You can't keep a Goodman down

GRANT GLAD OWEN HAS GRASPED HIS CHANCE - BUT REASSURES NICHOLLS HE HAS ‘TWO NO.1 KEEPERS’

- By STEPHEN PAGE

HUDDERSFIELD Town boss Lee Grant reflected on one of his “hardest decisions” in charge after opting to bring Owen Goodman back into the side for Lee Nicholls.

Goodman made his first League One start since August against Plymouth Argyle at the weekend, with the 21-year-old having been limited to making just two appearances in the EFL Trophy following his sending off at Barnsley.

Upon his arrival in the summer, Goodman was initially handed the starting spot for league fixtures.

The Crystal Palace loanee began promisingly, keeping four clean sheets in his first five matches, which helped Town to make a strong start to the season.

However, the stopper’s dismissal in the 3-1 defeat at Oakwell handed Nicholls an opportunity to cement his place in the side, with the 33-year-old going on to start nine of the next 10 matches in all competitions.