Goalkeeping change afoot at the Reebok

In the dying embers of an awful match against Ipswich Town, Adam Bogdan put his body in front of a thumping effort that Bradley Orr struck on the half-volley but spilled the ball, allowing Michael Chopra to pounce and score the winner for the Tractor Boys right at the death.

It isn't Bogdan that is leaving the Reebok though (after all, he signed an extension just last week), it instead looks to be goalkeeper coach Phil Hughes (who there was controversy around from the beginning).

Fans may remember that upon Owen Coyle's arrival at the Reebok Stadium, he tried to oust then-head goalkeeper coach Fred Barber for the man from his Burnley staff, Hughes.

Jussi Jaaskelainen, a club legend brought up under Barber, was not happy with the move and threatened to quit the club if Hughes was handed the job. Eventually, Owen Coyle relented and Fred Barber was in the position until after Jussi's departure. Along with Jussi Jaaskelainen, Barber also trained Adam Bogdan and Ali Al-Habsi, so there is a bit of a successful pedigree there.

Now, Phil Hughes is one of the last remaining members of Owen Coyle's staff still on Bolton's books as Dougie Freedman continues his Reebok transformation. For all intents and purposes now, it seems like Hughes is on his way out as Crystal Palace, Dougie's old club, have just announced a goalkeeper coaching change themselves.

Ian Holloway has brought his Blackpool goalkeeping coach, George Wood, to Selhurst Park. Wood will be replacing former Palace goalkeeper coach Lee Turner, who, according to a report out of London, is on his way to Bolton.

Holloway, speaking in the South London Press, seemed to confirm the news:

"I was left with the situation. I didn't really want to change anything but Dougie has now taken Lennie [Lawrence] and Curtis [Fleming].

"He rang up and said he had offered Lee Turner something. We spoke to Lee and he felt he was right to go. He has been ultra professional.

"But how better to fill the hole than the fella that I had been working with for nearly a year at Blackpool? What he did with Matthew Gilks and our young lads was completely phenomenal. We're just very fortunate that he is going to come down."

Wood had a long playing career (27 years) and had stints with clubs like Blackpool, Everton, Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Cardiff City. The Douglas, Scotland-born goalkeeper also had four caps for his country.