Boaz Myhill's return to the Hull City goalkeeping role is a must. As the final half a dozen games hove into view and the Tigers find themselves still struggling for confidence and cohesion, the restoration of our best custodian seems inevitable.
Matt Duke has done a sterling job since his elevation from the bench back in January, but his error-strewn, comical performance at Middlesbrough, just at a time when more than ever we needed a sound pair of hands, must surely return him to the substitute's role he has taken with such good humour in his five seasons at the club.
Myhill was dropped, it would appear, because of some doubt about his future - rumours were ablaze that Newcastle United fancied him after selling Shay Given - and so Phil Brown took him out of the firing line, as it were, while making no comment whatsoever as to whether a bid had come in.
Duke, who had only appeared in his Carling Cup and FA Cup leg-stretching roles thus far, was an eyebrow-raising choice when Brown put him in the team for a Tuesday night clash at West Ham United. Once the selection filtered through to the Tiger Nation, initial expressions of surprise were followed by a content acceptance of the situation. The rumour mill about Myhill was turning quite heavily, and while nobody wanted him to leave, we knew that Newcastle had some proper cash available after selling Given and would typically pay over-the-odds for a replacement. In the short term, therefore, Duke needed some football in case he found himself playing more often as no longer the heir to Myhill's throne.
Unfortunately, while Duke generally has played as well as one can expect of a goalkeeper whose defence is growing a little leakier by the week, he will never quite convince enough people brought up on Myhill's clear excellence. Myhill was a product of Aston Villa who ruled the nets conclusively during the two promotions prior to Brown's arrival, and had a terrific season in the Championship up to and including the last moments of Wembley and the joy it brought. Duke failed to make the grade as a youthful goalkeeper and was in the non-league pyramid with Burton Albion when the Tigers took a punt on him.
Only Brown has ever picked Duke for a league match when both goalkeepers have been ready and available. Peter Taylor only ever selected him for Cup ties and when Myhill was injured (rarely) or suspended (occasionally). Phil Parkinson barely knew Duke existed. Brown, however, gave Duke a short but convincing chance in the early part of last season while Myhill was stalling on a new deal, and has now given the affable keeper a long spell in the Premier League.
Duke had a shocker at Middlesbrough - misfielding shots, bad positioning, truly dreadful kicking - and unfortunately for him, the prejudices of those who think a non-league goalkeeper is always a non-league goalkeeper come flying out upon a solitary day like this. While that is an extreme viewpoint, and Duke is certainly a far better keeper than anyone the Blue Square Premier (or the two divisions above it, frankly) has to offer, the fact remains that we need our strongest and most agile, big-game goalkeeper in situ as we attempt to stay afloat in the Premier League through these last six matches. And that goalkeeper, very simply, is Myhill.
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