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Post by alanrg on Jul 18, 2021 10:49:23 GMT
Played in goal against Plymouth yesterday on trial
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Post by mariobalotelli on Jul 18, 2021 11:06:05 GMT
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Post by haddock_n_chips on Jul 18, 2021 11:10:57 GMT
It is no secret Bristol Rovers need to sign a goalkeeper this summer, and Joey Barton may have found his man in Harrogate Town hero James Belshaw.
The 30-year-old has spent two weeks on trial with the Gas after he was given permission to pursue a move away by Town boss Simon Weaver.
Belshaw is under contract at The EnviroVent Stadium for another two years, but with Mark Oxley joining the Sulphurites from Southend United this summer his playing chances are in doubt.
In four years with Harrogate, Belshaw has made 184 appearances, winning promotions from the National League North and the National League
“Belly has had his agent talking to a few clubs and he’s going to be with another side for a week so they can have a closer look at him with a view to a move there,” Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser on July 8.
The keeper has been at The Quarters since, and Gas boss Barton was impressed with his performance in the 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
"I thought he did well," Barton told Bristol Live. "We’ve obviously got a position to fill with losing about eight goalkeepers last year.
"We’ve only got Anssi (Jaakkola) and Jed (Ward) registered in the senior group, so we do need to fill that space.
"He did well today and I’ve got to give a decision to him today. I’ll go speak with him now and give him a decision.
"But I thought he was really good. He furthered his case after being really good in the last couple of weeks around the training ground.
"Might have a bit of positive news for him there, but it will come down to price point."
In Jaakkola, Rovers have a top-class number one, while 18-year-old Ward is a prospect Rovers are eager to develop.
Barton is in need of a second-choice option to cover for possible injuries and Jaakkola's trips on international duty, and Belshaw appears an ideal fit from a Rovers perspective.
He has a wealth of experience under his belt and, aged 30, he ought to be coming into his prime years as a goalkeeper and a dependable back-up for Jaakkola.
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Post by gasandelectricity on Jul 18, 2021 11:37:19 GMT
Sounds like he’s coming in if the price is right.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2021 11:48:46 GMT
Thought he looked a commanding presence and always available for the back pass.
Feel regular playing time might be an issue with him though.
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Post by graceyboy on Jul 18, 2021 12:13:41 GMT
Hope we sign him. Looks like just what we need. Similar situation to will puddy re back up keeper who has spent his career in non league.
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Post by daniel300380 on Jul 18, 2021 12:15:55 GMT
Annsi going on international duty, is not good for us as a club. Especially as he never plays anyway.
With the reduced squad sizes, a lot of other teams only had one senior keeper last season. Then if they get injured, they are allowed to bring in an emergency loan. The same keeper played for Peterborough on emergency loan and then played in the play offs a few weeks later for Lincoln.
If Annsi didn’t leave, we could do that. But I’m guessing you can’t get an emergency loan, to cover international duty. As they could say, you knew that was likely to happen.
2 senior keepers, would mean only 18 outfield player’s over 21.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2021 12:20:55 GMT
Hope we sign him. Looks like just what we need. Similar situation to will puddy re back up keeper who has spent his career in non league. But he recently has been promoted from the National league and was their number one in League two last season. If he has further ambitions, would have thought bench warming for Anssi might not appeal. |
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Post by playtowin on Jul 18, 2021 12:54:18 GMT
Hope we sign him. Looks like just what we need. Similar situation to will puddy re back up keeper who has spent his career in non league. But he recently has been promoted from the National league and was their number one in League two last season. If he has further ambitions, would have thought bench warming for Anssi might not appeal. He may take the view that Jaakola might leave at the end of the season . Therefore being in place and performing well when called might see him become number one. There is also the thought if he plays well when Anssi is away he might keep the jersey . |
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Post by Topper Gas on Jul 18, 2021 13:55:27 GMT
But he recently has been promoted from the National league and was their number one in League two last season. If he has further ambitions, would have thought bench warming for Anssi might not appeal. He may take the view that Jaakola might leave at the end of the season . Therefore being in place and performing well when called might see him become number one. There is also the thought if he plays well when Anssi is away he might keep the jersey . Plus a decent 2 years contract at Rovers is probably very attractive for a former Harrogate player, who'll also know all about Jaakola's poor fitness record. |
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Post by james246 on Jul 18, 2021 19:17:46 GMT
Looked a decent keeper to me, there is something about him that suggests he is sharp between the ears and knows his way around the penalty area.
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Post by james246 on Jul 18, 2021 19:18:58 GMT
Looked a decent keeper to me, there is something about him that suggests he is sharp between the ears and knows his way around the penalty area.
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Post by wilmslowgas on Jul 18, 2021 19:22:34 GMT
Subject to satisfactory contract terms, this could be a very good move for Belshaw. Sure, he starts as back up but Anssi has missed a lot of games over the last two seasons due to internationals and injuries. If that pattern persists it would present Belshaw with a great opportunity to demonstrate his worth.
Whoever is in goal this season will be behind a better defence (it could hardly be worse) and against inferior opposition to that faced last season.
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Post by gasheadontour on Jul 18, 2021 21:33:59 GMT
He was great in Animal House.
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Post by seanclevedongas on Jul 18, 2021 22:04:39 GMT
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Post by gasheadontour on Jul 18, 2021 23:35:00 GMT
When he takes the food for a bite and then puts it back - it reminds me of Rovers v Port Vale in the Play-offs. There was a supermarket next to the Port Vale stadium. After the match I saw a Rovers fan take a huge bite from a block of cheese and then put it back. |
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Post by goodnightirene1883 on Jul 19, 2021 10:23:18 GMT
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Post by seanclevedongas on Jul 19, 2021 10:38:58 GMT
I am confused, there is no way the keeper in goal on Saturday is 6'3"?? |
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Post by Kingswood Polak on Jul 19, 2021 10:53:16 GMT
I am confused, there is no way the keeper in goal on Saturday is 6'3"?? Agreed mate. Seems odd |
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Post by wertongas on Jul 19, 2021 11:17:45 GMT
Read a newspaper report on James Belshaw from last April where it reported that he made a string of superb saves against Walsall , appears he could be a very good signing for us and may give the flying Finn a run for his money .
If we could get this one over the line , then a target man and possibly another right back is all i can see we would need to be ready to challenge for promotion this season
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