For any goalkeeper, it is imperative that you can trust the defence in front of you, and that is exactly what Luke Southwood feels he has at Bristol Rovers.
The goalkeeper played the entirety of Rovers' fixture against Coventry City at The Memorial Stadium and made two top saves in the first half to deny Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Brandon Thomas-Asante before eventually being undone by an own goal after the break.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden doubled the Sky Blues' advantage ten minutes before full-time, but it was a strong defensive performance from the Gas, who stood strong for most of the fixture to defend their box well.
Southwood is a new addition to the Pirates after joining from Bolton Wanderers in the summer. Speaking to BRTV after the pre-season fixture, Southwood enjoyed the test Coventry provided and was pleased with how his side defended.
"We were just saying in the changing rooms what a quality team we played against tonight, and obviously all the positives we showed off the ball," he said. "The lads really showed that we can defend the box, not just the back five; it's the whole team, and there are a lot of positives to take.
"You can see tonight we are under a lot of pressure. There were a lot of balls in the box, a lot of threaded passes, but I thought all the boys did so well. We defended their attacks and two moments of quality to undo us, but that’s what they’ve got in the locker.
He later added: "There is also plenty to learn from. I think on the ball, there is obviously a lot we want to get better on, and that will obviously come, but there were so many positives off the ball that I think will be so important come the start of the season.
Southwood not only has a presence in Rovers' goal with his shot-stopping and ability to claim crosses, but also with his communication. The 27-year-old could be heard in every corner of the ground, with his booming voice bellowing out instructions to his defenders.
A goalkeeper is in a position where they can see everything on the pitch and have a level of responsibility to communicate any information he has to the players ahead of them.
"I feel like as much as it is good for the lads, it is good for me as it keeps me locked in," said Southwood. "It keeps me in the game and in tune, and obviously, I'm trying my best to give the lads any information and to plug the gaps and fill the holes.
“To be fair, the lads are brilliant. They showed it tonight. Obviously, they know what they are doing as well, but I'm always there to try to give some reminders.
"When I'm communicating, my job is to try and spot the danger before it happens, and I think, on the whole, we did that a lot tonight. So, it's something we are going to have to do moving forward, and there will be times where we need to grind out results, and it will look a lot like that today. Hopefully we are protecting the lead, though."
The Pirates have played five games in their pre-season schedule, with only their trip to Oxford United on Saturday left to go before Darrell Clarke's men host Harrogate Town on the opening day of the Sky Bet League Two campaign.
The fixture against the Sulphurites is what all the players are working towards, with Southwood sure they will be ready.
"We can't wait. We know there is a lot of work between now and next Saturday, but we all can't wait. We mentioned in there that there is plenty of work for us to do between now and then, but we feel like we will be ready for Harrogate.
"It feels like such a team that’s together. It feels like we all have each other’s backs on and off the pitch. It feels like such a well-spirited group. Obviously, that’s only going to help us in the season when there are tough times and times we need to ride out together. That’s definitely a changing room in there that has everyone's backs."
