Danny's arrival can help Nathan to the next level (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Danny's arrival can help Nathan to the next level

7:31am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Sport By Simon Spurgeon

The arrival of Danny Naisbitt at Braintree Town can help take Iron goalkeeper Nathan McDonald to the next level in his career.

That is the view of manager Alan Devonshire, who signed former Cambridge United keeper Naisbitt last week ahead of the start of the season.

McDonald was ever-present in goal for Braintree last year, but Naisbitt got the nod to play between the sticks for the Iron’s opening fixture against Hyde on Saturday.

However, Devonshire insists the 33-year-old’s arrival is in no way an indictment of the form of McDonald.

In fact, the Iron boss feels it is a move that will help his young keeper progress in his career even further than the form that saw him win England C honours this summer.

Devonshire said: “I felt I needed to get Danny (Naisbitt) in to get some competition in the goalkeeping position and I thought he did OK in his first game. I want competition all over the park because you never know what is going to happen.

“Keepers can get sent off or injured just the same as anyone else can, but the situation we were in, we had no cover for Nathan.

“Nathan is 21 years of age and the potential there is fantastic.

“I love the kid and felt he just needed to have a rest, so I took that decision to put Danny in on Saturday.

“It’s absolutely nothing against Nathan.

“I have spoken to him and his dad and I’d like to think that Danny has come in to help him.

“He is 33 and has played in the Conference for the last ten years, so he can help Nathan with his progress – that’s what it is all about.”