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Neil Harris hasn't decided on his preferred goalkeeper for Gillingham with Aaron Chapman impressing against Crewe after replacing Pontus Dahlberg

05:00, 03 February 2022

updated: 09:04, 03 February 2022

Gillingham boss Neil Harris remains open-minded over the club’s goalkeepers.

Harris went for experienced Aaron Chapman on Tuesday night over loan stopper Pontus Dahlberg and the man between the sticks managed a clean sheet in what was his third league appearance for the club.

Aaron Chapman was picked to start by Neil Harris in his first game as Gillingham manager Picture: Andy Jones
Aaron Chapman was picked to start by Neil Harris in his first game as Gillingham manager Picture: Andy Jones

Dahlberg had come in under caretaker boss Steve Lovell, on loan from Watford, coming in to replace Chelsea’s impressive young keeper Jamie Cumming.

Dahlberg conceded seven at the weekend, having shipped three goals against Burton and another three versus Wigan, prior to a clean sheet against a shot-shy Shrewsbury side. The Shrews only managed one shot on target.

Chapman’s appearance was well received by the fans in the stands but Harris is looking forward to seeing more of the pair before he nails down a regular starter. Chapman had played in two previous league games, letting in five at Rotherham and two at Fleetwood.

Pontus Dahlberg was dropped to the bench on Tuesday night Picture: KPI
Pontus Dahlberg was dropped to the bench on Tuesday night Picture: KPI

Commenting on his decision to pick Chapman, Harris said: “I had a call to make, a team selection to make, I said to the players that everyone would be important and I can’t fault anyone because I have not been here and I can only go with my gut feeling on what should be the make up of the team.

“A decision was made on Chapper’s experience, that is all, first game in, no prep work at all, I just thought I would go with the senior goalkeeper, it doesn’t mean that will be the case going forward all season but I thought Aaron did well.”

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