Backup keepers should remain just that for cup ties (ESPN article)

by Dave Usher for ESPN

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers spoke of the need to restore the confidence of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet following a series of costly errors by the Belgian in recent weeks. It is therefore a counterproductive decision to opt to play Brad Jones between the sticks in the FA Cup tie at Bournemouth this weekend as it is a game that could give Mignolet that boost.

In the previous round, backup 'keeper Jones was given a rare outing, of course, as the Reds overcame plucky Oldham Athletic. But it's a policy that I completely disagree with, and one employed by many clubs these days.

Whilst there is a need to occasionally rest outfield players, the same does not apply to goalkeepers and it appears that the main reason for selecting the backup is sentiment. "Oh he's a good pro, he trains hard every day, let's give him a game in the FA Cup". Sorry, but no. Backup goalkeepers at top clubs are financially compensated for their lack of playing time. For me, that's enough reward for training hard and being a good pro. If they were motivated by playing time they wouldn't have signed for a team knowing full well they were only going to be a backup.

Perhaps that sounds harsh, but it's true. The likes of Jones, Costel Pantilimon, Lukasz Fabianski, Joel Robles, Henrique Hilario etc... all knew what they were signing up for when they joined clubs that had a clear number one goalkeeper in place. So why should they then be given playing time in the cups when their presence weakens the team?

It's nothing personal against Jones, I'd feel the same whoever the backup was, unless there was very little to choose between him and the first choice, which is very rarely the case. The Australian has had some good games and some bad ones, as you'd expect from an understudy. He does not give Liverpool the best chance to win games, however, and therefore picking him in cup games is not wise. In fact, it's asking for trouble.

I'm still emotionally scarred by the performance of Charles Itandje in an embarrassing FA Cup Fifth Round loss at home to Barnsley in 2008. What good reason was there for him to start ahead of Pepe Reina? It's not like the warning signs weren't there, he'd let two in against non-league Havant & Waterlooville in the previous round.

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