IPSWICH Town specialist coach Malcolm Webster today predicted: "Andy Marshall is going to be a damned good goalkeeper for this club."The man whose advice did so much to help guide former Blues number one stopper Richard Wright into the full England side continued: "I think Andy's beginning to earn the respect and trust of the fans.

By Dave Allard

IPSWICH Town specialist coach Malcolm Webster today predicted: "Andy Marshall is going to be a damned good goalkeeper for this club."

The man whose advice did so much to help guide former Blues number one stopper Richard Wright into the full England side continued: "I think Andy's beginning to earn the respect and trust of the fans."

Former Norwich and England Under 21 keeper Marshall is now back in the Blues goal and part of a seven-game unbeaten run in league and cup.

Back in November, manager Joe Royle said that he was 'reluctantly taking Andy out of the firing line.' This followed the UEFA Cup exit in the Czech Republic to Slovan Liberec.

Paul Gerrard, Royle's former keeper at Oldham and Everton, came in for a month on loan from Merseyside before sustaining a knee injury. He returned to Goodison Park.

The 27-year-old Marshall has accepted his chance again and, with goals going in far more frequently at the other end, has looked increasingly confident.

The debate over Marshall has sometimes made for disputes among supporters. Angry scenes have caused stewards problems. Some fans have been upset by others getting on the back of a player recruited from Carrow Road the summer before last on a Bosman free transfer.

Working hard

Webster said, "There have been problems with the crowd, but it is becoming less and less.

"Hopefully this will continue. Andy and I will continue working hard together to try and make sure it does.

"I've worked on a few things with Andy that I feel have been beneficial. We don't just train every day together. We spend a great deal of time discussing situations too."

Webster is always looking to bring in new ideas and ways of helping his goalkeeping squad in general as much as he can.

In four games of late, he has worked with Marshall out on the pitch at half time while the rest of the players are in the dressing room.

Webster explained: "Nothing is carved in stone. I'm always trying something new. When Richard Wright was here on one occasion we went out at half time.

"With Andy it's become a bit of regular thing just recently including against Morecambe on Saturday when he'd had little do to in the opening period on a very cold afternoon.

"We talk about it at half time. We have a chat and if he wants to go out, then we go out.

"The boss Joe Royle comes in and speaks to everyone for five minutes or so and then Andy and I will have a discussion.

"Just lately we've been going out and I think it's been good for him. I think that 15 minute is a long time for a goalkeeper to take a break in the middle of a game."

n BECAUSE of an unplayable surface, tomorrow's planned reserve match between Ipswich Town and West Ham at Portman Road has been postponed.