Roberto Martinez reassures Chris Kirkland over Wigan Athletic future
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has moved quickly to reassure goalkeeper Chris Kirkland that he still has a major role to play at the Premier League club.
Kirkland has lost the number one position at Wigan this season. The former England international played in the 6-0 defeat by Chelsea and has not appeared in a Wigan game since.
"I have got a great relationship with Chris and we have spoken about his role at the football club.
I told him he has been a number one for many seasons and has earned the respect of the fans and everyone," said Martinez.
It makes no sense at all for Wigan to shun Kirkland because he has many positive qualities as a goalkeeper. 'Keepers are often forced to spend long spells in and out of
a team because they can only play one position. Martinez is clearly trying to make sure he doesn't get fed up and make a move elsewhere.
A quality shot stopper
Kirkland is one of the best goalkeepers and shot stoppers in the Premier League. He has matured as a goalkeeper and now has much bigger presence in and around the penalty
area than he did during his days at Liverpool.
Kirkland is 29 years old and will soon be entering the last phase of his career. He is still as agile as a 20-year-old and this allows him to spring across goal to get
into great positions and make vital saves.
When a goalkeeper has a bad run of form and loses his place in a team, it can often be a while before he gets that place back. This is because two or three players are
often competing for one place and goalkeepers are restricted from playing in other positions.
"We need Chris Kirkland at this football club, there is no other issue at
all. He is a great competitor, has great standards and his role at the football club is vital, playing or not playing," added Martinez.
Betting advice
Sooner or later Kirkland will be back in the number one jersey for Wigan. He stops a lot of goals so back the team to do well when he is between the posts.
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