SAM Walker has been City’s undisputed number one ever since being signed in January 2024 to replace Harry Lewis.
But while the likes of Joe Hilton and Colin Doyle have never been any more than back-ups to him, ready to step in for EFL Trophy matches, Walker appears to have a genuine challenge on his hands for next season.
Speaking to T&A chief sports writer Simon Parker, City boss Graham Alexander refused to guarantee a starting spot going forward for Walker, who has made 112 consecutive league starts.
What has the City boss said?
Alexander said: “The idea is we don’t want an absolute defined number one and two.
“We want two goalkeepers that compete.
“I know it’s a little bit different from an outfield player. You don’t potentially chop and change.
“But I want to be confident in both my goalkeepers that they can play in the league games and help us defend well and keep clean sheets.
“When we do sign a goalkeeper, it will be a competition with him and Sam.
“I’ve got every confidence that Sam will understand that and stand up to it because he’s a competitor.
“He’s been brilliant for us but for the health of the club, we have to have competition throughout the squad.
“That’s the challenge for anyone. If any player wants to be guaranteed to play every week, regardless of performance, they’re not going to get that promise from me.”
'He's not perfect but best we have had in a while'
The interview has certainly generated a strong reaction among the fanbase, as evidence in the comments below the T&A article.
Walker kept 14 clean sheets last season, the fourth-highest in League One, and some posters leapt to his defence.
H&SBantam said: “I don’t get the anti-Walker comments.
“Yes, he’s not perfect but best we have had in a while.
“Lots of clean sheets and helped us to get promotion and playoffs.
“If we can find a better keeper great, but who’s out there?”
Troy Shondell added: “Top keeper who would definitely benefit from some more direct competition like at other clubs.
“But anyone who thinks Sam has let anyone down, or as some like to call him Calamity Sam, then they are blind and probably a bit stupid.”
Did his form take a dip?
Jolly Ollie attempted to give a balanced take, saying: “Although Walker kept us in many games this season and last and won us a few, too, his form definitely took a dip toward the end of last season.
“He appeared indecisive and his kicking ended up anywhere other than where the ball should have ended up.
“He’s a decent keeper and competition would benefit both him and the defence.”
Who would replace him?
And Five Rise Bantam suggested: “Matty Young on loan from Sunderland would fit the bill in my opinion.
“Would be a great move to carry on his development.
“Two good loan spells at Salford over 64 games played, part of the England set up and only 19, what's not to like?”
'Nobody should be guaranteed a place'
The Facebook comments on the piece saw some differing opinions too, but all seemed fairly reasonable and well thought out.
Discussing Walker, Ben Broxholme said: “He is a top-class bloke and fantastic keeper but we defo need strong competition, nobody should be guaranteed a place.”
Ian Butterfield assessed: “Good keeper but for 6'5" doesn’t command his box well enough and distribution needs work.
“But let’s not forget, for every mistake that led to a goal, he’s made prob x4 saves to keep us in games, just more noticeable when a keeper makes an error!”
And finally, Jay Welsh opined: “Goalkeepers win games as much as strikers.
“We love big Sam, but too many games the last third of the season, we needed that commanding keeper with great reactions and unfortunately, Sam came up short.
“As a football club we need to be appreciative of our players, but we also need to try improve and we definitely need a new No1.
“Definitely keep Sam as a No.2.”
