The Gr8 Keeper Deb8

[sandman]

Sharp reaction save? He practically punched it to the Spurs player.

[Divvy]

Brian confirmed Feds was fit last week, then he needs more time for 'another' injury he's carrying. Rubbish, he's been dropped and they're doing their utmost to dress it up as they know he's unhappy about it.

Not forgetting of course he has form for throwing his toys out of the pram for this in the past. When McCarthy filled in for him a couple of seasons ago, Federici wasn't installed as number one as soon as he was fit again, and McCarthy was at that point playing well. Federici threw a strop and Brian caved in very quickly to keep the peace.

Feds proved last season he is a fine keeper, but he has had a horrific start to the season and dropping him is fair game when you have someone of McCarthy's and Taylor's ability sat on the sidelines pushing for a start.

I'm fully supportive of McCarthy getting a run in the side, and I thought he made some spectacular saves today. He did also make a few mistakes, but that was to be expected in such a high-profile game. His confidence will grow, and the quality will once again come through. Overall I was pleased with him today.

[Divvy]

The story from BMc is that Federici has a nagging injury and they're giving him time for that to clear up. I understood it - although he didn't directly confirm it - that he could have played if required but they'd rather let it clear up to avoid long-term damage, on the phyiso's advice - which also means he definitely won't play at WBA.

Personally, I don't believe it for a second - I think this was a dropping, plain and simple, and seems Feds isn't to happy about it :

Is that an equivalent of twitter?

If those are Feds words things won't be good in the Reading camp!!

Apparently been deleted from Federici's account.

[cmonurz]

Looking in the mirror are you?


For f*cks sake, you can't get away with 90% right as a keeper in the PL! It wasn't that much of a 'sharp reaction' save and I reckon most GK coaches would knock off far more than 10% for parrying the ball back into that area.

The fan of Federici says you can't get away with 90% in the PL. Brilliant.

[Ian Royal]

Federici makes mistakes which cost us goals and points in three games: "He can't be dropped, it'll hurt his confidence, he just needs time to get into form."

McCarthy makes a few mistakes which don't cost us goals or points, in one game: "Drop him, he's rubbish!"

There's a word for this I believe. It begins with "H".

I'm going to give Feds the benefit of the doubt on the rumours about him throwing his toys and refusing to sit on the bench. But claiming he's not injured when his manager says he is, after he was withdrawn from an International match due to injury, had an injury in the summer and has been carrying obvious strapping in the games he's played.... well it doesn't do him a lot in the team player stakes.

And nor does posting a petulent message about short memories the first game he's not playing in after trio of games with costly mistakes.

Federici, time and again comes across as an unbearably arrogant, selfish thicko. Personally, if he was definitely fit, I'd have given him another two games. But his reaction has certainly done nothing to suggest he should be put back in the team. More like disciplined. And whilst McCarthy by no means had a good game, a kneejerk dropping sends the panic stations message as we're down to either our third choice keeper or back to the one who's not only throwing the ball in his net, but acting as an individual, not a team member.

EDITED: potentially conflicting message saying I'll give him the benefit of throwing toys and then saying he's throwing his toys.

[CayeneMatt]

We've had our differences, but credit where credit is due, a spot on post..

[Woodcote Royal]

McCarthy's performance smacked of a player who simply isn't ready to feature at this high a level of competition.

His double save at the start was very good but he's critically lacking in experience. His communication was non existent, his kicking wasn't there and he can't command his area. One for the future yes but nowhere near ready to be the first team keeper for a premiership team. This is a season where a good keeper can keep you in the league - see Al Habsi at Wigan as a prime example of that.

Despite the errors, today was easily the best performance by a Reading 'keeper this season.

Adding in McCarthy's age/experience plus the quality of the opposition (compared to Peterborough, FFS ) makes your observations simply laughable.

The hugely more experienced and far older Skippy makes McCarthy look world class in comparison.

If Brian McDermott really thought the sun shone (read and inwardly digest, Brendy) out of Steve Coppell's backside, Federici would not have been DROPPED before Christmas.

Nice one Brian, YOU, are a man.

[Avon Royal]

Federici, time and again comes across as an unbearably arrogant, selfish thicko.

There's a word for this I believe. It begins with "H".

[Ian Royal]

Federici, time and again comes across as an unbearably arrogant, selfish thicko.

There's a word for this I believe. It begins with "H".

I'm not selfish or thick.

[Avon Royal]

Federici, time and again comes across as an unbearably arrogant, selfish thicko.

There's a word for this I believe. It begins with "H".

