James Collins says Ben Garratt has the potential to develop into a top class goalkeeper

James Collins believes that our number one goalkeeper, Ben Garratt, has the capability to play much higher than League Two, but he is hoping that the former England Youth International will continue to learn his trade at Crewe Alexandra under experienced coach Fred Barber.

Garratt, 22, has now amassed over 100 first team appearances since making his debut in the final home game of the 2012/13 season against Walsall.

Garratt’s consistent form once again saw him the supporters vote for their player-of-the-year award and he recently received his award from boss Steve Davis after the club’s end of season dinner was cancelled due to our relegation to League Two.

Collins told the club’s official web-site: “It would be no surprise if clubs were showing interest in Ben because I would have thought that he would have been on club’s radars for a few seasons now. He is still a young goalkeeper but he has played over 100 games.

“He has learnt from the likes of Paul Antrobus, Steve Phillips and now Fred and I am sure he would have picked up things from all of them.

“He is calm and composed and we like it that in a goalkeeper but he knows there are aspects of his game that can improve. He is always striving to get better every day with the work he does with Fred.

“He needs to have more of a presence and be more vocal on the pitch and his kicking can improve. You almost have to be arrow like with your distribution at the top level. He will get better at it with time because no works harder than Ben. He is a top professional and I’m sure will become a top goalkeeper.

“He is still young because as we know goalkeepers can go on to play until their late 30s, or even 40s, so he has time on his side.”