I’d imagine it has been a very frustrating close season for Harry Isted.
With James Shea injured, during the back end of last season, Isted had to watch on as a succession of emergency loan keepers claimed the green jersey – Jed Steer, Alex Palmer and Matt Ingram.
Unable to claim the green jersey due to a lack of first team appearances, daft rule if you ask me, Isted never let Luton down when he was called upon to play.
But this summer, with the transfer window open, Isted has watched on as the club has signed, not one, but two new keepers in the shape of Matt Macey and Ethan Horvath.
The signings mean that when James Shea does recover from injury, Isted could, quite probably, find himself fourth in the pecking order when it comes to the keepers’ jersey.
Now we can only ponder whether Harry will be happy with that situation?
Will it be to his liking, or will the competent young keeper be looking to find pastures anew?
Is he, to coin a phrase, in danger of always being the bridesmaid and never the bride?
Following our trusted format:
What To Do With Harry Isted?
Keep Him!
Loan Him!
Sell Him!
COYH’s
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I’d have preferred him to have had the play offs and then be sub the start of this season. I get why we couldn’t use him at the back end of last year cos we’d have had to have a child on the subs bench. But he knew how to play with the defence. Something the lad from Hull couldn’t have (no fault of his).
As it is, much as I would love him to stay and be first choice back and the cup keeper, with the signings, it would be fairer to let him go. I think he could do a job in league one or two easily. Even better if he could get someone like Northampton or Wycombe (even the franchise) so he wouldn’t have the expense of moving home. He’s earned that for his loyal service to us.
I think it will be better if he goes
Jones never gives certain
Players a chance
If I was Harry I would look for a new club! He is obviously not one of NJs blue eyed boys – he put in fantastic performances for us at the end of the season – he is getting old now so needs a new start with a manager that really cares for him.
eiher move him on, give him pay rise.he deserves better.COYH
he certainly does jimbo
Hi everyone, like all on here. We feel isted should have been given more game time. But you all have to face one fact and that’s horvath has come here for one reason and one reason only to get game time as a number 1 keeper before December an the world Cup. At present all three USA keepers are nu3 for their clubs. This represents his chance to be no1. Alan will disagree with me on this but nj knows this an can only help him with this. So unless he drops rickets continually he will start till December then go to the cup meaning isted will not be going anywhere as he an macey will fight it out for no1 while he’s gone. Also when he returns things may be different. It depends on how many games he plays in total. He may join us permanently.
But does the Championship not grind to a halt when the World Cup is on Chris?
Yup we have a month off. Mind you if there’s some overlap with training camps maybe Isted had to stay. But to be honest, we owe him. If we need a reserve then, bring a short term loan in or promote a kid for a week or 2. It will be no longer than that. And if we need a longer term reserve, the Jan window allows that
Oops true mh, but the reasoning does not change after the cups over. Shea may be back then njs attitude may change but do we want to keep horvath? That’s the key question?
I’d suggest it all depends on how he performs, although any rave reviews could increase the price if we didn’t specify one in the loan contract.
I feel Harry should have been given the chance to show what he can done week in week out. He has never been given the chance with us and I think its a shame as he looked a capable keeper . If I was him now I would be looking to move on it is offensive nj not that keen on him . Coyh