Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Jalal can steal Kasper's limelight
NEIL Moss believes his protégé Shwan Jalal could cut the mustard at a higher level with the Cherries star preparing to do battle with big-name Notts County counterpart Kasper Schmeichel. Cherries goalkeeping coach Moss is a big fan of Jalal and he reckons the Dean Court number one would not look out of place in League One or the Championship. With the spotlight likely to be on the two highly-rated goalkeepers when Cherries meet moneybags Magpies tomorrow (3pm), Moss has backed his man to do the business. Schmeichel, son of Manchester United legend Peter, comes with a big reputation, but Jalal is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in League Two and he proved why when earning a clean sheet in Tuesday's top-of-the-table clash against Dagenham and Redbridge. Moss, who plied his trade in the lower divisions with Cherries as well as in the top-flight with Saints, told the Echo: I think there's been no goalkeeper I've seen (this season) who is better than Jal. I look at League One and even the Championship and I strongly believe Jal would more than hold his own. He's experienced, he's a great age for a goalkeeper and he's still young enough to learn and improve. Moss, the fans' favourite who was forced to hang up his gloves in July 2008 because of a persistent wrist injury, puts Jalal's impressive displays down to confidence. His kicking is outstanding and he's turning into a very confident goalkeeper, he said. You can be the best technically but if you are not confident then you can look like the worst goalkeeper in the world. He's put the hours in and you can see the confidence oozing out of him. The back four wouldn't be able to play well if they hadn't got a good, confident goalkeeper behind them. If you spoke to the defenders, I'm sure they'd be delighted with the way their goalkeeper has been playing behind them. Schmeichel made a shock move to Meadow Lane during the summer as he became one of County's highest-profile signings when he transferred from Premier League big-guns Manchester City. Since then, the former Denmark under-21 star has established himself in the team and claimed October's League Two player of the month award. Moss added: I'm surprised he dropped down to League Two because it's a lot more difficult than players think it's going to be.