Wes Foderingham and Steven Gerrard haven’t seemed to go well this season.
The Rangers manager has shown a strong preferance for Allan McGregor this term as he changed up his goalkeeper. McGregor has been in scintillating form, and won’t be dropped anytime soon.
This has led to Foderingham opening up on his frustrations at Ibrox. The former number one stated that he believes that he still is the top man despite being dropped.
Interestingly, however, Foderingham also said the following about being dropped from the starting XI.
“They have been very encouraging.
“Obviously ‘Greegsy’ has come in and done really well so I can’t have any complaints about being out of the side at the minute.
“But they have just told me to be ready because anything can happen in football and, if I do get the opportunity to go back in, make sure I keep the shirt.”
Words of encouragement
If we’re all being honest, the situation looks desperately bleak for Foderingham. He may be a former Gers star, but his chances of ever being number one again is minimal. He will know that and Gerrard will know that too.
Yet, this shows a terrific level of man-management from the Rangers manager. Despite knowing that Foderingham won’t see anything like the game-time he has done in recent years, he’s still got his goalkeeper’s back.
This isn’t a first from the Rangers manager either. In the past, he’s praised fringe men such as Lee Wallace, Andy Halliday, and Graham Dorrans. He knows how important it is to have a happy squad, and not just a satisfied starting XI.
In terms of keeping things fresh and ensuring each man is confident of their role, Gerrard can get the best out of his side. It’s one of the key aspects of football management to make your players satisfied even when they aren’t playing.
Backing Foderingham and giving him encouragement at this stage is the right thing to do. The Gers goalkeeper probably isn’t going to be number one ever again, but offering him the carrot of keeping the jersey will spur him on.
Just like Halliday, Dorrans, and Wallace, Foderingham seems like a happy camper despite his lack of game-time. That’s down to one man and one man alone – Gerrard.
