Rene Gilmartin wants to prove to himself he is ready for senior football as he prepares for his first Walsall appearance in two and a half years at Cheltenham tonight.
The goalkeeper hasn’t played for the Saddlers since March, 2006, and has only made three appearances in three years at the club.
With regular stopper Clayton Ince away with Trinidad and Tobago, Gilmartin will play in the Johnston’s Paint Trophy second round tie at Whaddon Road and in the League One visit of Peterborough on Saturday.
He said: “As much as I want to prove to the gaffer he can call on me, I want to prove to myself I can do this and I can play league football.
“I have grown up since I was a young Irishman who had just come across the water. Now I am prepared and I can go and show what I can do.
“I don’t want to be a goalkeeper who sits on the bench, I want to test myself and this is a massive test for me. Now there is a transition period where you have to step out of the comfort zone of the bench and play.
“I have been waiting a long time but I am delighted I have the chance now.”
The 21-year-old has played second fiddle to Ince and Andy Oakes for the whole of his Saddlers career but insists his time on the sidelines has not left him frustrated.
He said: “I wouldn’t call it frustration because that would mean I am disappointed with having to come to training and I love training. People forget there are those who work in factories but I am coming to training every day and improving.”
3 Comments
What a gamble! I really hope Rene does well, but to have him between sticks against Posh is a massive gamble.
Questions: Who will be goalie on the bench for these games if the trialist we have can only play in second string games?
Is it not worth bringing someone in on loan?
We have this game and six league games by Nov 1st and (god forbid) we loose these next 2 games, we would really be on an uphill battle to regain momentum. Not impossible but a tough ask none the less.
Anyway not wanting to be too negative……it’s a great opportunity for Rene and I sure Gerrard and Roberts will give him good protection.
COME ON YOU SUPER SADDLERS!
If we want to take a bit of a chance, there’s a guy playing for West Hame reserves who might be worth a try - James Walker.
i went to cheltnam and this kid is tripe end of, get someone in jimmy for god sake.