Bristol Rovers goalkeeper James Belshaw admits recent weeks have been challenging after losing his place in the team, but after being restored to the side last time out, he believes he has grown from the experience.
Belshaw was a hero of last season's promotion campaign and as the reigning player of the year, there was surprise among the fanbase when Joey Barton made the decision to sign and start goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe – on loan from Brentford – for five games until Belshaw was recalled for Saturday's 3-0 win at Oxford United.
Barton's decision to bring in 23-year-old Balcombe, who had been on loan at League Two Crawley Town in the first half of the season, and drop Belshaw was motivated by Rovers' poor defensive record and a desire for more competition for places, with player-goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola a different, more old-school style than the modern sweeper-keeper Barton wants between the posts.
