RUFC - Cann 'Important to be patient'

Rotherham United goalkeeper, Steven Cann, made his first team debut on Tuesday night in the FA Cup replay loss to Aldershot. And, although the Millers lost three-nil, his Manager, Mark Robins, said the twenty-year old did nothing wrong.

'Steven's been with us two years now and has waited patiently for his oportunity. If I didn't give him another chance it wouldn't be good for his morale,' Robins told The Advertiser.

The 6ft 3ins 'keeper said of his debut, 'Apart from the result I think I did quite well. I had a few nerves beforehand but they were good nerves and I probably learned more in that one game than in a dozen reserve games. What I learned from Tuesday night, I shall take into the future.

'I've got good presence in goal and I'm a good shot stopper and my distribution is decent. And, I'll keep working and hope my time comes again.

'Andy Warrington has been superb and if it wasn't for his injury he would still be in the goal now. It's important to be patient and to grab the opportunity with both hands when it comes along.'

(and the ball Steven, grab the ball with both hands too!)

I said after the game on Tuesday night that none of the three goals Aldershot put past us were the young goalie's fault. I've also felt that Cann should have been given a chance last season in a couple of cup games to get him used to playing in the first team in case Warrington got an injury like he has now. Warrington is the back bone of our team and has saved us on more than one occasion already this season and, except for injury, is never going to be ousted from the number one spot. So, in my opinion, it's important for Cann to be tried out in the first team now and again.

Robins did try to get an experienced 'keeper in during the week but the deal fell through and I understand he is hopeful of getting in a 'keeper shortly, but has said that whoever he brings in has to be better than what we've already got. Saying that, an injured 'keeper and a rookie 'keeper isn't going to be too hard to better is it?

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