Dear, Dean Austin....Goalkeepers

If the Rushworth deal can't be done quickly....

Dear Mr Austin,

This is clearly priority number one, for position number one. At the moment we have the unbelievably handsome Ben Wilson, who’s nearing legendary status for the club, but is in reality a League One keeper, and Oliver Dovin, full of potential having made a strong impression but who hasn’t stepped on to a pitch since the 28th March 2025. Not exactly what you want for a trip to the Emirates.

So, Carl Rushworth. It would be fantastic to sign him. We all know that. Not only is he a very good keeper, but he was also apart of a title winning team, cohesion (vibes) is important too. There is a point where you’re being held to ransom and you have to move on from a permanent deal. Another loan isn’t out of the question, and we shouldn’t turn our noses up at that. It would leave us money to invest elsewhere, and Dovin time to recover.

The issue if you can’t get Rushworth, is that you almost need two keepers to replace him. There are not many you can bet your house on to come in and be number one, and the ones that can have bugger suitors and massive fees (Trafford, Suzuki, Atubolu etc).

There’s going to be a lot of brinksmanship here, and Coventry are going to have to be patient.

If you’re not confident in getting it done, the approach should be to go out and sign a reliable keeper, who may end up being a number two if the GK merry-go-round works in your favour later in the window (and then Dovin could go out on loan).

Viktor Johansson fits that mould. Full international, who’s consistently been in the top 5 keepers in the Championship for the past four seasons. Not only are the goals prevented/ save percentage always strong, he’s also scores well for sweeping and high claims. Stoke played slightly less archaic football than Rotherham, which showed Johansson to be more than passable in possession too. You have a feeling Stoke would force us to massively overpay though.

Mathew Ryan has been around the block, and is still only 34. He’s always been good with his feet, but his form dropped off towards the end of his 123 appearances for Brighton (tick PL experience). Spells as a back-up at Arsenal & Real Sociedad followed. He performed well as first choice at AZ Alkmaar, before another back-up spell at Roma. His performances for Levante were a key part of them staying in La Liga last season, a save percentage close to 70% broadly inline with goals prevented metrics. Available on a free transfer.

Elías Ólafsson is FC Midtjylland and Iceland’s number one. 6ft7” and 26 years old. Strong save percentage and goals prevented data, ahead of Rushworth and Johansson in 25/26. Active off his line, coming for crosses and sweeping. Probably the weakest with his feet of those listed here. If the Danes can’t overcome a first-leg Europa League deficit against Besiktas on Thursday, that fee may drop slightly too.

Mark Travers at Everton is also worth a mention and is much better keeper than given credit for.

It’s honest conversation time, Dean. If Rushworth isn’t imminent or very likely. You should move for one of the above. Then you sit tight and hope that a deal for Rushworth, or loan options for the likes of Penders or Jörgensen become viable after the bigger fishes have made their moves.

Kind regards,

CCFC Analysis