Robbo lauds Latics No.1

GOALKEEPER Connor Ripley

ATHLETIC hero Connor Ripley has been hailed as the best goalkeeper outside of the Premier League.

The on-loan Middlesbrough man (23) put what his boss described as a "difficult" week on a personal basis behind him in keeping an eighth clean sheet of the season against Wimbledon.

Only Brighton's David Stockdale (10), from the Championship, can beat that record.

Ripley's latest shut-out featured his usual calm, assured handling and one very brave save at the feet of Jake Reeves in a one-on-one situation in which he collided painfully with back-tracking team-mate Ousmane Fane.

While Athletic's 'goals for' tally has been lacking in the league this season, Ripley's heroics have drawn plentiful praise from all quarters.

VITAL

Not least from his manager, who worked with him last season at Motherwell and who looks back on acquiring him on a season-long loan as a vital piece of business.

"Connor has had a few personal things to deal with in the week I don't want to talk about," Robinson said, "but his character showed through.

"I think 'Rippers' is the best goalkeeper in the division and I wouldn't argue he would probably be the best goalkeeper in the Championship as well.

"He has got a massive future ahead of him and it's a massive coup for us to get a player of that quality.

"I had a personal relationship with him at Motherwell, which was probably the reason he came. We are delighted with him. He is a super boy around the place as well."

Ripley's challenge to further improve his clean sheets record will come under serious scrutiny in Athletic's next two league games.

This Saturday, Robinson's men go to Scunthorpe's Glanford Park. While seeking back-to-back wins over the League One front-runners, The Iron have yet to be beaten on home soil this term.

The only club with a better home record than Scunthorpe are Port Vale, who Athletic face on Tuesday, November 22 (7.45pm kick-off) at Vale Park.

ATHLETIC'S youth team travel to face Romulus FC tonight (7.45pm kick-off) knowing that a victory will grant them a home tie against Birmingham City in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

Romulus saw off Notts County in round one and will provide tricky competition for Tony Philliskirk's youngsters at the home of Sutton Town FC.