8:30am Wednesday 8th July 2009
By Andy Naylor
Albion boss Russell Slade expects Michel Kuipers and Graeme Smith to spur each other on as they battle for the right to be recognised No. 1.
Long-serving Kuipers faces genuine competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey following the capture of 26-year-old Smith from Motherwell on a Bosman free transfer.
Slade said: “We have two very capable keepers now. That is how I see it. The jersey is there to be earned and won and I think that will in turn bring the best out of both my keepers.”
Smith is the latest in a long line of rivals for Dutchman Kuipers, who was 35 last month.
Slade said: “His response has been absolutely terrific, just the sort of response that I wanted and, to be fair, expected.
“He is made of the right stuff so it was never going to be a problem. I think he will respond to it massively.
“I think it will actually get him back to his peak, which can only be good for the club.”
Whoever loses out between the posts will have the consolation of a guaranteed place on the bench in League One now that clubs are permitted to name seven substitutes.
The goalkeeping duel forms part of Slade’s desire to create strong competition for every position on the pitch.
Two Championship midfielders and a winger with a Premier League club remain on his list of targets.
Albion have also been linked with Derby County’s towering 23-year-old striker Liam Dickinson.
According to reports in the East Midlands they are among several League One clubs, including relegated Norwich, interested in the 6ft 4in Dickinson, who has yet to make his debut for Derby since signing from Stockport for £750,000 a year ago.
Slade has already landed two of Dickinson’s former Stockport team-mates, James Tunicliffe and Gary Dicker.
Some of the new signings will accompany the manager today (4-5pm) at the official opening of the new club shop in Queen's Road, Brighton, and launch of the new red and black away strip.
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