GOALKEEPING coach David Coles has hailed the instant impact of Kasey Keller - and backed Alan Blayney to return stronger from his West Brom and Watford experiences.
With Antti Niemi (knee) and Paul Smith (thumb) both currently about a fortnight away from full fitness, Coles took the decision last week to bring in the experience of Keller on loan from Tottenham.
And he admitted that the 34-year-old American was once considered as a potential Saints signing under Glenn Hoddle back in 2001.
Coles said: "It was not being detrimental on Alan, we just felt after the game at Watford we needed a little bit more experience at the back with Antti being out.
"We have got some important games coming and that is why we brought Kasey in. Alan has only played a handful of games and obviously a game like Pompey is not one to be taken lightly and we went for Kasey.
"I knew about him - I went to watch him play for Glenn Hoddle a few years ago. That was just when Paul (Jones) had his streak of eight clean sheets on the bounce and we had Neil Moss and we stuck with that."
After a mix-up with Andreas Jakobsson for Pompey's opener, Keller turned in a solid display which included an outstanding one-handed near-post save to deny Matthew Taylor late on.
"Kasey has come in with a wealth of experience," said Coles. "People have seen straight away his shop-stopping ability which is unquestionable."
Blayney had initially come in for the 2-2 draw with West Brom and the 5-2 defeat at Watford, but Coles, who has worked with the 23-year-old since he was a teenager, decided it was right to give him a temporary break from first-team action.
"It's not a slight on Alan - he has got a fantastic ability and I don't think anyone would doubt that the way he came in against Newcastle and Charlton last season," said Coles.
"Against West Brom he made some fantastic saves, but he knows he can play better. We've had a long talk and have gone through all the bits and pieces."
The recent weeks have been particularly frustrating for Smith.
He came in as a replacement for Paul Jones during the January transfer window in January for £500,000 after playing more than 100 games for Brentford.
Yet the 25-year-old has found himself nursing injuries on the two occasions that Niemi has been out.
"Paul gave it everything he could to play, but his thumb was just not ready," said Coles.
"He needed an operation because the tear was 80 per cent. The surgeon said it really needed to be done. He will be back to normal in about two weeks.
"He is unlucky, he is a fantastic goalkeeper.
"He is not injury-prone, he has never had a day out of training, but it's just the way your luck can go sometimes."
SAINTS goalkeeping coach David Coles is following up his popular book Goalkeeping: The Specialist with a new DVD to be launched next week.
It is part documentary following the Saints goalkeepers in recent months, but is also designed as a coaching tool with Coles sharing his expertise as he explains the technical, physical and psychological demands of being a goalkeeper. The DVD is based on real training-ground footage as Coles talks through and explains a variety of coaching drills.
It also provides a real insight into the character of Antti Niemi, right, with several hilarious out-takes.
"I've come up with the idea of seeing Antti in a different light," said Coles. "You see what he does throughout the week and there are his thoughts on what it takes to become a Premier League keeper.
"When people look at Antti on the field of play, they see that he is very cool, calm, collected and relaxed.
"That is also his manner off the field - it's just his laid back way, but it doesn't mean he is not totally focussed when he is playing and training.
"His mannerisms and style all come together onto the DVD. He has a very dry sense of humour and people will see a different side to him."
Goalkeeping: The Specialist DVD will be launched next Thursday, November 25.
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