Steve backs new goalkeeper Rachubka to grab his chance
Crewe’s new goalkeeper Paul Rachubka will get the opportunity to prove that he can be the solution to the loss of Ben Garratt. The former Manchester United trainee has been thrust into the number one spot probably quicker than he even he would have expected following Garratt’s untimely injury, but the 33-year-old Rachubka is experienced enough to handle the task after playing over 350 first class games.
The American born Rachubka made an error on his debut at Barnsley when he was responsible for the Tykes’s second goal at Oakwell, but Davis is backing him to come through once he has rediscovered some of that lost match sharpness. He last played competitively for his last club Oldham back in late January and he recently joined Crewe as a free agent until the end of the season.
Rachubka couldn't play in the club's Cheshire Senior Cup tie last night as he was not registered ahead of the tie been fixed against our neighbours Macclesfield. The same rule applied to our former players Thierry Audel and Lee Bell on the Silkmen's side.
The Alex boss told crewealex.net: “Paul has come in and it was a difficult situation for him to come off the bench on Saturday. He will be disappointed with the manner of Barnsley’s second goal but he brings with him a wealth of experience.
“He has played 20 odd games for Oldham this season but fell out of favour in the New Year. So he has missed playing for a few weeks and he needs to get some of that match sharpness back. He is bound to be a bit rusty because a goalkeeper is a specialist position.
“We have told Paul that this opportunity is up to him. If he does well enough now then he has a good chance of staying in. I may have to look into the market for another one because if anything happened to Paul then we wouldn’t have another for the first-team. We would only have the youth goalkeepers.
Steve added: “Paul has been in the lower leagues for a number of years and has had a decent career. He has a lot of experience and he could help us. It is all down to his performances.”