Michael Flynn believes that the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy has provided Bradford City keeper Simon Eastwood with the opportunity to find his form.
The on-loan Huddersfield Town keeper has produced penalty-saving heroics in two shoot-outs to see the Bantams into the last eight of the competition.
And as a result Flynn believes the 20 year old former Apprentice is now enjoying his best form in goal for City.
Eastwood, claimed his sixth clean sheet at Grimsby on Tuesday and team-mate Flynn believes there is still plenty more to come. Speaking to the Telegraph & Argus, he said:
“Easty has come through his tough spell. He was getting a bit of stick off the fans but he is a young goalkeeper and the first time he has played at a Club level.”
“He was coming to a big Club with big pressures and that always takes time but I think he has handled it and come through as a stronger goalkeeper.”
“I don’t think you can look beyond the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy for where he has got his confidence from. Saving those penalties will have given him a massive lift. Since then, apart from maybe one game, he has been absolutely spot on.”
“He’s definitely done really well in the last four and made two great saves on Tuesday. If Grimsby had got back to 1-1 straight after we scored, it could have been a different game.”
“That’s what he is there for and there’s no doubt about his ability. Easty is an outstanding shot-stopper and he’s going to learn the rest of it with more experience.”