McCarthy for England?

[urz13]

Surely after his recent performances he has to be in the frame for an England call up for the game vs Ireland on the 29th. Roy Hodgson was at the Liverpool game so will have seen his talents there - do you think AM will make the squad? And when is it released?

[maffff]

Not yet

[akranes]

ALF FOR ENGLAND, oh wait, I'm a couple of months late.

[St. Brynjar]

Maybe in the squad but he won't play and I hope not either - we need to keep him here.

[P!ssed Off]

I think he'll almost certainly be in the squad.
A few people were saying he might get a call up when he was in the team at the start of the season.
Probably wouldn't play if he is called up though.

[SCIAG]

Hart is more or less nailed on for first choice despite his iffy form.
Foster is probably nailed on for the second spot, primarily on reputation. Depends how Hodgson views Foster's rejection of past call ups.

That leaves one spot. I imagine McCarthy is competing for it with Forster and Butland (and Ruddy, when he's fit). He should get in ahead of Butland but might well not, again, reputation.

I think he deserves a call up and we should look at capping him to prevent him switching to Ireland, but wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the squad.

[P!ssed Off]

Hart is more or less nailed on for first choice despite his iffy form.
Foster is probably nailed on for the second spot, primarily on reputation. Depends how Hodgson views Foster's rejection of past call ups.

That leaves one spot. I imagine McCarthy is competing for it with Forster and Butland (and Ruddy, when he's fit). He should get in ahead of Butland but might well not, again, reputation.

I think he deserves a call up and we should look at capping him to prevent him switching to Ireland, but wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the squad.

The first I heard about McCarthy being Irish was from the stupid TV commentator from last weekend's game. As if he'd switch to Ireland given the general lack of English goalkeepers; I'd say he's almost guaranteed a minimum of 10 England caps over the next 5 or so years, whether he leaves Reading or not.

[AirRaidSiren]

His time will come. Hodgson isn't the type to ignore such talent.

Keep up the good work, plug away and maybe in the near future we may see our first Reading goalkeeper play for England, friendly or not.

[St. Brynjar]

His time will come. Hodgson isn't the type to ignore such talent.

Rickie Lambert might think otherwise

[Silver Fox]

At last year's FA cup semi final I asked my good friend Ray Clemence about McCarthy's chances and he rated him but said he was one "for four years or so". Don't know whether this timescale has changed now Alex has Prem experience

[Vic_Flange]

Quote="Silver Fox"]At last year's FA cup semi final I asked my good friend Ray Clemence about McCarthy's chances and he rated him but said he was one "for four years or so". Don't know whether this timescale has changed now Alex has Prem
experience[/quote]

Luvvie alert Luvvie alert

[AirRaidSiren]

His time will come. Hodgson isn't the type to ignore such talent.

Rickie Lambert might think otherwise

Lambert isn't good enough for a call up. Simples.

[SCIAG]

Hart is more or less nailed on for first choice despite his iffy form.
Foster is probably nailed on for the second spot, primarily on reputation. Depends how Hodgson views Foster's rejection of past call ups.

That leaves one spot. I imagine McCarthy is competing for it with Forster and Butland (and Ruddy, when he's fit). He should get in ahead of Butland but might well not, again, reputation.

I think he deserves a call up and we should look at capping him to prevent him switching to Ireland, but wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make the squad.

The first I heard about McCarthy being Irish was from the stupid TV commentator from last weekend's game. As if he'd switch to Ireland given the general lack of English goalkeepers; I'd say he's almost guaranteed a minimum of 10 England caps over the next 5 or so years, whether he leaves Reading or not.

There was an article around the time of the play off final saying Shane Long had told Trappatoni that Pearce, Morrison and McCarthy are eligible for Ireland- it was the first I'd heard about any of them!

There isn't that much of a lack really. Sure, we don't have as many goalkeepers as Germany or Spain, but we've got several capable backups to Hart- a few years ago I might have agreed with you. I think McCarthy would have to move to a bigger club to be taken as a serious challenger to Hart, but could probably be first choice for Ireland ahead of Westwood already.

[P!ssed Off]

The first I heard about McCarthy being Irish was from the stupid TV commentator from last weekend's game. As if he'd switch to Ireland given the general lack of English goalkeepers; I'd say he's almost guaranteed a minimum of 10 England caps over the next 5 or so years, whether he leaves Reading or not.

There was an article around the time of the play off final saying Shane Long had told Trappatoni that Pearce, Morrison and McCarthy are eligible for Ireland- it was the first I'd heard about any of them!

There isn't that much of a lack really. Sure, we don't have as many goalkeepers as Germany or Spain, but we've got several capable backups to Hart- a few years ago I might have agreed with you. I think McCarthy would have to move to a bigger club to be taken as a serious challenger to Hart, but could probably be first choice for Ireland ahead of Westwood already.

There is a lack of goalkeepers for England compared to other positions is what I meant.
For example, in every England squad (21 people or whatever it is) you might expect at the most of 5 strikers, centre backs, central midfielders etc.

This number is too small that for likes of ALF, Lambert, Holt, previously Kitson and Sidwell, to get a chance of a call-up.
There will always be 3 spaces for Goalkeepers though, a relatively large amount.

The ratio of realistic contenders to squad positions for outfield positions, for England, (with the exception of perhaps left back) is massive compared to goalkeepers.

[biff]

Although a seemingly world class shot stopper, his kicking leaves much to be desired. If he was to sort that out then i think we've got an international prospect on our hands, (for the time being...)

[Libertine]

The one glaring weakness in the England squad is, and has been for a long time, goalkeeping (thanks again to Rob Green for that gift during the last world cup ). In fact goalkeeping was to blame for England's woes in the last world cup. That draw with the US caused England to finish second in the group which resulted in you guys getting Germany as an opponent in the round of 16. There are a bunch of areas you need to address but the need to upgrade your keepers is at the top of the list.

Hart is good, he can do the job, but after him I don't see any other world class English keepers out there (ironically being a supporter of the US team all we do of note in American football is produce world class keepers, lol). Alex has all of the makings to be a world class keeper. I think it would behoove Hodgson to get him capped and officially into the English team especially seeing he is eligible for Ireland. He needs to work on his kicking as others have mentioned, and that can be improved on with more practice, but he has all of the natural ability otherwise to be considered world class at some point in the not too distant future.

I am just hoping the club holds onto him as long as they can...

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Hodgson will probally call McCarthy up so that the England goalkeeping coaches can have a closer look first hand.

[loyalroyal4life]

For the next Euros i reckon he has a chance to make the set up

[Hertfordshire Royal]

After seeing on match of the day on sunday how bad Foster and Green played I think he has a good chance! They were dreadful!

[RoyallyFcuked]

I think he is definitely already good enough to be in the England squad. He should go to the 2014 World Cup as No 2 to Joe Hart. He has the potential to be even better than Hart, and I may even go as far to say he already is. Hart hasn't been good this season, loads of mistakes. McCarthy just needs to improve his kicking and he will be well on his way, he is a future England No 1, no doubt about it.