After the departure of Kelvin Davis, Niall Quinn admitted that he was on the lookout for a new goalkeeper; we look over at the possible candidates to be Sunderland’s new number 1?
‘I really believe in Ben Alnwick but he knows he needs competition, he needs to be pushed. If we can bring in an experienced keeper, that will benefit us. It’s a work in progress. We are going to see a goalkeeper who I hope people will mention in the same breath as Jim Montgomery.’
Niall Quinn, July 2006.
Just who will Quinn entrust to lead the side from the back in this season’s promotion push? Here we list several options for the new boss to ponder over.
Mart Poom
Sold to Arsenal last season after Bob Murray deemed his wages too high to maintain, despite having just been promoted. A popular figure on Wearside, due to his cult status achieved after scoring an amazing last minute equaliser at Derby. However his goalkeeping skills are not in question either, with his save at home to Millwall two seasons ago reminiscent of the great 73 cup final keeper himself. Now 3rd choice behind Jens Lehman and Manuel Almunia however, Poom may be keen on a move back to Sunderland, and Arsenal would be prepared to sell. His signature could eventually lead to a place on the coaching staff, having worked with Tim Carter at Estonian international level also.
Thomas Myhre
Another who was released after promotion, despite being an integral figure that season as he deputised superbly after Mart Poom’s injury. Having returned to Norway, Myhre found himself back in the Premiership with Charlton. Initially 3rd choice keeper behind Dean Kiely and Stephan Anderson, Myrhe displaced both to become number 1 at The Valley, resulting in Kiely finding a new club in Portsmouth. If Quinn is looking at players who have proven themselves at Sunderland in the past, he’d do well to find a more suitable choice than Mhyre. Charlton are unlikely to want to sell however.
Ben Alnwick
When Quinn mentioned a keeper that would be mentioned alongside Monty, he may well have been referring to Alnwick. At only 19 years old he has bags of potential, but is ambitious and determined to play regular football now, as his transfer request in the close season demonstrated. Quinn has confidence in Alnwick and has told him so, feeling that the arrival of an experienced keeper will push Alnwick and give him competition, but not necessarily force him out of the side. The local lad has done little wrong when given his chance in the first team, and has impressed during pre-season, keeping 3 clean sheets in 3 games.
Steve Harper
Harper may finally want to move out of Newcastle at the age of 31, realising that being one of the league’s best paid reserve keeper’s is not necessarily a great position to be in. His talent has rarely been in question, indeed Sunderland fans know only too well, after his outstanding performance at the Stadium of Light several seasons ago. However the ever-impressive Shay Given still stands in his way and has recently signed a new 4-year contract and made vice captain, therefore Harper’s patience may have finally run out. Wherever he moves to however, he will want guaranteed first team football after years sitting on the bench. Can Quinny guarantee this?
Mike Pollitt
The current Wigan goalkeeper has been linked with us in the press. Pollitt was part of the same Sunderland squad as Niall Quinn during the brief spell that he was on Wearside as backup to Thomas Sorenson. Played most of the season as Wigan’s first choice last season and Paul Jewell may be reluctant to sell, not to mention the possibility of the player’s inevitable reluctance to drop a division. A deal for Pollitt is unlikely.
Conclusion
Whoever Quinn chooses to go for, his task will be made the more difficult after his public backing of Alnwick. It seems that he is prepared to allow Alnwick the chance to stake a claim for the number 1 jersey, unlike his predecessor Mick McCarthy. However many of the goalkeeper’s on his short list will not be eager to drop a division to play second fiddle to a 19-year old, no matter how talented he is. Having already played at Sunderland for several seasons and already a crowd favourite, Mart Poom may be one of the few who is prepared to make the move, with the possibility of a future coaching role an incentive as he looks for stability approaching the final years of his career.
