Former Norwich City and Chelsea youth goalkeeper Ben Killip explains why he's aiming to be 'boring' at Hartlepool United

Pools continued their unbeaten start to the 2020-21 campaign with a 0-0 draw at home to Bromley on Tuesday night.

It was the second straight clean sheet for Killip, who has conceded just once from open play in the opening four games of the season.

Dave Challinor's side are currently sitting top of the National League after four matches, but Killip isn’t getting carried away.

“It’s very good, 10 points from four games we can be very happy with that,” he said.

"If you’d offered us that at the start of the season we’d have taken your hand off. It’s positive, we played really well as a team, probably the best we’ve played throughout the whole season.

“We want to keep improving and creating chances, it’s a shame none of those resulted in a goal but we keep moving forward and stay in the moment.”

Killip has enjoyed a fairly quiet start to the season in between the sticks. He hasn’t been called into action too much in the opening four matches but has always been there to make the saves when required.

“It’s a different style of play for me this year with the way we play as a team,” added the England C international.

“We’re a lot more commanding on the ball and in control of games and it impacts how I have to play. I’m not going to have a lot to do so I have to stay switched on.

"As the gaffer says, it’s down to my concentration and decision making when I do get called upon to be alert and be there to make saves.

“I prefer it when we’re winning and I don’t have to touch the ball to be honest! I’ve been in teams where we’ve been struggling and not winning games so I’m used to doing a lot.

"Towards the back end of last season, we were starting to see that as a goalkeeper I’m not going to have as much to do in games, I’ve just got to be there and ready when called upon.

"I spoke with Ross about not getting carried away and not trying to chase games and just doing what I can to do my job and being boring almost.

“We’ve spoken a lot about different goalkeepers at different clubs and the different roles they play. At the top teams, their goalkeepers often don’t have a lot to do but they’re always calm and in the moment to do a job when needed even if it’s once every three or four games almost.

"It’s just about being boring and being basic and doing the simple things well.

"There’s no need to chase something and ping the ball 60 odd yards just to feel involved. It’s just about playing it simple and keeping a calm head and not rushing out or coming for the ball when there’s no need for it.”

A message from the Editor:

Hi, our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club every single day, home and away, 365 days a year.

This depth of Pools coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at the Hartlepool Mail, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package.

You'll find all the details at www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/subscriptions/sports

Your support is much appreciated.