Bully forced to find goalkeeper

Wednesday 3rd September 2008, 8:01AM BST.

rangers-team-pic.jpegStafford Rangers manager Steve Bull is launching a frantic search for a replacement goalkeeper for injured first-choice Danny Alcock.

Alcock dislocated an elbow in the goalless draw with Kings Lynn at Marston Road and had to be taken to hospital.

Bully has since confirmed that Alcock is facing six weeks out, so he will have to go into the transfer market to get a new goalkeeper in, with the clock ticking before a trip to Gateshead on Saturday.

He said: “It has been confirmed that Danny faces six weeks out, so that is that. We must get a new goalkeeper in.

“It will likely be a loan signing, so myself and the coaching staff are going to have to get our heads together to see who we can get in.

“It is a huge blow to lose our No 1, but that has what happened and we may as well just get on with it.”

Teenage deputy Danny Allen had to step in and managed to keep a clean sheet on his debut, but Bull knows it would be unfair on the youngster to thrust him into the Blue Square North firing line at this stage.

He said: “Danny Allen is only a young lad. I told him just to go out there, enjoy himself and don’t panic.

“He is a good lad but he is not experienced enough to fill the breach for that long. To ask him to do that would be unfair on him. The search for a new goalkeeper begins now.”

The Rangers boss meanwhile was delighted with the response of his players against the Linnets, after the tongue lashing he gave them in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Southport on Saturday.

Rangers missed a hatful of chances to break Kings Lynn’s record of seven draws from seven matches this season.

Bull said: “I told them after the game it was 90 per cent better than what they gave me against Southport. They bounced back with commitment.

“It’s what the fans want out of the players, it’s what I want from now on – nothing less.

“How we didn’t win that game I’ll never know. The lesson is, you have got to take your chances.”

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  1. 1
    Dave Newton

    Why in world is bully looking for a replacement keeper? This young lad has been sitting on the bench for near enough a whole season, he makes a great debut and Bully insults him by saying he’s looking for a replacement. Very odd tactics considering its Stafford Rangers FIRST CLEAN sheet of the season, when it was Danny ALLEN in goal. When is Danny Allen going to get any experience playing on the field if when the opportunity rises for some regular game play he is replaced by an on-loan keeper. Im sure fans and players both alike feel this is unfair and think that Danny Allen deserves a chance to prove himself as a number 1 goal keeper.

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  2. 2
    john beaty

    i feel that bully is being unfair. i think that he should give danny allen a chance. on tuesday dan, although he must have been nervous, looked calm and had a good match. i think he should be trusted. by all means look for a new keeper but don’t rush it give danny allen a chance

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  3. 3
    Andrew Stephens

    Absolutely, and he’s cheap – no doubt playing for nothing or next to nothing, like most of the squad. Anyway, as we have no money…or rather as (what should be) the playing budget is going in someone else’s pocket, as different sources consitently say, (no names eh, ahem!) the chances of a ‘freebie’ being as competent as this lad are slim I reckon.
    BTW – the reason we didn’t beat King’s Lynn is more likely down to an inferior opposition to that of Southport (the standard where we ought to be at least), rather than any motivational lambasting by Bull, as this paper would have us believe. Well, ‘lambasting’ yes – but hardly motivational I’m sure…not when it’s shared with the media, as a pre-emptive strike in case his questionable management may be at fault. I hope he proves me wrong, but having once defended Bull’s credentials to all detractors, I’m becoming a little sceptical about his motives and abilities in this job!

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