I'm not selfish or thick.

No, you're selfish and thick.

[Ian Royal]

no, it's definitely just arrogant.

[Z175]

At the game I felt Mac wasn't at fault for the first two goals, but thought third looked a bit easy.. rewatching on sky I'm thinking the exact opposite. Defoes first was a scuff, fairly down the middle, and with less pace than intended. Two defenders are blocking the way, so Alex dives only when he sees the ball, which is just fractionally too late and his hand nearly got it. I have a sneaky feeling federici would have anticipated the near post was covered and dived slightly quicker, which would have saved it.
Second is a total mishit, bale shoots with his right but its an air kick and his left chips it unintentionally, McCarthys gone too early this time and its slowly over him, no great pace, no great height and again nowhere near the corner.

The third? No chance great finish in the corner.

I don't really blame him for the mistake either, he had to take a touch so was risky ball back with Defoe lurking, but then we have been spoilt having a keeper with such a good touch previously, most don't.

So neither goal was a clanger but im always disappointed to concede shots that aren't perfectly in the corner. Federicis most ardent haters would admit his concessions are either peaches or fk ups.

McCarthys still looking like he's going to be very good to me, but he's a way off regular premier league no 1.

Yet brians statement on the website is bizarre, and hints of a problem with federici. If he's so 50-50 today how can he definitely not make wba?

If feds did get upset then that's outrageous. Taylor anyone?!

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

One of McCarthy’s strength as a goal keeper is his decision making on corners and crosses he comes and collects which Federici does not do as he is often rooted the spot.

Spurs never put the ball in an area where the keeper could claim it they always cut the cross back on the ground to the penalty spot great tactics.

[Platypuss]

As mentioned previously, the second part of that save was only necessary because he parried the first shot out in front of him and right out into the centre of a keeper's 'no go zone' instead of out to the side.

Rather like Federici, you forget that the rather more important "no-go zone" is the one behind the keeper.

[Platypuss]

Federici, time and again comes across as an unbearably arrogant, selfish thicko.

AKA "An Australian"

[Wimb]

While you generally have to keep faith with a goalkeeper, you'd also have to look at it from McCarthy's point of view. Alex was dropped in our play-off run for 1 clanger against Sheffield United so why shouldn't he expect a chance after 2 or 3 dodgy games from a goalkeeper who isn't even 100% fit?

I don't mind who plays in goal but I think it sends a positive message to the whole squad that nobody is safe from being dropped and if you work hard you'll get a chance to prove you can do better. Brian has dropped Fedders, Harte, Karacan, Kebe and Griffin in recent seasons when they were seen as fairly 'undroppable' and I'm pleased we've got a manager who isn't overly loyal as was perhaps the case under Sir Steve.

[East Stand Ste]

tough one this....mccarthy looked no better...feds (before this season) has been solid as a rock....dunno maybe give feds another shout...that said mccarthy has the jersey now....whatever, back who ever is on the pitch and leave the gaffer to make the decisions

[Alan Partridge]

McCarthy looked understandably nervous to me. Good double save to start with but first Prem game on TV against a side like that, just looked a bit rabbit in headlights. Reading should stick with him though for a bit, ultimately this is new for the both of them and both will need some time especially McCarthy who is a young man, Taylor is the only one with albeit limited experience of the Premier League.

If what's written here about Federici refusing to be sub is true then he should be fined a minimum of a few weeks wages and told to stay away until he apologises to Alex, Bibbo, McDermott and the rest of the team who have supported him unconditionally over the last few years and made him what he is from what he was.

[Big Foot]

McCarthy looked understandably nervous to me. Good double save to start with but first Prem game on TV against a side like that, just looked a bit rabbit in headlights. Reading should stick with him though for a bit, ultimately this is new for the both of them and both will need some time especially McCarthy who is a young man, Taylor is the only one with albeit limited experience of the Premier League.

If what's written here about Federici refusing to be sub is true then he should be fined a minimum of a few weeks wages and told to stay away until he apologises to Alex, Bibbo, McDermott and the rest of the team who have supported him unconditionally over the last few years and made him what he is from what he was.

Agreed 100%

[West Stand Man]

If what's written here about Federici refusing to be sub is true then he should be fined a minimum of a few weeks wages and told to stay away until he apologises to Alex, Bibbo, McDermott and the rest of the team who have supported him unconditionally over the last few years and made him what he is from what he was.

As the club (ie the manager) used an injury to justify his replacement it would make it hard to put him on the bench. The issue will arise if he refuses to sit on the bench when fully fit.