I was wondering if anyone thought that Alex stands a chance of taking Fraser Forster’s England spot for the World Cup? He played 3 games for the U21 side back in 2010-11, but has dropped off the radar in recent years. Now he seems to be the first choice keeper in the Premier League and has impressed many with his shot-stopping and his command of his area, has he caught Southgate’s eye?
Butland Pickford, Heaton? probably all ahead of him if fit. Alex has played right into contention though. Probably end up taking Hart as third choice Bertrand probably although Rose will play if fit.
He has it all to play for! I don't like Butland much, and Pickford looks out of sorts, so I wouldn't mind him going.
With injuries to the likes of Heaton both McCarthy and Pope have a chance of being in the squad to be looked at in the upcoming March friendlies.
Not sure if he has done enough to be included in the England set up, just yet, but he has my confidence. It’s great knowing that we have a keeper who will come for and catch crosses, rather than just punch them. It’s great having a keeper whose starting position, for over hit through balls, makes him a comfortable favourite to collect the ball, rather than have a keeper who doesn’t know whether to stick or twist. He also seems more agile than FF, as proved, IMO, by his save from the deflected shot at WBA. This isn’t meant as an anti FF post, but I think Alex is showing himself to be a better, all round keeper.
Hart Butland and Pickford will be the 3 I'd imagine, barring injury of course. Pope probably more deserving than McCarthy if they choose to look at another option. On a little bit of a tangent I was watching BT Sports equivalent of Soccer Saturday and they had Shay Given on there watching our game last weekend. He said he speaks to Fraser pretty regularly as they knew each other at Newcastle and he is really not happy being on the bench and the fact that it is a World Cup year as well has added to that. Wonder if he doesn't get his place back this season if he will be trying to move on in the summer, depends if playing is more important than wages as can't see anyone paying him what we do and he still has ages on his contract. He could be a good option for a Chelsea/City to boost their homegrown numbers as a number 2 though if he chooses that route.
Unfortunately to get into the England setup it's usually more about last man standing than merit. I reckon we will have enough injured keepers for him to get in.
My interest in England has waned a little in the past few years - as much because of their "following" as anything else - so can't say I'm too bothered whether the boy plays for England. As others have said,he looks a decent keeper and that'll do for me. I realise that we are desperately short of good keepers in England but VVD's suggestion that Rose or Bertrand would be more likely to play in goal seems a little left field, but hey.
And of course Pellegrino hooked him off after 68 minutes... (but his replacement was involved in the equaliser tbf)
McCarthy has been fantastic since he came in. Although I think a part of that is just how bad Forster was before he was replaced. Even Artur Boruc would look like Manuel Neuer compared to FF.
