“Everybody makes mistakes, but when goalkeepers make them, it is costly. That’s the nature of being a goalkeeper.”
That is a quote from the late Wales manager Gary Speed, a reality that I am sure Simon Sluga already knew. But, on the off chance he was unaware, he certainly knows now, after his two schoolboy mistakes threw at least a point away for the Town at Derby prior to the international break.
I should say at this point that I am not anti-Sluga by any means, indeed I think there is a decent goalkeeper in there somewhere, and hopefully in the future that comes out, but the time has come for him to be left out of the side now. It is the fairest thing to do – not just for him but for everyone.
It is fair for James Shea, his likely replacement, who watched on as both calamities took place at Pride Park. It is fair for the outfield players who are busting a gut to try and get every possible point they can, only to watch on and see these errors putting their efforts to waste. And it is right for us fans who pay big money and travel in huge numbers to watch our Hatters team play.
…the time has come for him to be left out of the side now. It is the fairest thing to do – not just for him but for everyone.
I completely get the point that it could be harmful to the Croatian stopper and his confidence, and while I understand it, I would be surprised if he has much confidence to drain right now. And I’m pretty sure he is a wise enough bloke to know how the game works, and that while he didn’t mean to make the two errors, and those that went before them, that you just can’t get away with them and retain your place in the side.
The Championship is tough. It is tougher than I ever envisaged it to be, and I am fully aware that even a quarter into the season we are in a relegation battle, so the one thing we don’t need to be doing is gifting points away.
In most matches this term our performances have been very good, but errors have cost us time and again. We need to be ruthless in everything that we do if we are to survive in this league, and that includes making the decision to sit Sluga out, hopefully for the good of everyone involved.
I’m a huge admirer of manager Graeme Jones and believe in everything he believes in and stands for within the game. I trust him to do the right thing and make the switch for the clash with Bristol City on Saturday.
