davie nine":2pcyzc6j said:
I saw Mike Cooper on a few occasions, once against Ivybridge in SWPL and 3 times for the U18's. I thought he looked impressive. Not sure if he will be 3rd choice as I think he is only 17.
I'm not too sure on DOBs but second year apprentices will be 17 turning 18. Cory Harvey was used as cover a few times when he was a second year, don't know if he was 17 or 18 at the time.
If Mike Cooper (who indecently I would say at this moment in time would be the best bet on someone from that year breaking into the first team, I agree with Davie he is very impressive and it was easy to forget he was only a first year apprentice last season.) was called up last season it would have meant having to put a schoolboy keeper in any SWPL weekend game it clashed with, which they might have been a bit concerned about if they felt he wasn't yet ready.
This season you've got two apprentices (Max Childs a first year and Mike Cooper obviously a second year) goalkeepers so probably less of need for a third keeper, I think there has been a couple of times when we have had Football League/SWPL and U18s all playing same day, if not same time that's when it could become stretched without 3 GK.
As for Marc I thought he looked pretty decent whenever I saw him play, seemed good at encouraging the younger players so I am sad to see him go although fully understand and respect his reasons. I only ever spoke to him the once but come away with the same positive opinion as the OP, he does seem like the type others look up to so I wish him all the very best for the future, he is another who's career I will keep an eye on.