Gilks: I Let Past Managers Affect Me

Blackpool ‘keeper Matt Gilks has said that he holds a ‘slight grudge’ against some former managers who didn’t play him.

The former Rochdale man had played just ten games in two years before this season and admits it got to him.

Simon Grayson and Glenn Roeder both signed the 26-year-old but failed to play him on a regular basis – the latter didn’t even given him a minute’s football.

Under Ian Holloway he’s thrived between the sticks, knocking Paul Rachubka off top spot and being a key member in the promotion campaign.

‘I don’t resent past managers,’ said Gilks. ‘It is their decision, but I probably wasn’t given a fair crack of the whip and I suppose I do hold a slight grudge. I had to keep going but I did let it affect me. I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t. It affected how I approached my football.

‘When I was at Rochdale I played every single game for two and a half seasons. Every single game. I left to join Norwich and go on to better things, but Celtic’s keeper David Marshall joined at the same time and I was on the bench for a season there. So that was difficult, but it was even harder when I came to Blackpool and found myself on the bench again. It meant I basically had two years out, but this year I am back doing what I should be doing and I am really enjoying it.’