Alex McCarthy No.1

[Ian Royal]

The lad's doing well and I think we could afford to lose Fed if we had to now.

But he will make mistakes over an extended period and let in goals he ought not to. It's just the way it's gonna be as a relatively inexperienced and young keeper.

[Turns8]

He also looks to roll the ball out to the fullbacks on occasion...which makes a pleasant change from the kick-fest of recent times...

[Top Flight]

McCarthy was outstanding at Eastlands. Very impressive display. He was so assured, came and collected numerous crosses and corners. Got his body in the way of a number of shots and his kicking was accurate too.

He even managed to get a hand to Richards bullet header, but wasn't able to keep it out.

He seemed a little nervous in his first couple of games, kicking the ball out in to touch a few times. But he is really growing with every game and is looking like he really will be a top drawer keeper in the coming years.

For me, he has already done enough to keep the shirt and I would like to see him now given an extended run in the team to build up his confidence and gain match experience. I think it has taken him just 3 games to show that he is a better stopper than Feds. Sorry Feds.

McCarthy is now Reading's number one!

[Svlad Cjelli]

They both seem to be accomplished shot-stoppers, but for me McCarthy seems in control of his box a lot more than Feds.

Also, I can't get rid of the feeling that Federici is always just a few seconds away from a calamity - I don't have that feeling with McCarthy.

[Snowball]

They both seem to be accomplished shot-stoppers, but for me McCarthy seems in control of his box a lot more than Feds.

Also, I can't get rid of the feeling that Federici is always just a few seconds away from a calamity - I don't have that feeling with McCarthy.

+1

[seahawk10]

They both seem to be accomplished shot-stoppers, but for me McCarthy seems in control of his box a lot more than Feds.

Also, I can't get rid of the feeling that Federici is always just a few seconds away from a calamity - I don't have that feeling with McCarthy.

+1

Yes, watching the game yesterday I had the feeling that we have another Joe Hart on our hands. The keepers physical builds are very similar:

Hart:
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1]

McCarthy:
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)

[mr_number]

Agreed that he's looked good in the two cup games, but he was very shakey at Palace (maybe still nerves I guess), and seemed to make quite a few odd decisions/ late decisions. But he does look like a prospect for sure.

[Jeffers217]

Agreed that he's looked good in the two cup games, but he was very shakey at Palace (maybe still nerves I guess), and seemed to make quite a few odd decisions/ late decisions. But he does look like a prospect for sure.

That's because he had Matt Mills and Ivar Ingimarsson in front of him who couldn't defend for toffee. It's been an absolute god send those 2 players getting injured as Zurab is outstanding and Gunnarson is another who gets the ball on the deck and passes it. It's a shame it's taken injuries for the actual "footballers" to get into the side but I'm certainly not complaining now!

[roadrunner]

They both seem to be accomplished shot-stoppers, but for me McCarthy seems in control of his box a lot more than Feds.

Also, I can't get rid of the feeling that Federici is always just a few seconds away from a calamity - I don't have that feeling with McCarthy.

Same. If there really is top flight interest in Federici we'd do well to cash in this summer. Especially if losing him means not losing someone else that we will struggle to replace.

[roadrunner]

They both seem to be accomplished shot-stoppers, but for me McCarthy seems in control of his box a lot more than Feds.

Also, I can't get rid of the feeling that Federici is always just a few seconds away from a calamity - I don't have that feeling with McCarthy.

+1

Yes, watching the game yesterday I had the feeling that we have another Joe Hart on our hands. The keepers physical builds are very similar:

Hart:
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[1]

McCarthy:
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)

At one point the northern monkey commentator on ESPN claimed he wasn't the tallest of keepers when he managed to stretch out an arm and tip the ball over. You'd hope they'd do a little research when they see the team sheets.

[PEARCEY]

He looks an absolute natural. I think he could go a long way in his career. Feds will struggle to regain the shirt.

[bagman]

Considering he has had a different back 4 in almost all his 1st team games I think he has been brilliant. All young goal keepers will make mistakes, so for once be tolerant because I believe we have a real gem on our hands !

[fruits]

Considering he has had a different back 4 in almost all his 1st team games I think he has been brilliant. All young goal keepers will make mistakes, so for once be tolerant because I believe we have a real gem on our hands !

Great prospect,commands his area, great positional sense and confidence. If he is n´t sold could be our greatest keeper ever.
Fedders has got a battle royal on his hands to be nº1 again.

[Maguire]

He looks an absolute natural. I think he could go a long way in his career. Feds will struggle to regain the shirt.

Nah, he'll have it back as soon as McCarty fook something up and you lot are all on here going "it's too soon for the lad, why is McDermott playing him when we've got an international on the bench?" etc etc

He's done well in the games that I've seen although he can't really kick properly.

[PEARCEY]

He looks an absolute natural. I think he could go a long way in his career. Feds will struggle to regain the shirt.

Nah, he'll have it back as soon as McCarty fook something up and you lot are all on here going "it's too soon for the lad, why is McDermott playing him when we've got an international on the bench?" etc etc

He's done well in the games that I've seen although he can't really kick properly.

I like the "you lot" reference. This from someone who slagged off Shane Long I seem to recall Mags. Selective memory Mr Maguire?

[Maguire]

He looks an absolute natural. I think he could go a long way in his career. Feds will struggle to regain the shirt.

Nah, he'll have it back as soon as McCarty fook something up and you lot are all on here going "it's too soon for the lad, why is McDermott playing him when we've got an international on the bench?" etc etc

He's done well in the games that I've seen although he can't really kick properly.

I like the "you lot" reference. This from someone who slagged off Shane Long I seem to recall Mags. Selective memory Mr Maguire?

What's Shane Long got to do with a thread about Alex McCarthy?

I am unwavering in my dislike of Long - no fickleness here. Sell him ASAP i say.

[PEARCEY]

In answer to the question you are inferring fickleness attributable to the likes of myself although if you read the threads on Long, Kebe, Pearce etc you will see I have defended these players consistently in the past. You clearly don't like Long and are critical of him which really wouldn't be much different from some on here criticising McCarthy. You are expressing an opinion on players just like others do. Can't see the difference myself.

[The Rouge]

Think McCarthy looks great and I would back him to have an even greater career than his father Mick.

[Maguire]

In answer to the question you are inferring fickleness attributable to the likes of myself although if you read the threads on Long, Kebe, Pearce etc you will see I have defended these players consistently in the past. You clearly don't like Long and are critical of him which really wouldn't be much different from some on here criticising McCarthy. You are expressing an opinion on players just like others do. Can't see the difference myself.

I didn't really mean it personally PEARCEY - "you lot" just meant this board at large, which has amply demonstrated that its collective opinion shifts like the wind depending on what happens each Saturday afternoon.

The point is that he's had a couple of decent high-profile games and suddenly he's being tipped for an England cap, nailed on as No 1 for the foreseeable future etc etc. The moment he has a poor game (and he will, because he's yougn and human), the very same people will be calling for him to be dropped.

Bit of perspective please, Hob Nob.

[PEARCEY]

Fair enough.