Huddersfield Town 0 Doncaster Rovers 0: Turnbull has it all taped for Rovers in stalemate

Both figured for England in four different age groups at youth level yet while Turnbull, now 28, made only 27 appearances for home-town Middlesbrough in seven years and just seven in four years at Chelsea, home-grown Smithies, at 23, has already made over 160 for Town in his 13 years at the club despite a couple of injury-hit seasons recently.

Turnbull is hoping he has now found a home at Doncaster after signing a one-year deal after being shown the exit door at Stamford Bridge by Jose Mourinho.

Both No 1s showed their quality on Saturday, Turnbull registering his first away clean sheet and Smithies, tracked by Chelsea in his early days, his first home shut-out of the campaign.

Turnbull, kept out at the Boro by Mark Schwarzer and at Chelsea by Petr Cech, revealed he had had Town’s eight-goal striker James Vaughan taped beforehand.

“I get clips from the club on opposition strikers and the goals they score,” said Turnbull.

“I got it from Chelsea, it’s what they used to do. I’ve tried to keep that here, to more or less help in what you may do in a one v one situation, what’s natural to him, what position he is in inside the box.

“Every chance is different, but it’s good to have it in your mind and I try to prepare properly for every game. Vaughan is a striker on form so I’m happy to have kept him out.”

Turnbull was at his best as Town turned the screw after the break, ironically looking more threatening when they reverted to 4-4-2 from the new 3-5-2 system designed to assist a passing game.

He twice showed great anticipation, making a block and also rushing out of the area to clear but must have been relieved when Vaughan produced an uncharacteristic fresh-air shot from eight yards.

Turnbull had also gone to his left to clutch a curling shot from Vaughan in the first period when Town had been indebted to an acrobatic clearance from their star man from a deflected shot from Theo Robinson.

Smithies had also shown his worth, flying to his left to keep out a bullet header from Chris Brown which looked destined to give Rovers a lead their early forceful play merited.

The Town goalkeeper also showed bravery straight after the break at the feet of former Town striker Robinson and was happy to share the plaudits with his goalkeepers’ union colleague.

Smithies said: “It was a hard-fought point but, as a goalkeeper, I was pleased with a clean sheet and I thought Ross made some good contributions for Rovers, sweeping up, taking crosses and making a couple of good saves.

“He did well, although he perhaps had a touch of luck in the first half where he missed the ball and seemed to take Vaughany out – the referee might have missed it – but, generally, he kept them in the game. He was probably busier than I was.”

Rovers also had a penalty shout denied when dominant central defender and Town captain Peter Clarke appeared to handle so a draw was a fair reflection of proceedings as Doncaster made it seven games without defeat against their hosts.

Both clubs are approaching a busy period, Town hosting Charlton tomorrow as Rovers go to Watford and it is something both goalkeepers are eagerly anticipating.

Smithies, in fact, is aiming for a successful streak which can make them play-off contenders – a position they were in last year until a second-half of the season slide saw them cling on to their newly-found second tier status.

“I think we have seven games in 22 days and I enjoy that, going from match to match and if you can get in a good run of form you want the games to come thick and fast,” said Smithies.

“We have had a reasonable start and are in a solid position. We finished last season in a dangerous position so we are in a lot more solid position now.

“The manager wants us to play a good brand of football and the players enjoy this style of play and we will work on at it and become fluent at it. Hopefully, teams will come to fear us because of the style we play.

“I think this has to be the best squad I have played in at Huddersfield. The chairman has backed the manager and the manager has brought some good players in, everyone being comfortable on the ball and everyone is a threat.

“Aiming for the play-offs may be optimistic but why not? We have started quite well, been quite solid and not conceded a hell of a lot of goals which is good. So why not look at the play-offs? A top half finish would be a good season but if you get into a good run of form you might see yourself up there.”

The latest player Robins has brought in, Jazz Richards on loan from Swansea, was unable to figure because international clearance from FIFA had not come through in time, despite the club having sent off the necessary paper work in good time.

It allowed Calum Woods to return from injury and his display at right wing-back will have given him a sound case for inclusion tomorrow.

As for Rovers and Turnbull, they too have enjoyed a solid start on their return to Championship level and the goalkeeper continued:

“We’ve got to be competitive in every game we play. We know it’s a tough league and we’ve got to play against big clubs, but we know we can be competitive and we’ve got to aim to beat these teams.

“It’s been excellent working with Paul Gerrard. I had a good chat when I came about what I wanted to achieve and while I had four fantastic years at Chelsea, I knew it was time to move on, so that’s what I’ve done. I’m happy to be here and happy to be playing.”