Eastie's career is on the up

Gabor Gyepes hailed Simon Eastwood as a keeper with a bright Pompey future after preserving a point at Preston.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Mar 2013, 10:00 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:18 BST
Simon Eastwood is beaten at Preston - but only after making a string of fine saves Picture: Joe PeplerSimon Eastwood is beaten at Preston - but only after making a string of fine saves Picture: Joe Pepler
Simon Eastwood is beaten at Preston - but only after making a string of fine saves Picture: Joe Pepler

The Blues had Eastwood to thank for keeping them in the game in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Deepdale.

The 23-year-old made a string of top-drawer stops to repel the Lilywhites.

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Eastwood was eventually beaten by a fine finish from Keith Keane with 13 minutes left.

But it was a performance which again underlined his promise.

And Gyepes admitted it was a boost for the defence to know they had a keeper they could trust.

He said: ‘Simon is a good goalkeeper.

‘We have seen that again with the saves he made.

‘He’s getting better as the season goes on. That is maybe down to belief. He made some brilliant stops.

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‘I have said I believe he can be a good keeper for a long time. It’s good for defenders to know you have a keeper to rely on.’

Gyepes acknowledged Pompey didn’t play at their best at Preston - but performances are now a world away from what they were.

He said: ‘We didn’t play as well as we have lately. But I remember the period when we were losing.

‘It was hard. We disappointed and frustrated. We knew that if we conceded the game was over.

‘It was really hard to play with that pressure. But that isn’t the way now.’

– JORDAN CROSS

Related topics:EastwoodPompeyPrestonThe BluesDeepdaleLilywhites