Justin Haber has no doubts that he made the right choice when agreeing to join Sheffield United this summer.
Earlier this month, Haber's move to the Championship outfit received a no-confidence vote from national coach Dusan Fitzel who told journalists the former Haidari goalkeeper will struggle to earn regular first-team football at the English club. Haber could be in danger of losing his no.1 jersey with the national team, Fitzel said.
"While I respect the opinion of the others, I still believe that this was the right place for me to go this summer," Haber told Maltese journalists at Bramall Lane.
"As you had the opportunity to see for yourselves, Sheffield United is a big club with a professional set-up that will certainly help me to develop as a goalkeeper.
True, so far I did not play for the first team but I have only been here for just over a month and I also skipped training due to my commitments with the national team.
"Still, I already feel that I have improved a lot in terms of techniques and positioning and I felt more confident when playing for Malta against Portugal and Albania. I hope that some day Mr Fitzel will visit us here at Sheffield United and see for himself the facilities and the set-up I'm working in. I'm sure he will have a change of opinion regarding my transfer."
At Sheffield United, Haber is currently lagging behind in the race for the no. 1 jersey as the more experienced Paddy Kenny, the 30-year-old Ireland international, and Ian Bennett, 36, are ahead in the pecking order.
"I know, I face a real fight for places here having two valid keepers like Paddy and Sam," he said.
"However, I know that I have to be patient and wait for my chance. In the coming weeks I will be playing for the reserves team. Hopefully, I will be able to produce some good performances to convince the manager to put me in the first team.
"I've been told by the manager that I have a future at Sheffield United so I just have to wait.
"Lately, it has also been mentioned that I could be loaned out to get some match practice. I have no problems with that as long as it will benefit the chances of establishing myself over here."
Manager Kevin Blackwell is pinning his hopes on Haber.
"Justin is a very talented goalkeeper," Blackwell, himself a former goalkeeper, said.
"What we like most in him is the fact that he is dedicated, trains hard and keeps pushing until he gets what he wants.
"Here at Sheffield we have two other valid goalkeepers, both approaching the veteran age. It's now up to Justin to show what he's worth. His attitude has been excellent and he has been an absolute credit to Malta. Personally, I have great faith in his ability and I think he represents the future of Sheffield United."