Sheffield Wednesday’s goalkeeper battle leaves with Neil Thompson with a decision to make
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None of their shot-stoppers has played more than 11 league games so far this season, with Joe Wildsmith, Cameron Dawson and Keiren Westwood sharing out the 23 games between them up to now.
But Wildsmith has put in some good performances of late following injuries to his two fellow goalkeepers, and with 15 games in all competitions he has got substantially more minutes than either of them.
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Hide AdThe Owls academy product may have conceded three goals in the 3-0 FA Cup loss against Everton on Sunday, but he gave a good account of himself a made a number of fine saves to keep the score down.
Now it remains to be seen when Westwood or Dawson will be back available and ready to return, but ‘Thommo’ admits that there will be a tough decision to be made no matter who is leading the team when they do manage to get back in contention.
He told The Star after the defeat at Goodison Park, “It’s something that, when everyone is available, if I’m in charge then I’ve got to make a judgement on it… Joe’s not done himself any harm in the game at Exeter and the one tonight, but Keiren will come back fit at some stage and so will Cameron Dawson.
“We’ve got three good goalkeepers to pick from, and that’s what I’ll be doing - if I’m in charge.”
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Hide AdAlong with the three aforementioned goalkeepers, another two youngsters – Josh Render and Luke Jackson – have made it into the matchday squad on various occasions this season, but the U23 stoppers are probably some way off being deemed ready to challenge the senior stoppers for a starting berth.
Next up for the Owls is a trip to Birmingham on Wednesday night to face Coventry City, and it’s likely that it’ll be Wildsmith that keeps his place as they seek to extend their four-game unbeaten run in the Championship.