Budtz out to make Wilson's job easy

The giant Greek wasn't just the biggest name in the lower leagues when it came to totting up the letters in his name, he was also a fine keeper.

Konstantopoulos moved to Coventry in the summer and has started both games in the Championship for his new club this season.

To replace him, Pools boss Wilson signed both Jan Budtz and Arran Lee-Barrett, the latter getting the nod for the opening game at Luton a fortnight ago, with Budtz preferred for the ensuing victories over Scunthorpe and Doncaster Rovers.

Wilson insists there is nothing to choose between his custodians but Budtz plans to make Wilson's decision a simple one.

"I had a word with the gaffer and he said it would be down to whoever is performing best in training,'' said the Danish keeper.

"I got a chance at Scunthorpe and again against Doncaster, so I hope the shirt is now mine!

"It's a tough battle between me and Arran. It's a tough test and I have to be at my absolute best to stay in the team.

"I am not taking anything for granted at all. I am working hard in training and hopefully will keep my place for the next game.

"We work well together - all the goalkeepers at the club help each other. We have a good goalkeeping coach as well and he has loads of experience to hand out.

"Everyone can learn a lot from him every day in training and push on. Every day, every training session, every time I put my boots on I will learn something.''

Budtz ended last season out of the picture at Doncaster, but a loan spell at Wolves proved a real boon as he made a handful of Championship appearances.

"I want to play a lot of games this season. I had a taste for it at the end of last season when I went on loan to Wolves,'' he admitted.

"It was a great experience. Mick McCarthy is a top manager and I worked with Matt Murray, who is a very good goalkeeper. I learned quite a bit there as well.

"It helped put me in the shop window at an important time. All credit to Sean O'Driscoll, the Doncaster manager. He could have kept me there and not let me go. But he gave me the chance to play games and it was a good experience.

"I didn't see much of him or the other lads last week - it was just a case of well done and all the best for the season.''

Pools got one over on his old club last weekend, as they saw off Rovers at Victoria Park.

Budtz was beaten in the second half by a flying James Hayter header but victory, courtesy of Richard Barker's late penalty, set Pools up nicely for today's trip to Port Vale.

"I expect us and Doncaster to be up there at the end of the season - I think we will be OK,'' he admitted.

"Doncaster are supposed to be one of the promotion favorites, but we beat them last week. We were very good on the day and we want to continue playing that way.

"If we can continue to press high up the field and have a go at teams I think we can do really well.

"Winning the last two games has done a lot for us. The gaffer has put a lot of work in to get a good squad with good players and a lot of experience.

"Everyone knows what their job is and we have a very good squad.

"When I came in I was made welcome straight away, there is a very good atmosphere in the squad.

"Last season went very well for the club and all the lads are running high and buzzing. They all want to do well again this season and there is a lot of healthy competition.''

Wilson, who was part of the BBC Radio Five Live commentary team on Wednesday night when Northern Ireland beat Liechtenstein, could have Godwin Antwi available this afternoon.

The central defender, on loan from Liverpool, missed the closing stages of last week's win after suffering a hamstring injury.

He was initially ruled out for up to a month, but the Ghanain trained on Thursday and may resume his partnership with Micky Nelson.

"He was a concern on Saturday but is making a good recovery, which is great from our point of view,'' said the Pools boss.