Goalkeeper Ben Garratt had to wait patiently for his recall to the Crewe Alexandra starting line-up after losing his place at the start of the season to his close friend but rival David Richards.
It has been an intriguing battle between the pair that really began last season when Richards managed to break into the team back in late September when he starred away at Coventry City, but it was Garratt finishing the campaign back in the team.
Following our heavy 6-0 defeat away at Colchester, Garratt regained the number one shirt but couldn’t quite keep a clean-sheet at Carlisle, but he has now been between the sticks for back-to-back wins over Macclesfield Town and Tranmere Rovers in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Garratt says that it is important that we keep conceding goals down to a minimum especially away from home to give ourselves the best chance of picking up points.
Ben told the club’s official website: “It has got to be nil against us as much as possible. We have managed to do that in the home games but haven’t been able to replicate that in the away games.
“If we can get that clean-sheet then new will be picking up at least point and that is how we have got to look at it. We were unfortunate not to have got more at Newport and Carlisle when we played well on the day and deserved more than what we got. We have to make sure we get something from games like that.”
On winning his place back, Garratt says that he has gone through a difficult time after not starting the season in the team.
“I’m not going to lie, it has not been easy, it has been very difficult but it is part of the game and you have to get on with it, “said Ben.
“You have to show the right attitude, take it on the chin and make sure you bounce back. When you get that chance you have to take it and perform.
“I am like anyone else here. We know there is competition for places throughout the squad and the goalkeepers are not different. We want to train in the week and then be out there playing at the weekend. That is what it is about and the competition is healthy.”