Mark Bunn On Blackburn, Aston Villa And The Mindset Of A Goalkeeper | OneFootball

“I joined Spurs when I was 10 and stayed for four or five years. I was quite small for a goalkeeper, and that held me back. When I was released, I fell out of love with the game.

“I went back to Sunday league with my mates, started enjoying football again, and eventually got picked up by Northampton. Leaving Spurs helped me fall back in love with football.”

At Northampton, you made your senior debut. What are your memories of the club?

“Massive memories. I did my scholarship there and had a fantastic goalkeeper coach in Dave Watson, who later coached England. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be around now.

“Training with the first team every day, then getting my chance, was huge. As a young goalkeeper, there’s only one position, so you have to take your opportunity, and thankfully I did, which helped me move to Blackburn.”

Before moving to Blackburn, you had a loan spell at Kettering Town. How do you reflect on that learning experience?

“It was a huge part of my learning curve. I always tell young keepers to go out on loan and get first-team experience.

“Non-league football is physical with lots of long balls, crosses, and pressure. It’s very different from under-23 football. Dropping down the leagues toughens you up and prepares you properly.”

“I was doing well at Northampton, and although there was talk of a move, nothing happened for ages. Other players were getting moves, and I wondered if mine would ever come.

“Then we played Bolton in the cup, won 2–1, and I had a good game. The next day, the manager told me Blackburn had made an offer and accepted it. Within a day, I was gone. It happened quickly.”

Was the step up to Blackburn difficult?

“Yeah, it was a big step up. The training levels were so high. Paul Robinson was number one, so I wasn’t going in to start, and, in reality, I was more like third choice.

“My first couple of years were tough. I needed loans at Leicester and Sheffield United to get games and earn trust. It was surreal too because one minute you’re watching players like Robbie Fowler and Tugay on TV, the next you’re training with them.”

How important were your loan spells at Leicester and Sheffield United from Blackburn?

“Massive for my development. Leicester were top of League One and pushing for promotion, so there was pressure straight away.

“Then I had a full season at Sheffield United in the Championship, which was another step up. Those loans prepared me to play for Blackburn when needed.”

Did playing regularly in the Championship fuel your hunger to be a number one?

“Definitely. Playing every week was something I loved. I wanted to be number one, but it wasn’t going to happen at Blackburn with Paul Robinson there.

“That hunger is what pushed me to leave. I’d enjoyed being number one at Sheffield United and wanted that again.”

You then joined Norwich. How was your time at Carrow Road?

“Really enjoyable. Norwich is a proper family club who are well run. It was a great place to be.

“John Ruddy was number one and involved with England, so it was tough to get in. But when he got injured for most of the season, I managed to play nearly 30 games. Unfortunate for him, but a good opportunity for me.”

How did you feel when Aston Villa showed interest?

“It came out of the blue. I’d left Norwich wanting to play first-team football, but nothing came up. I went to Bristol City, failed the medical, and was devastated.

“Then Tony Parks rang me from Aston Villa, and within a day I was signing a two-year deal. It worked out well in the end.”

“It was a frustrating period. I probably came in as third choice and didn’t expect many games. The season was disappointing, and the fans turned on us.

“I got a few games, but overall it was a difficult time for me and for the club. It’s nice to see Villa doing well now, but back then it wasn’t good.”

As a goalkeeper not always in the team, how important is it to support the one who is playing?

“Very important. You have to stay positive and support whoever’s playing. Sometimes it felt like two away teams booing us at Villa Park, so you understand the pressure on the starter.

“Wherever I’ve been, I’ve had good relationships with the other keepers. Whoever wears the number one shirt, you want them to do well.”

You were known for saving penalties during your career. How did you prepare for them?

“We always did research. The night before or the morning of a game, we’d look at the penalty takers, check patterns, and make decisions on which way they’d go.

“It worked for me throughout my career, and preparation is key.”

Finally, Mark, who are the best players you’ve played with and the toughest you’ve faced?

“The toughest I faced was Sergio Agüero. Unfortunately, he scored two against me at Carrow Road. He was unbelievable.

“The best player I’ve played with is Jack Grealish. In training, no one could get near him. He was head and shoulders above everyone. He worked hard too by always staying late, doing gym work, and sometimes leaving the training ground at six. You can see why he’s done so well and won everything there is to win in the game.

“As well as quality players, I’ve also been lucky to work with top goalkeeping coaches who owe so much to, in particular, Dave Watson, Gary Walsh, Tony Parks, and Neil Cutler. All fantastic goalkeeper coaches.

“I take things from each of their sessions and use them in my own coaching now.”