Sideways Sammy

Oliver Dovin’s looking to be out for a major chunk of the season and the poor form of his understudies has necessitated a move for a goalkeeper in the loan market, with Carl Rushworth possibly being one of the best potential options that were available to Coventry City. A product of Brighton & Hove Albion’s youth teams, Rushworth has steadily worked his way up through the leagues with impressive loan spells with Walsall in League Two and then Lincoln City in League One, before proving himself a strong Championship goalkeeper while with Swansea City two seasons ago. A spell at Hull City last year saw him play just twice due to the club’s scattergun approach to recruitment, that had made him one of four senior options, that he was recalled to provide a second-choice option at the Premier League club for much of the back end of the previous campaign underlines that loan wasn’t a true reflection of his calibre.

Carl Rushworth’s primary strength as a goalkeeper is that he is capable of making big saves consistently and can thrive when the opposition are on top. While that doesn’t feel a particularly remarkable attribute for a goalkeeper, last year showed just how much of a difference having someone between the sticks who can produce those big moments and keep the team in games. Additionally, Rushworth has an excellent throw on him that can cover large distances and provide that ability to go quickly from back to front that is probably something that Oliver Dovin lacks, despite his comfort on the ball.

While it may raise some eyebrows to bring in a goalkeeper who is as good, if not better, than Oliver Dovin on a temporary basis while the Swede is injured, Coventry City simply could not have risked utilising the alternatives for an extended stretch of this campaign. With Oliver Dovin injured for such a long period for the campaign, with a recuperation period on top of that, the immediate needs of the team had to take priority over the development of a promising, under contract player. Signing a loan goalkeeper of Carl Rushworth’s calibre who can come straight into the team and produce performances in goal provides certainty in an area where uncertainty is especially disruptive. Whether Rushworth eventually makes way for Dovin or not, having a goalkeeper of his calibre for an extended chunk of the campaign could count make all the difference.