At least Butland won't have to worry about a big crowd That was the worst rendition of the national anthem I've ever heard
Have to strongly disagree with you JK, to give the start to a kid that has only played club football for Cheltenham, plus a very poor showing at the Olympics, over one of the stand out players in last season's Prem. is disrespectful to Ruddy and to Norwich! If you can't see that, I really don't know what to say!
I agree Butland shouldn't be playing, but disagree with the being picked over Ruddy. They had the exact same game time. I am not sure i will class that as being chosen over as that was obvious intentions before the game. That's the bit i think is the over reaction. "Butland was chosen over Ruddy". Just one player played second half the over first
A "very poor showing at the Olympics"!? Wow, seems everyone is overreacting/exaggerating tonight! No offence was meant by my post at all, but if people think Ruddy sharing 90mins with an excellent young keeper in a 'meaningless' friendly (especially when I'm sure everyone would agree England should now be looking at the youth players in friendlies) is an outrage then I dread to think what the posts on here will be if we don't take at least 7 points from our first 3 games this season.
thanks jk but disagree about playing young players unless they have ability to compete in starting 11. Need to start being consistent in squad selections in my opinions
You're making Ruddy appear about to take his pension, in GK terms he's still a babe-in-arms, Butland should still be trying to get in the under 21's to try and learn his trade! His first half positional performance tonight was shocking! Calamity James would have prevented that Italian goal!
I genuinely think Butland is as good as Ruddy. Being down here in the South-West and having a mate who supports Cheltenham I've seen him play a few times and (I know, I know - League 2) I honestly think his ability is at a very similar level to Ruddy's. He could definitely play in the Premier League in my opinion, even with his lack of experience.
JK - as we're near neighbours, I'm not getting int o slanging match, I hope you'll pop to Weston and buy me a pint, I think Butland is well on the way to being the next Loach! Too much pressure too young!
I think the point is he's one for the future, Ruddy is a better all round keeper - because of his extra experience at Premier League level, so should be Hart's first choice deputy - for the time being.
Maybe you're right about the 'next Loach' thing Dave. I was just a bit irritated to see people going off on one about such a trivial issue! I've been in Bristol for just over 3 years now and never been to Weston! Is that South-West sacrilege?
Big statement, but each to their own if that was the case though why did Birmingham send him out on loan? I think he is a long way off. He has massive potential, so why put the whole nations expectations on his shoulders. I agree about the whole Butland getting picked OVER Ruddy though, which is rubbish because they played the exact same amount of time.
I agree that all this fuss about who started in a meaningless friendly is completely bonkers! They both played a half each, Ruddy had a much better game so good for him. I'm sure he didn't complain in the slightest so I don't really understand why some people have a bee in their bonnets about Woy giving an international bow to an incredibly exciting goalkeeping prospect. Ok, he didn't have a great game, but he certainly didn't have a shocker either and mark my words he is going to be an awesome keeper in the future if allowed to develop properly. JR picked up his first cap tonight and kept a clean sheet against three time world cup winners so we should be rejoicing that rather than acting like a bunch of spoilt kids about who started and who didn't if you ask me
Just got in and seen that Ruddy played 45 minutes for england! Good for him. How did he do? How was he compared to Butland? Please avoid Norwich bias. Also what was the score?
Think he will play for them this year though, but i don't think he is a Premier League goalkeeper yet.