TEACHER Vince Bartram believes his pupil Shwan Jalal is heading straight for the top of the class.

Since being reinstated as Cherries’ number one, Jalal has been in exceptional form, with his performances one of the major reasons behind the revival of Eddie Howe’s team.

Having conceded just three goals in eight matches, including five clean sheets in seven outings prior to Tuesday’s 3-1 win at Exeter, Jalal has a brilliant recent record.

And, when on top of his game, Cherries’ goalkeeping coach Bartram thinks there is no better stopper in League Two than Jalal.

“The very first day he came to pre-season I liked what I saw because he’s got the attributes,” said Bartram, who made 132 league appearances for Cherries between 1991 and 1993.

“He’s big, strong, has good movement, a solid base and his hands are good.

“When his confidence is high, he’s as good as any of the keepers in the league – that goes without saying.

“It’s not a problem at the moment, he does things naturally when his confidence is high.”

It could have turned out differently for Jalal, though, as he lost his place in the team when youngster David Button arrived on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

But his positive reaction to this, coupled with some Button errors, soon saw him recalled.

“He lost his place to David Button but he took it the right way and responded,” explained Bartram, who went through a similar experience during his career at both Gillingham and Huddersfield.

“I didn’t think he had done much wrong in the first place and felt he was a bit unlucky.

“But with David coming in he could’ve taken it the wrong way, but he’s come back.

“Whether it was a kick up the backside that helped concentrate his mind, I don’t know.”

Bartram, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal keeper, added: “Goalkeeper is a very difficult position and a lot of it is about belief and believing that you are the best.

“I’m not necessarily a great believer in having two goalkeepers of equal standing.

“The better clubs know who their number one is. That is better than having two people fighting for the place.

“But you need to be pushed and complacency can come into it.”

Jalal will be between the sticks this afternoon as Cherries bid to continue their fine run at Macclesfield Town today (3pm).