Doncaster Rovers: Stuckmann hoping for more clean sheets

Clean sheets are a goalkeeper's business and Thorsten Stuckmann feels his business could be performing better.
Thorsten StuckmannThorsten Stuckmann
Thorsten Stuckmann

The Doncaster Rovers keeper – who suffered a shoulder injury during Tuesday’s defeat to Port Vale – is pleased overall with the progress the club has made in recent months.

But he is disappointed with the lack of shut outs this season.

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Rovers have kept ten clean sheets in 35 matches so far this term but Stuckmann wants the ratio to improve.

“A clean sheet is a big bonus for me – I think it’s one of the reasons I get paid here,” Stuckmann said.

“I think defensively we’ve improved a lot and attacking-wise we’ve improved a lot.

“I’ve not had as many clean sheets as I’d have liked.

“I don’t really have a target. I think I played 19 games for Preston last season and had nine clean sheets which is quite good.

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“I want a clean sheet in every game and I think my ratio is 30 to 40 per cent.

“If I’m on this, I’m happy. If I get more, I’m really happy. If not, I’m going to have to keep working on it.”

Despite his own personal aims, Stuckmann insists he would always be happy to forgo a clean sheet as long as Rovers pick up wins.

He said: “As a goalkeeper, my aim is to keep a clean sheet.

“I did this against Fleetwood last weekend but it was 0-0. I’d rather win 3-1 and get three points than keep a clean sheet.

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“And a clean sheet is not just about me, it’s about the whole team.

“The striker is at the end of the product if he scores so I’m at the end of the product if we keep a clean sheet.

“If I’ve got nothing to do then I’m happy.”

The 34-year-old says he is pleased with the way the Rovers defence has settled into the 3-5-2 favoured by boss Darren Ferguson.

He said: “It’s been a bit of a change but I think it’s worked well over the last couple of months. We’ve got it in our heads and we know what we need to do.

Stuckmann was due to have an x-ray on his shoulder after suffering an awkward fall in the defeat to Port Vale.