I think it would be extremely beneficial for Gleeson to bide his time with the Timbers, he is definitely going to be the one which can step up and take Perkins place, in some respects I rate him a lot more than Perkins, but he still needs time to mature to the role at MLS level.
AND LO, IT CAME TO PASS... PERKINS GONE WITH MONTHS LEFT IN SEASON AND VETERAN KEEPER BROUGHT IN TO MENTOR GLEESON AS THEY GROOM HIM FOR STAR ROLE:
Note former All White Gavin Wilkinson is interim head coach now and general manager, after a falling-out with coach John Spencer, the Scots former Chelsea striker who was fired early July. Means he has total control over signings, hence bringing in Hogg also. (He's not interested in remaining head coach long-term but will retain the position till the end of this season). Portland have been struggling and decided to start overhauling the squad early. However, fans are turning on Wilkinson and blaming him for the club's problems - they don't like the trading of the popular Perkins for what they see as a lesser keeper (see posts by fans beneath this article):
http://www.portlandtimbers.com/news/2012/08/portlands-wilkinson-keeper-swap-its-upgrade
PORTLAND'S WILKINSON ON 'KEEPER SWAP: "IT'S AN UPGRADE"
GM/interim head coach believes move makes team stronger in near-term and is a nod to the future
PORTLAND, Ore. – A mainstay starter, a veteran leader and a fan favorite.
If the surprising trade of Portland Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins for Montreal’s Donovan Ricketts (above) said anything it’s this: nobody is safe as the club rebuilds in the midst of a disappointing season.
“It’s an upgrade, in all honesty,” interim head coach and general manager Gavin Wilkinson said after the team’s training session Tuesday. “Troy is a fantastic person and a great goalkeeper. He was a tremendous acquisition for the club two years ago. But when you sit down and you have staff meetings and you give everyone an active voice and the unanimous decision is this is what’s right for the club, you do what’s right for the club.”
WATCH: Wilkinson discusses trade
And while Wilkinson said the swap of high profile ‘keepers makes the Timbers stronger in the near-term, it’s also a nod to the future.
Waiting in the wings is highly regarded New Zealand U-23 international Jake Gleeson and rookie Joe Bendik. The style of 35-year-old Ricketts, at a lanky 6-foot-4, is a better fit to mentor the 6-foot-3 Gleeson, Wilkinson said, seemingly accelerating the young goalkeeper’s development timetable.
“Ricketts accepts that he’s a mentor for those two, that one day one of those two is going to surpass where he is,” Wilkinson said.
He continued: “We need to find out what we’ve got in these ‘keepers and give them the opportunity to be successful. I think you’ve seen we are willing to give one or two young players a chance, and I think that’s very beneficial for the club.”
Gleeson, barely back with the club 24 hours after his stint with the New Zealand Olympic team, said he’s looking forward to the opportunity should it arise.
“This definitely came as a shock to me,” Gleeson said. “I’m still kind of getting my head around it now. We’ll find out more when Ricketts gets in and see how he fits in.”
Wilkinson also addressed the leadership role left by Perkins, a seven-year MLS veteran.
“Donovan Ricketts is a leader,” Wilkinson said. “When you have a guy who has played 90 international [caps] and traveled around like he has and has an understanding of different cultures, has been successful with many teams, we’re adding to that. We’re not taking away from it in any factor or in any way shape or form. We’re actually adding leadership to this group through a player who has been there and done that.”
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Ricketts is a Jamaican international keeper and former Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City and LA Galaxy keeper.
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Jake Gleeson interviewed at training last week on return from Olympics - light training, still not fit enough to play. (This is an outstanding fans' site which has regular interviews with players at training by fans, the most up-to-date news, opinions etc. and well worth checking-out for latest on the two Kiwis at Portland):
http://www.stumptownfooty.com/2012/8/7/3226701/more-portland-timbers-training-quotes-jack-and-jake-talk-troy