Surely Mick wouldn't be that daft.. Bart has been one of the best (most consistent) keeper we have had for some time.. He has had a couple of indifferent performances recently (as have many others) but over the course of a season Bart will gift less goals than Gerken and putting faith in a good keeper like Bart more often than not pays dividends. (particularly as Gerks is no better) I've always though Gerks was a decent keeper but never far away from making a catastrophic ricket in matches. Bart is far more consistent
bart has to play, distribution is better, better shot stopper, better on crosses, better at commanding his area. he is just a better keeper all round.
My thinking is that he has kept the beard during his spell as number one.....so maybe Mick has said that Gerks will be given another shot ......so with his run interrupted Bart took the opputunity to shave.......superstitious lot these footballers......
