Joey Barton believes the arrival of Ellery Balcombe has already made a significant impact at Bristol Rovers as he competes with established number-one James Belshaw for the starting spot.
Rovers' defensive record – 45 goals conceded in 27 league games – has been their obvious flaw this season and Balcombe has been loaned in from Brentford to offer increased competition with Belshaw for the gloves in the second half of the campaign.
Belshaw had been ably supported by player-goalkeeping coach Anssi Jaakkola, who is now third choice, but Balcombe is much more similar in style and will provide fiercer competition
Barton has kept his cards close to his chest when it comes to the man who will start between the posts at Morecambe on Saturday, but he has been pleased with the impact Balcombe has made on the level of training at The Quarters this week.
"I don’t think we have a number one," Barton said. "I think we’ve got two good goalkeepers competing for a jersey.
"Training, from a goalkeeper’s perspective, has gone up this week. You can see there is competition for places and there is a new kid in town and everyone wants to show that they are the best goalie.
"That’s what we want. It certainly drives performance and since the boys have come in, the level has gone up. There will be more added to that and that’s what we need at this point."
Barton hopes the whole team will be affected in the same way once the January transfer window is complete. Three additions have been brought in so far and the manager is eying up to four more signings before Tuesday's deadline.
He expects the level of competition for places to go up with new players arriving, which in turn will bring the best out of those already at the club.
He explained: "That’s why the in January market you clear out the lads who go ‘We’re never getting in the team’ and bringing in lads who are ‘We’re in the team’ and then the lads who were in the team are then going ‘Oh, I mightn’t be in the team anymore’.
"It always brings out the best in competitive animals and our boys are no different. Let’s see how it transpires."
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
