I said this a week or so back. Surely all no2 keepers get a run out in pre season?

Id have thought especially when he has never made an appearence before.

First I thought maybe he wasnt going to be no2 and we were bringing in another keeper but that looks unlikely now.

Something is up unless Turner simply has no clue what he is doing.

It certainly looks strange. Surely he'll get the nod against Gateshead for twenty minutes or so.

It does seem strange, if he wasn't good enough to be a number 2 last season then surely he isn't good enough. If he has potential then for his potential to be realised he needs to play... Another thing - the lad looks as though he is about 12 on the photo on the official site....

If Flinders wasn't playing in the pre-season games some goons on here would be carping about how he was expected to get a good understanding with the defence from the subs bench.

i just assumed it would be to give the keeper and defence as much chance to gel as possible seems as though its almost a completely new back 5

I don't think anybody is remotely suggesting that Flinders shouldn't be playing. What is being suggested is that it wouldn't hurt for Cook to get a bit of time between the sticks.

I think so and its getting very tedious! I would sooner listen to Tree calling all and sundry a c**t all the time (like he does )

Lets also hope Flinders doesn't get injured too....

the majority of the time, the sub keeper never gets a look in the full season, so for me, getting an understanding with the defence for the 1st choice keeper is way more important than sharing it. Of course that could come back to bite me on the arse if Flinders were to get injured but when it comes to keepers that is more doubtful than an outfield player.

I reckon Cook will probably play against Horden next week seeing as that game is only 3 days before the MK Dongs game

you mean like alb last season at fleetwood

Cook is a kid he looks about 14, their is little chance he is going to be thrown into the first team this season so what is the point in playing him in first team friendlies? It's better Flinders playing as many minutes as possible to forge an understanding with people he's hardly played with and who haven't played with him. Having just one keeper now means Cook can gain valuable experience in the reserves and on the first team bench.

The problem we've had is we signed two keepers on two year deals. When they both turned out to be Northern League standard we had nowhere to go unless someone would take them off us, which given they were awful was highly unlikely. How can you justify having three senior keepers on the books at a club of our size? So why make that mistake again? We've signed a keeper, if he's out of form, injured, or suspended you can always get a keeper on loan at very short notice. Why risk two years with sub standard keepers again? We have scope within the wage bill to sign another keeper, we haven't had that for two seasons.

Sounds like common sense to me.

What has the fact he looks 14 got to do with anything at all?

He is going to be our no2 keeper and therefore on the bench and at some point im pretty sure Flinders will be injured/suspended/sent off. If he was 3rd choice then id agree entirely but not in this situation.

Also I agree with Muttley, this place has gone to shit and its not from the usual people.

Im glad you put that wink in!

You've not read the rest of my post then.....

Yup I have. I still think he should have been given some minutes. He has got to be ready to step in at any time. He could be called in straight away for nearly a full game at MK Dons for example. I just feel he would be more ready if he was given his debut in pre season. Maybe he will play in Gateshead or Horden and if so fair enough.

So this is yet more gum banging about next to nothing?

He would be better prepared to play at MK Dons (which he almost certainly won't) if he played minutes in pre season (which he will). It's clear that Turner doesn't consider him as someone who will feature in the first team yet and I have have already said what I think will happen if anything happens to Flinders.

But just by me at a guess?

Why the paranoia?

It's a fair point that people have raised it's being discussed why take every comment to heart?

It is a fair point and a fair discussion. Just not sure why your comment about banging gums was aimed at just me and why you never said it when the thread was started by whoever?

That part I do agree with. I just hope Flinders is a good keeper. I just reckon after signing ALB and Budtz in the same summer they don't want their fingers burning again, it could of course backfire.

[x] chip is really thinking that he knows this keeper is going to be crap

see now thats where i think Turner has took a calculated risk. He knows this guy has massive potential and in order to fulfill it, he needs regular games. He also knows that some of our fans won't give this lad a chance and the first time he makes a mistake or the first time he doesnt keep a clean sheet, they will be on his back like a pack of baying wolves.

If we had a 2nd senior keeper, the fans would be demanding a swap in keepers (a la Budtz last year). However if Flinders is the only recognised keeper, it should stop some of the moaning from some of the fans and should also give the lad a bit of confidence knowing he has a chance to get a serious amount of games under his belt.

The talk of 'competition for places' isn't always true if you have players with top attitudes. Joel Porter last season had NO competition for his place yet produced his best ever and most consistent season.

It is a risk from Turner, but a one he knows he can easily resolve with a loan if need be.

When do we play Horden then?

Wednesday 5th up at their place

How do any of you know that CT rates Cook at all?

Lets just say that I KNOW certain people at the club believe the current youth team keeper will make the first team before Cook.

And the coaches at the Club rate Flinders very highly, and the youth team keeper, who is a big lad.

Cook isnt even tall.

Infact they believe Filnders will be a star, and believe he is he 10 times better than ALB and Butdz combined.

But I dont suppose it will stop the Flinders detractors on here. First mistake, and all hell will let loose.

That is encouraging re Flinders. Who is our goalkeeping coach these days? Hopefully he will be able to help flinders progress at the same rate that Dimi did.

and who is the youth team keeper

Other than Provett I cant remember the last time we had a half decent keeper come through the youth team. Hopefully he will provide Flinders with some competition as by the sounds of what people have said, Cook isnt going to.

Graham Carr!

Mind you, he did knuckle down and become a crackin postman

I recognise the name but i cant remember him. I think he was on the first team photo I had of pools around '88.

Surely you did not remember all their names!? You must have a 'cheat sheet' somewhere!

Some of them keepers have just sent a cold shiver down my spine MadJohn! especially Rob Moverley! I think he saved a penna on his debut..but they knocked the rebound in, it didn't get much better than that! Culminated in a 7 - 1 thrashing at York in the Sherpa Van trophy.. ah Happy Days!

Some of the posters on ere would internally combust with the amount of stuff and potential whinging they could have done back then!

I'm of the firm opinion that Flinders is going to be an absolute star - aint seen him yet like!