3rd choice keepers very rarely get used and most of us would rather be sat on a beach than on a bench in Ukraine too.
If someone gets injured, a replacement can be called up. Simples. As for Butland being better than Hart was at his age, I don't think so. He has done well this season in League Two (I watched Hart week in, week out - obviously!) but made several mistakes; moreso than Hart did. However, his call-up is fair enough IMO. Talented young keeper, a better prospect than any other alternative, and I can guarantee he won't play. The experience will do him good.
This thread just sums it up really, too many people have the mentality of "well if they don't play for any of the top 4 prem clubs they should be allowed no where near the team". Fans and managers alike have had this backwards attitude for far too long. Look at Parker for example... why only recently has he made the team and is for a lot of fans one of the definite names on the team sheet? Was he no good when he was at "little old West Ham"?
It's because Butland's totally untested at a high level. That's not snobbery, it's just common sense. There have been times when players have been called up to the England team outside of the Premiership, Bothroyd and Nugent spring to mind. They just go to show how deceptive doing well at that level is, let alone being a young 'keeper with one season in League 2 as experience. There is a case for players only getting picked for bigger clubs, or certain players being immune from being dropped but there's little point in Hodgson trying to totally overhaul the squad and bring in too many debuatants for a championship finals.
Butland's played 24 games in League Two. I don't think that it's hard to make a case that he's too inexperienced at virtually any level.
