Ali's Wigan stay hands Bogdan a vote of confidence
7:50am Thursday 9th September 2010 in Sport By Lynn Ashwell
OWEN Coyle reckons Ali Al-Habsi was becoming “stale” before leaving to join Wigan Athletic on loan in the summer.
In the light of Jussi Jaaskelainen’s impending three-match suspension for his red card against Birmingham City, the Wanderers boss has resisted the urge to recall the Oman international goalkeeper from the DW Stadium.
Coyle claims he has no fears about thrusting youngster Adam Bogdan, pictured right, into the spotlight for his first Premier League start this weekend against Arsenal at the Emirates.
And he believes it would have been unfair to call on Al-Habsi, who has just broken into the first team at Wigan.
“Ali had to go and get league games,” the manager said.
“He’s a very good goalkeeper and I think he was beginning to get a little bit frustrated and stale because he was sitting behind Jussi as the number two.
“I had to be fair to him, and knowing that Adam had to progress, he could then step into that breach and move up.
“That’s what he’ll do at Arsenal. The proof will be in the pudding because there’s no doubt going to the Emirates will be a real test for him. But as a player, surely that’s the kind of game you want to be involved in.”
Had he been recalled, Al-Habsi would have been unable to join another Premier League club on loan until the January window.
And while sticking with relatively untested 22-year-old Bogdan for Saturday’s trip to North London would appear a gamble to some, Coyle claims the Hungarian stopper has the right character to cope with the pressure.
“He’s quite laid back, and as you usually find when you’ve got a few nationalities, there’s quite a bit of banter,” said the Whites boss. “He’s received a fair bit.
“When he went down to Southampton and he made his debut the fans were singing ‘who’s the big Wotsit in the goal’ because of his bright orange hair.
“The poor lad ended up with a massive box of Wotsits stuffed in his locker the next time he came into training. I just hope he’s not eaten them all.
“The big thing is that it shows Adam he has moved up through the gears and now he’s a big part of the first team squad. I think he’s evolved and got better for it.
“We’ll go to the Emirates with real confidence in him. He has established himself on the international scene now, got his debut at Southampton, recognising with all due respect that Arsenal at the Emirates is a totally different proposition.”
With Bogdan stepping up as number one, 19-year-old Rob Lainton will deputise for the first time at the Emirates.
And Coyle says the fact that four of his goalkeepers have worked within the first team remit bodes well for the squad.
“We’re fortunate in that we have Jussi, one of the outstanding Premier League performers, Ali, who showed that a great keeper he is last week for Wigan and Adam, another great young talent, and Rob Lainton who I also think has a tremendous chance of making it.
“We’re really well furnished in that department.”
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