‘Day continues to work his socks off for this team,’ says Stevenage boss Sheringham

Teddy Sheringham (Image: Archant)

Like the opposition goalkeeper this weekend, Brian Jensen, Day hit the age of 40 last summer.

Speaking about his keeper, Sheringham says no matter the age of any of his players – young or old – if they continue to be able to perform at the level required they will still have a part to play in his side.

Day was dropped earlier in the campaign following the arrival of Jesse Joronen from Fulham, but after the loanee picked up an injury in November Day once again returned in goal and has been a consistent performer since.

“I would say it’s a little bit easier for goalkeepers to play on later in life but still it’s tough training. When you look at Chris Day out there he works his socks off to keep himself in shape and he’s in very good shape, which is why there’s no qualms about having Daisy in goal.” Sheringham said.

“He has saved us a lot of times this season. He made a fantastic save against Leyton Orient early in the game [last weekend] which kept us at 0-0.

“He’s been outstanding and I’m glad to have him here. I’m glad we’ve kept faith with Daisy when a lot of people would have looked at his age and thought ‘no, he needs to be discarded’.

“I played on until I was 42. Managers gave me a chance. Why not give other people a chance?

“That goes for other people in the side who are getting older and the same with youngsters coming through. If I think you can do a job, you could be involved.”

Sheringham played for the likes of Manchester United, West Ham and Day’s former club Spurs before hanging up his boots in 2008.

Asked whether it was the heart or the head that decides it’s time to stop playing, the Stevenage boss said: “I think it’s the desire.

“Everyone thinks all you’re doing is a couple of hours training a day but when your body starts aching and joints are not moving as good as they can and you have a couple of knocks it feels a bit harder.

“You have a big game coming up and look at the players you’re playing against and you think he’s a big bruiser and I’ll get another whack on top of the whack I got last week and do I need that?

“You start asking yourself all these questions. In fact you don’t ask these questions of yourself. You just know. When you start asking the questions that’s when it’s time to pack up.

“If you don’t ask yourself those questions you’re still enjoying life as a footballer and want to get yourself out there and commit yourself to a team game you want to be involved in.”