Former Cardiff City and Wales goalkeeper Andy Dibble is one of manager Neil Warnock’s most trusted coaches.
Cwmbran-born Dibble is a key member of Warnock’s coaching staff and says: “We have three highly competent senior goalkeepers.
“Neil (Etheridge) has done well, while Alex Smithies is a good addition. He was brilliant in the Championship for Queens Park Rangers and played a lot of matches.
“We watched him many times and felt he was ready for the Premier League.”
Dibble, whose son, Christian plays in goal for Vanarama National League Wrexham, had 18 clubs during his career including the Dragons from North Wales, Cardiff and Barry Town.
He was discovered at the age of 12 when former Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Ron Healey was asked to go out and find young talent.
He succeeded by picking out Dibble, who says: “It was a sad week for me when Ron passed away in June this year. We became great friends.
“God bless him.”
Etheridge has been given the chance to start the season at number one ahead of Smithies, while Brian Murphy is an experienced third choice who played as an over-age player for Cardiff’s development team this week and kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Barnsley.
The Bluebirds have also signed young ‘keeper Matt Hall from Bangor, who is likely to go out on loan to experience more first team football.
Proud Welshman Dibble says he is Cardiff City ‘through and through’ as he works to ensure the Bluebirds have the best goalkeeping group available.
Neil Etheridge is first choice right now and is in excellent form, but there is no doubt Alex Smithies will be given his chance.
Phillipines international Etheridge heads off to the Asian Cup finals in January and Smithies has the chance to make an impact.
“It was a big step up for Neil to the Championship last season and he did well,” says Dibble. “I had eyes on him frequently for more than a season.
“People said his distribution needed to improve. He worked on that and get better as the season went on.
“Cardiff is my boyhood club. I am Bluebirds’ through and through. It’s great to be in the Premier League and we will work hard to try and ensure we stay there.”
Dibble talked about England players Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland plus current England goalkeeping coach Martin Margetson, a former Cardiff and Wales player.
“I saw Pickford playing for Carlisle on loan, Butland for Cheltenham and wanted to sign them while I was with previous clubs,” says Dibble.”I have to pay tribute to Martin, who did a great job with Pickford for Everton and England.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t sign either of them at the time.
“Pickford was outstanding at the World Cup. He proved he can go on and be number one for a long time. That hasn’t surprised me, he always had that ability.
“Goalkeepers don’t mature until they are 28-years-old or so. I saw him play for Carlisle when I was at Rotherham and wanted to sign him on loan. It was the same with Butland, but neither happened.”
Dibble has high hopes for Hall, effectively Cardiff’s fourth goalkeeper who was signed from Bangor City.
“Matthew is 20-years-old and played men’s football at Bangor last season,” he says. “We had him in for two or three days at the end of last season and he has something worth working on.
“Playing men’s football has certainly been beneficial. Our plan going forward is not for Matthew to play under-23 football, but to go out on loan and play in the Conference.
“We hope, and believe, he has a good future ahead of him.”
Bluebirds goalkeepers
Neil Etheridge
The Bluebirds’ number one. Played a crucial role in Cardiff’s promotion season and has been sensational in the Premier.
But he’s away for the Asia Cup finals and could miss eight matches. That would give Alex Smithies the chance to break into the first team.
The Filipino international has been outstanding this season, saving two penalties already, and has improved drastically under the guidance of goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble.
He was always an excellent shot-stopper, but has impressed with his distribution.
Etheridge could miss Spurs (home), Huddersfield (home), Newcastle (away), Arsenal (away), Bournemouth (home) and Southampton (away) plus the FA Cup third round tie early in January.
The Philippines are in a group with South Korea, Kyrgyzstan and China in their Asia Cup group. They play Korea on January 7, China on January 11 and Kyrgyzstan on January 16.
The top two teams in each of six groups plus the four best third team progress to the knockout stages.
Alex Smithies
Etheridge has the number one shirt, Smithies is 12. The former QPR goalie will get his chance when Etheridge goes to the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup finals.
Smithies, a 28-year-old former England youth star had been a mainstay and fans favourite at QPR since moving from boyhood club Huddersfield in 2015.
He played in 43 of the QPR’s 46 league games last season. He joined Cardiff for around £4m.
Brian Murphy
Waterford-born goalie, now aged 35, who played for Cardiff’s development team against Barnsley.
Former Manchester City, Oldham, Peterborough, Swansea, Bohemians, Ipswich, Portsmouth and QPR ‘keeper who will be settled at number three.
Played football, gaelic football, rugby union and hurling as a youngster and wanted to play as a rugby fly-half.
Had rugby trials with Ireland, but ultimately decided not to pursue when Manchester City offered him a youth place.
Matthew Hall
A 20-year-old former West From trainee who joined Cardiff City from Bangor City.
Will be given the chance to shine at under-23 development level this season. Bangor were paid a nominal compensation fee because Hall is under the age of 24.
He had a successful first season for Bangor in the Welsh Premier League, keeping five clean sheets in 13 appearances, when the North Walians finished runners-up to The New Saints, but were relegated because of problems off the pitch. They failed to obtain an FAW domestic licence.
Warren Burwood
An 18-year-old from Gorleston in Norfolk who has played for the under-23 development team. Warren completed the schoolboy programme with Norwich City before joining up with the Bluebirds in 2016.
Jordan Duffy
Aged 17. Joined the Bluebirds from Plymouth Argyle. Confident with ball at his feet, capable of producing big saves. Joined Cardiff just over a year ago.
George Ratcliffe
Aged 17. Welsh goalkeeper who is commanding, reliable and composed. Has been with the Bluebirds since he was a young schoolboy, signed his apprenticeship a year ago.
Played at under-18 and under-23 levels last season.