Fraser McCarthy

McCarthy!!!!

 

St Alex after yesterday's wonderful performance not just McCarthy if you please. Lol

 

McCarthy getting even better....GKs have to play to truly get their eye in and Alex is doing that. He was fantastic yesterday....unlike in the past the Saints defence do give a keeper plenty of practice.

 

It's easy to say now, but Fraser has never done it for me? He just doesn't shape up as a top class keeper, his decision making is poor, his command of the 6 yard box, his distribution and on it goes. Even when he went on a very long run of not conceding a few seasons back, it was more to do with the excellent back 4 at the time?
I feel sorry for his current position as his confidence must be shot, but I wouldn't like to see him back as our number one, regardless of what league we are in.

 

I think that we can safely say that Fraser's Saints day are numbered unfortunately, but good luck to the bloke in the future.

 

I agree with dell Boy, he's been flattered by having the likes of Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand, Wanyama, Romeu, Spiderman sat in front of him.

I'm no expert but I've coached kids goal keeping and have played in goal throughout Tyro League, Schools, College, University and Soton adult leagues, and I've never been a fan of Forster from day one. The first thing that struck me was how slow off his line he is, time and time again. This comes down to speed of thought and reading the game and can only partially be taught. Add to this his poor kicking, slow foot-speed and lack of commanding his box and you get an average keeper. Giver him his due, he is one of the best in a one-on-one situation, mainly down to his stature and isn't a bad shot stopper if the ball isn't hit hard and low.

Going back to before McCarthy got put in the team, you could see the lack of confidence in the defence as they never knew whether Forster would come charging out, or come for a cross and this should be something defenders don't have to worry about. McCarthy has been top drawer since he's come in and is now showing the form that got him linked with England in the past. His display on Saturday was phenomenal and could well give us hope of staying up.

Watching McCarthy closely (as I do as a nerdy ex-keeper), reminds me of watching Schneiderlin in a weird way. My non-Southampton supporting mates used to ask me why Schneiderlin was so highly rated as they don't see him do much, but as we know, it was all the small things that he did effortlessly week in, week out that made us sit up and take notice - not 35 yard barnstormers or dribbling round 4 or 5 players. McCarthy is the same, his footwork, coming for crosses, reading of the game, communicating and kicking (all the bread and butter stuff) are done naturally, but they're not the things you normally get noticed for.

If you haven't guessed, it's McCarthy all the way for me!! Bring on The Swans - COYR!!!

 

I have always had doubts about Fraser's health. Think Jaws in the Bond movies. He has an excess of growth hormones in his system....I think the increase in size was an advantage while he was young, but now he is getting clumsy and slow. I really feel for him, but he is no longer able to compete with other keepers available.

 

Cracking post but can we beat Everton first please?

 

Oops - that's just a given!!!