“Try and maintain the high standards”: New Blades signing outlines his aims for this campaign

He’s not going to be going down without a fight.

That seemed to be the message that new signing Wes Foderingham wanted to get across when talking about the goalkeeping position at Bramall Lane this season. The stopper signed on a free transfer from Rangers, and would appear to be taking a backup role behind £18.5m man Aaron Ramsdale

Speaking on the club’s pre-season tour of Scotland (via @The_Bladesman), the 28-year-old described what his role was going to be, and by the sounds of it he isn’t going to be taking the role lying down, he’s willing to push things all the way to get into the team:

“Rammers has been here previously, fantastic young goalkeeper, come in full of energy. My job is to come in, work as hard as possible and when an opportunity arises make sure that I take it. “I’m sure he’ll (Dean Henderson) go on to do great things. Time to move on now and it’s myself and Rammers that are here. We’re going to push each other and try and maintain the high standards United have had.”

I’m trying to work out whether or not this is a good thing or not.

In one sense, it sounds as if we’ve got two goalkeepers who are ready to be number one, as opposed to the last few seasons where Dean Henderson was the established number one and there’s no way of him budging from his spot, with the likes of Simon Moore knowing his role as backup, which is good because hopefully the drop off in quality won’t be all that huge if and when the backup needs to take over (for cup games, injuries or suspensions etc.).

On the other hand though, you do wonder if that could perhaps allow some nerves to creep into the camp, with Ramsdale (presumed number one) perhaps not being too secure in his position knowing that he has got an experienced player breathing down his neck to take his spot.

The sense of security that Henderson had the past two seasons has gone, and the roles sound as if they could change at any given moment.

It’s certainly the start of a new era between the sticks at Bramall Lane that is for sure.