Goalkeeper pays tribute to coaching influence
Ross Worner said that the goalkeeping coaching structure established by Ashley Bayes kept him in good shape to make an impressive first-team return.
Worner kept a clean sheet in just his second game of the season to defy Portsmouth on Saturday and the 25-year-old paid tribute to Goalkeeper Coach “Bayzo” for getting him ready to take an opportunity that he did not think would come his way.
“The manager has shown his trust in me and ‘Bayzo’ had been doing everything he could to make sure I was ready for the opportunity if it arose,” said Worner. “I just have to keep going out there and giving everything. I am close to ‘Macca’ (Joe McDonnell) and I travel in with him every day. James Shea is a top bloke and we all push each other as hard as we can.
“I felt sorry for James when he got injured because he was having a very good season. I could not believe it when I heard that he had broken his foot. James has just been very unlucky, but he is a top goalkeeper who has done well all season.”
Worner, who was brought up in Haslemere, added that Saturday’s victory versus Pompey was particularly sweet.
“I am delighted to be back in the side,” said Worner. “I did not think this opportunity would come along, but now I want to grab it with both hands. To keep a keep clean sheet and get a result against Portsmouth was nice. A lot of my mates are Portsmouth fans and I could see a few of them in the away end!
“Jake (Goodman) and Deji (Oshilaja) threw themselves in front of everything and we just have to put in more performances like this. Deji wins everything and he does not stop running.”