The saying goes that behind every successful man is a good woman – one of the most nonsensical phrases around.
What they really mean is that behind every Premier League goalkeeper is a good No.2 waiting to take his place if he slips up.
Which could explain why West Bromwich Albion decided to hand Boaz Myhill a new two-year-deal with a 12-month option in their favour.
It means the 30-year-old will remain as understudy to Ben Foster for the forseeable future.
And that can only be good news for Albion boss Steve Clarke, who called upon the Wales international earlier this season when Foster underwent a double hernia operation.
Myhill hasn’t played much for Albion since moving on a free transfer in the summer of 2010.
He has made just 13 Premier League appearances – briefly replacing an out-of-form Scott Carson during Robbie Di Matteo’s final days before standing in for Foster this season – and a further eight cup appearances.
Nevertheless, Richard Garlick, Albion’s sporting and technical director, claims the decision to commit Myhill’s future to the club was an important one.
“We’ve seen this season it is important to have a good No.2,” said Garlick.
“Boaz has definitely contributed to our success and stepped up when Ben Foster was injured. In the Premier League it is vital you have a No.2 you can trust in but also a No.2 that can push your No.1.
“Everyone at the club has faith in both of them and, with Luke Daniels, we’ve got a good set of three keepers who push each other in training and have a good understanding with each other.
“It is testament to the work Dean Kiely has done that we have such a strong unit where all the keepers are happy to support each other no matter who is playing.”
That ‘goalkeeping unit’ is key to any club. Training by themselves, with separate drills, routines and exercises, a synergy between goalkeepers and the coach assigned to them is key.
Albion coach Dean Kiely has been integral to Foster’s progress since his move from Blues.
And Myhill was happy to buy into that when pondering whether to stay at Albion or seek a move.
“The working environment is good, the dressing room is great and there are a lot of people’s company that I enjoy,” he added.
“Everything here is geared to success and we’re well looked after.
“My focus is preparing to play at the highest standard I can when required.
“My role at this present time is first to be as prepared as I can if and when I’m needed and, secondly, to help Ben as much as possible – and that’s what I’ve done.
“The working environment with Dean for me is another big factor in me staying here. Dean is a hard worker, a hard taskmaster, his service is quality, and he has great experience himself so you can always talk to him about different scenarios.”
