Worksop Town coach backs loan keeper to fill the void

Tiernan Brooks is waiting for a chance. Pic by Lewis Pickersgill.

Malkowski was dismissed after a half-time bust-up in Worksop’s FA Trophy defeat to St Neots Town in October.

Worksop moved quickly to sign Notts County youngster Brooks on a short-term loan, and he has impressed in the last few friendly matches.

However, Brooks has been unable to make his competitive debut due to the hiatus of competitive football.

Hood has backed Brooks to succeed during Malkowski’s absence.

“I didn’t realise that Tiernan was as young as he is because he has a presence about him and he is confident, but not in an arrogant way,” said Hood.

“I believe that he could play in the football league because he is a great shot-stopper, and he has very good ability with the ball at his feet.

“I think Tiernan will come in and do a really good job for us and I have a lot of confidence in him.

“The inter-squad friendly and the friendlies we had post-second lockdown have proven that he can step into Seb’s shoes and fill the void as well as he can.

“Not to blow too much smoke up Seb, but he is a very good goalkeeper – you don’t get a cap for your country without being really good.

“Tiernan will fill that void, though, and I believe he will be able to perform at our level.”

Malkowski has been one of Worksop’s most impressive performers this season.

Hood heaped praise on the former Polish international, expressing his importance to the side.

“He has probably started this season like how he ended the season with Pontefract [Collieries]. He is just a consistent performer,” he continued.

“He is one of the best, if not the best in the league and possibly the league above in my opinion.

“He isn’t your typical ‘sweeper keeper’ that clubs want now, where he comes and takes everything and comes out of his box if it goes over the top, but he backs himself 1-on-1, and he is often 90% successful in those situations.

“Seb shows his vast experience, and that is the biggest reason why Paz [Craig Parry] has brought him to the club because he was such a key player for Ponte last year and if you lose him, he is a big, big miss.”