Hutchings quiet on Gilmartin error

Monday 20th April 2009, 11:29AM BST.

huddersfield41Walsall manager Chris Hutchings refused to publicly criticise Rene Gilmartin after the goalkeeper’s howler allowed Huddersfield to come back from the dead.

The Saddlers threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 on Saturday, as Gilmartin allowed Andy Booth’s weak effort to squirm out of his hands to spark the Terriers’ comeback.

The striker equalised a minute before half-time and Martin Kelly netted a 62nd minute winner, after Jabo Ibehre’s brace had put the hosts in control.

Hutchings said: “I will speak to Rene and it is not for me to say things publicly. He deserved his chance.”


  1. 1
    kev w

    give clayton a 2 year contract.

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  2. 2
    tommy sloan

    I agree. Give Zaboob, deeney, gerrard a (3 year contract), weston and nicholls a contract and maybe palmer. GET RID OF RICKETTS! HE IS THE LAZIEST PLAYER IN THE SIDE AND PROBABLY TAKES HOME THE BIGGEST WAGE! A DISCGRACE! Id rather keep jabo because of his work rate and he will score goals! We need an out and out goal scorer next season tho. Hopefully the rumour of a buy out at Walsall is true and we can have some money spent bringing in new players!

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  3. 3
    bj

    i have watched gilmartin a lot in the reserves this season and last and the man is alwys droping a clanger if he thinks he is good enough to take over from clayton i think he should wake up and smell the coffee i think the manager needs to look elseware.

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  4. 4
    saddler

    Based on Clayton’s recent form, I wouldn’t give him a 1 year contract, let alone 2.

    Gilmartin has been relatively sound for a young kid with less than 10 starts to his name in the 1st team, in fact, I’d say he has shown some potential taking that into account.

    Clayton has made his fair share of errors recently before his absence, that have directly led to goals.

    So I’ll give Rene one mistake without jumping on his back, and I’d like to think Hutchings will too.

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  5. 5
    Matt

    Saddler, have to disagree. Clayton has had a good year as a whole and I would give him 2 years without question. Rene has improved but is always liable to blunder. I don’t ever remember him keeping a clean sheet!!

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  6. 6
    Saddler

    Difficult to keep a clean sheet when you’ve been defending like we have recently.

    Ince is 35 and has shown signs this year that his form is waivering… A 2 year deal to a 35yr old goalkeeper is not what I’d be wanting us to do.

    By all means, lets go and find a new keeper if Rene isn’t ready to be a No 1, but I don’t think Ince is that man.

    And as I said, would we write off an outfield player within 10 matches? No. So why do that to a keeper?

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  7. 7
    Matt

    Fair enough on not many games, but I wouldnt have him as my number one

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