Steven Caulker, Ryan Mason, Dean Bowditch, Andy Williams, Paul Huntington, Luke Freeman, Luke Ayling and Ed Upson. While Shaun MacDonald was initially brought in on loan by Russell Slade, he made most of his appearances for Skiverton, including a memorable hat-trick in the 5-1 win at Leyton Orient. He also brought Gavin Williams and Chris Weale back to the club. One of his first actions was to sign 17 year old Andros Townsend, who now plays regularly in the Premier League as does goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, another Skiverton signing.

A good example of his impact at Yeovil might be the development of players like Luke Ayling and Ed Upson. Ayling signed at just 18 from Arsenal’s reserves. He played about half the games in 2010/11 as he was bedded into the team, first in midfield and later at right back, which he would make his own from 2011-2014 before going on to play in the Premier League for Leeds. Upson also developed over a long period of time to become a key player for Yeovil. Signed after being released by Ipswich at the age of 20, he made a handful of appearances in 2010/11, limited mainly as cover for MacDonald. Over the following two seasons he grew in stature and by 2012/13 he and Ayling would have been two of the first names on the teamsheet of that playoff-winning team. Upson of course scored the goal that took Yeovil to the playoff final, but also scored these against Wycombe, Hereford and Fleetwood among many others. He made the step up to Championship level, scoring the Yeovil’s first Championship goal against Millwall as well as starring in one of the best performances of the season, the 3-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest. It shows what can be done with players with patience and time, as based on their first few appearances and maybe even first full season, I don’t think many people would have pegged Upson or Ayling as future stars, let alone one who would go on to play at the top level.

A lot has happened at Yeovil since Terence John Skiverton arrived as a fresh faced 23 year old from Mile End signed from Welling United by Colin Lippiatt. Three promotions, a Cup Final win, two Wembley appearances and Championship football. His first game was the 5-0 drubbing at Scarborough in August 1999. Although he did not start that game, he did play most games that season, with one highlight being he scored twice in the 5-1 win over Rushden in November. He scored a lot for a centre half because he put his head in where it hurt, getting injured while scoring on more than one occasion as well as playing on with a bandaged head as all good centre halves must do. He scored a number of vital goals including the winner in the 5-4 FA Trophy match at Doncaster, when at 3-0 down all must have seemed lost. He was also top scorer for a time at the beginning of the historic 2002/03 season, scoring in injury time to salvage a point on the first day, an injury time winner at Kettering a couple of weeks later, and celebrating the return to Huish Park with a goal against Woking. My personal favourite memory is probably against Doncaster in 2006, with Yeovil at the wrong end of the table and facing a difficult run-in, he scored an absolute cracker of a volley off the inside of the post which set Yeovil on the way to a comfortable 3-0 victory and probable League One safety. He was dominant in the air but didn’t just score with his head.

After more than 20 years as a player, captain, manager, and many other roles in between, it will be a strange day when Skivo is no longer at Yeovil Town but let’s hope it doesn’t happen for a long time yet.

Team that day: Chris Weale, Danny Hutchins, Nathan Smith, Lee Peltier, Terrell Forbes, Gary Roberts, Keiran Murtagh, Paul Warne, Andros Townsend (sub. Andy Welsh 73), Jonathan Obika, Gavin Tomlin (sub. Luke Rodgers 84). Subs not used: Craig Alcock, Danny Maguire, Danny Schofield

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Does anyone have a clue what day it is?

It’s actually bin day today, so that’s good. Apologies to SSDC for all of the Paw Patrol packaging and bottles of Sheppy’s (we could still do with some sponsorship if anyone from Sheppy’s is reading – your cider is stupendous!)

Who’s watched the Torquay highlights? I’d imagine none of those who went. It was disappointing to see Sonny react to some classic shithousery, hopefully he’ll learn from it and won’t get caught up in anything again. We’ve done a reasonable job of avoiding getting into trouble for silliness so far this season (Yussuf’s Boreham Wood brain fart aside) but with Sonny’s dismissal, Dan Moss’s 5th yellow and Grant Smith’s red after the final whistle, we’ve really shot ourselves in the foot. We’re always going to pick up cards, we’re into season three of Darren Sarll’s management and it’s been a constant, but if we can pick them up for tackles rather than dissent or head loss going forward, it’ll be easier to stomach.

In the aftermath of our Boxing Day loss at Plainmoor, Torquay United issued a statement regarding abhorrent chanting that some of their “so-called supporters” took part in during the match regarding our tragic captain Lee Collins. A video was circulated on Twitter from the Weymouth end during the FA Cup match at Huish Park where you could hear shouts of a similar ilk.

It’s a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done on the terraces. Whether it’s racism, sexism or any other discriminatory behaviour, there are channels to report it and people should feel able to do so. We should be (and are being) careful not to throw stones, as there have been occasions this season where our supporters have acted like idiots, although not in such a distasteful manner. I’m not sure what the answer is, and I know most self-respecting humans would never partake in such hatred dressed up as banter.

