Boss says Martin has to keep up his good form to see off Phillips Challenge

Steve Davis has told his number one goalkeeper Alan Martin that he remains in possession of the jersey going into the festive period and it is up to him to retain it. Martin has performed admirably this season to emerge as the number one ahead of the vastly experienced Steve Phillips, only being rested for our Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Doncaster Rovers.

Phillips picked up an ankle and shin injury during that cup-tie but he is making progress and won’t be content to sit on the substitutes’ bench for the remainder of the season. It is the competition for places that the boss wanted to create and when you consider that the club also have the emerging England youth international Ben Garratt in the ranks as well, the goalkeeping position is healthy.

Steve told crewealex.net: “Alan is the number one at the moment and he is like anyone else, if he plays well then we will stay in the team. I have always been fair with that and that is why Alan didn’t play at all last season because Steve was in such good form and deserved to play.

“Now it is the other way round and Steve will be determined to get back in because he has been a regular for the majority of his career. Alan has come in and done consistently well and we have two good goalkeepers behind him as well because Ben is a promising young goalkeeper who has improved with the coaching he has received from Steve.”