No goalkeeper in League 2 has kept more clean sheets than Gillingham’s Jake Turner.
There may have been some criticism heading his direction after the 4-0 loss to Sheffield United in the FA Cup – beaten with a shot between his legs at his near post for the opener – but with a record like his the former Newcastle United academy stopper has every reason to feel proud of his efforts.
Turner was handed the no.1 spot at Gillingham this season ahead of the experienced Glenn Morris and has repaid that faith with 10 shut-outs in the league and a couple more in the FA Cup.
Only Mansfield Town’s Christy Pym and Stockport County’s Ben Hinchcliffe can match Turner’s record of 10 clean sheets in League 2 this season, both playing for teams inside the top three.
Turner said: “The lads performed well against Sheffield United. I don’t think it was a 4-0 game, personally, I made a mistake maybe for one of the goals, but that’s the life of a goalkeeper, you have to try and move on and we got the win in the league the next game.
“On a personal note, (the clean sheets) are good, but it’s a whole collective, the defenders, midfielders and strikers, we all dig in to try and keep a clean sheet.
“It is something we practice as a whole team, the last few games I have not made many saves as defensively we have been excellent, from the attackers all the way back. When I am called upon hopefully I can help the team out.
“If we get a clean sheet then I am happy, but the three points is the main thing.”
Turner helped the Gills to earn a point at Forest Green Rovers before Christmas in a goalless draw. Four weeks on and they face the same opponents again but now with three wins behind them including a first victory from behind, as they beat Accrington 2-1 last weekend.
Turner said: “We have not come from behind enough this season, to win games especially, so to show the character we did after going 1-0 down was massive for us, it shows how together the team is, it was a massive win.
“We have won three on the bounce now and hopefully we can make it four.”
