Hatters keeper ready to make step up

ADAPTING to the physicality of men’s football is at the forefront of goalkeeper Lewis Kidd’s mind after he penned a new one-year deal at Kenilworth Road recently, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 19-year-old is yet to make his first team debut for Town, but was a regular on the bench last season after Kevin Pilkington left to join the coaching staff at Notts County.

On the aspects of his game that he needs to improve on for the current campaign, Kidd, whose hero is current England keeper Joe Hart, said: “It’s much more physical, it’s a man’s game now so I’ve got to step up.

“You’ve got crosses and you’ve got to be commanding, be strong and come through people to claim them.

“Communication is a massive part for a goalkeeper too, that’s something I can improve on.

“Academy football is very short, you play out from the back.

“In the men’s game, it’s longer, so kicking is more important too.”

Kidd is certainly in the right company to improve his game, with Town number one Mark Tyler having played over 500 senior matches, while goalkeeping coach Dmitri Kharine has played for Russia in a World Cup.

He continued: “Dimi and Mark Tyler have helped me out so much with their experience, if I can replicate anything like them, it will be very good.

“I’ve learned plenty of technical things and just watching them is a massive thing too.

“How they behave too, because both of them are very professional on and off the pitch, so I can take loads of stuff from them.”

Kidd, who spent time on loan at Swindon Supermarine last season, is hopeful the experience will put him in good stead for this campaign, and that he can push Tyler for the first team jersey.

He said: “I played about four or five times over the Christmas period (for Swindon).

“The standard was maybe not as good, but I was getting games, men’s games, which is important.

“Whether I’ll do that this season (go on loan), I don’t know, I’ll have to wait and see.

“Hopefully I can keep it (the number two role).

“I don’t know what’s going to happen with other people coming in.

“It’s going to help Mark perform as well.

“He knows that he’s got someone on his toes, who is going to push him to perform too.”

Kidd is also hopeful that Town can finally banish their tag as play-off losers this season and earn promotion to the Football League.

He added: “I think we’re going in the right direction now.

“We were unlucky last season, as we picked it up, but just missed out in the final.

“Maybe this is the season, hopefully it is.”

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