Gillingham keeper Alan Julian has been missing with a broken hand recently

by Luke Cawdell

Alan Julian has backed under-fire Gillingham keeper Lance Cronin after his error handed Bradford victory last Saturday.

Cronin replaced the injured Julian in the starting line-up five games ago but was singled out for criticism after he was out-jumped by Steve Williams for Bradford’s stoppage-time winner at Valley Parade.

A hairline fracture to his hand has kept Julian on the sidelines but he was quick to defend Cronin and keepers in general.

"It’s never easy when you first come into the side and I found it hard for the first few games," said Julian.

"There is so much responsibility on a goalkeeper because one mistake and you get punished.

"I thought Lance (pictured after conceding at Bradford) did well on Saturday. He made a good claim early on and his kicking was superb. He made a good save where he tipped the ball round the post but people forget those moments and that’s what it’s like being a goalkeeper.

"David Seaman will be remembered for Ronaldinho’s lob that went over him against Brazil in the World Cup but people forget about the great save he made from Ronaldo 10 minutes before.

"It’s unfortunate when you make a mistake but it’s about how you react.

"I get on well with Lance. He works hard and all I want is for Gillingham to be promoted, whether that’s with me in goal or Lance."

Julian is nearing a return to full fitness after recovering from an injury picked up in the first game of pre-season.

He carried on playing through the pain until scans revealed a break and he was rested.

He received some new
extra-strengthened gloves this week, which will give him added protection to avoid further problems.

The gloves have a hard plastic spine running behind the hand.

"There are the same type I used at (former club) Stevenage so they are not foreign to me and should give me extra protection," he said.

Julian claimed the No.1 spot following the departure of Simon Royce in the summer and he’s itching to battle Cronin and reclaim his shirt.

"It’s been frustrating watching as you can’t do anything about it but I do feel sorry for the boys as they have been unlucky," he added.

"If we stick together and get a few results, then the confidence will come. Of course, we want to be on top of the table but it’s still early days. We don’t want other teams to be getting too far ahead."

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