We’ve been through a lot as a club over the last 12 months, there’s no excuse for such bile on any terrace, social media platform or anywhere for that matter – especially Yeovil Town Football Club. Let’s be better.

Sheridan and Coatesie have shared their thoughts on our goalkeeping situation in the absence of Grant Smith. Have a read and let us know your views. For what it’s worth, I’m actually on the fence. Max Evans is around the club and his fellow teammates, it’s only two games, give him the chance. That said, I wouldn’t turn down my nose at an experienced EFL keeper for a month’s loan if the circumstances were right. Luckily, it’s not up to me.

After a week off, we’re actually recording a podcast tonight. If you have any questions you’d like answered you know what to do.

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Visiting Plainmoor - Torquay UnitedTorquay United have issued a strong statement saying that they will be ‘launching a full investigation’ after reports relating to fan behaviour during Yeovil’s Boxing Day visit to Plainmoor,

The statement reads: “The Club would like to stress that whilst the vast majority of supporters in attendance for this match were once again a credit to our Football Club, Torquay United AFC has a zero-tolerance policy regarding any behaviour of the nature being reported.

Any so-called fans identified as partaking in these acts will never be welcome at Plainmoor, and the Club will be issuing any perpetrators with life bans from the stadium accordingly.

Torquay United AFC prides itself on being a family-focused club at the heart of our local community, and we will not allow the mindless actions of a few to tarnish our proud reputation.”

Reports emerged on social media regarding disgraceful chants from a minority of Gulls’ supporters, which prompted a letter to the Green and White Supporters Club.

Any supporters who witnessed these actions, or have any information regarding them, are asked to report them to the Club via yellowarmy@torquayunited.com, in order to further assist with this investigation.

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With the FA now confirming that Yeovil Town’s  number one Grant Smith will be out for the next two games after his sending off after the final whistle in the 3-0 defeat at Torquay United on Boxing Day, manager Darren Sarll has a choice to make.

Max Evans has been the back-up keeper for the past two years with his starting appearances limited to the Somerset Premier Cup and then the recent FA Trophy win over Woking, and is the obvious choice to fill in for Smith – but there’s also the option of bringing in a loan keeper.

We got BBC Somerset’s Yeovil Town reporter Sheridan Robins and Gloverscast regular David Coates to put forward the arguments for both options…

Max Evans

 

Going with Max

Nineteen-year-old Max Evans has been in and around the first team for two full seasons now, under the watchful eye of excellent goalkeeping coach Craig Wight and has worked with some excellent goalkeepers in Adam Smith and Grant Smith.

His professional debut against Woking in the FA Trophy was uneventful, but as a goalkeeper that is all you can really ask for. He has been consistently on the bench in the National League, and with how many sides do not even use a substitute spot for an additional goalkeeper, he is clearly well sought after.

In my view, if he is good enough to be the backup, he is good enough to take to the field for an FA Cup match and National League clash.

Grant Smith has been outstanding this season, but I am sure he would be the first to say his actions on Sunday fell short of his standards. A loan signing might be sensible to provide cover, but with the loans we already have in, and the bodies we have cover for elsewhere in the side, I am not sure it is necessary.

They always say a goalkeeper is better for having competition – and if Max Evans plays these games and impresses then Smith will have to force his way back into the team and that can only be a good thing for this ever-improving Yeovil side.

I was struck by Darren Sarll’s post-match comments about how he doesn’t think we are short for next week. A few weeks ago, that would not have been the case.

I do hope we see Evans take to the field – and impress. What a moment it would be for him to start against the Championship winners-elect in the FA Cup.

And if the worst did happen and Evans got injured, there is always Luke Wilkinson who can come in to save the day…. ?

Sheridan Robins, BBC Somerset 

Getting in a loan

In Max Evans we clearly have a goalkeeper of some promise and his selection in the FA Trophy tie recently makes it clear Darren Sarll has faith in him.

Yeovil Town goalkeeper Grant Smith. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

But – you knew one was coming – I do not believe that Darren Sarll has it in his DNA to write off matches as lose-able and therefore chucking Evans in feels like a risk.

We’re still smarting from a loss at Torquay on Boxing Day and the Gulls made it clear that they have the gamesmanship (let’s be polite about it) you need a bit of in this division.

The likes of Danny Wright will undoubtedly target an inexperienced keeper.

In the FA Cup tie with AFC Bournemouth in the second match of Smith’s suspension, there will be some very good players in opposition and a Red Button audience watching on.

Should things start to go against us, the last thing Max needs for his confidence is to be repeatedly picking a ball out of the net.

Let’s assume for the sake of this scenario that the finance is in place to get a loan keeper in, and his parents club (assuming they are still in the competition) are willing to let him be Cup tied.

For his own protection, my view is we should look to bring a more experienced keeper in on loan even if it is just for a couple of matches.

We are at the midway point of the season and undoubtedly there are some good number two (and probably number three) goalkeepers kicking their heels in the Football League.

There will be chances for Max Evans in the near future and I have no doubt he’s capable of challenging for the number one jersey – but is now really the time for a novice?

David Coates – Gloverscast