The signing of a new player – in this case, the addition of Ellery Balcombe for Bristol Rovers – signals the start of something new. That in turn applies to Anssi Jaakkola in this case, who has dropped to third in the pecking order behind James Belshaw and the new signing from Brentford.
The 35-year-old Finn is accepting of the situation as he eases towards the end of a commendable playing career that has taken in stops in six countries, with coaching now the primary focus for the former Reading, Kilmarnock and Slavia Prague keeper.
The three-cap Finland international has been Rovers' goalkeeping coach since the departure of Tony Warner in the summer, juggling that position with backing up Belshaw on matchdays and filling in for a smattering of cup games. Jaakkola admits that has been tricky, but with an extra pair of hands arriving in the shape of Balcombe on Thursday, he is happy to focus more on his coaching duties, which have something of an infectious appeal.
