Alex McCarthy No.1

[Snowball]

He's not as fat as Federici so that has to be good.

Give him time.

[Scarface]

I personally think Andersen is the better long term option, but take nothing away from McCarthy, he was excellent last night.

It's defo time to cash in on error prone Federici

[Archie's penalty]

An impressive figure of a man, LOOKS much more like a keeper than Afed.

Very impressed with him last night. Hope he goes on to have a long, successful career.

[RG30]

I personally think Andersen is the better long term option, but take nothing away from McCarthy, he was excellent last night.

This. I'm a big Federici fan but if we're forced to cash in on a player, then it would be hard to argue with a decision to cash in on him purely because we have sufficient depth in the squad. But equally, Andersen could have another blinder for the Danish U21 this summer (assuming he is still eligable) and decide it's time to move on after spurning interest from Greek clubs last summer.

[andrew1957]

I personally think Andersen is the better long term option, but take nothing away from McCarthy, he was excellent last night.

This. I'm a big Federici fan but if we're forced to cash in on a player, then it would be hard to argue with a decision to cash in on him purely because we have sufficient depth in the squad. But equally, Andersen could have another blinder for the Danish U21 this summer (assuming he is still eligable) and decide it's time to move on after spurning interest from Greek clubs last summer.

Think McCarthy and Andersen are neck and neck to be fair. Most seem to think Andersen is better but both have performed equally well on loan - don't forget McCarthy played 45 times for Yeovil last year and was excellent all season. He was also called up as an England under 21.

Much as I like Fed if we don't go up I think it would be best if he goes to the PL to give these two young players a chance to step up and fight it out. Hopefully both are stars.

[Woodcote Royal]

It's clearly only one performance but we have several others coming up to see if it was a one off.

One the other hand, we've seen many from Feds and frankly, whilst there have been many very good ones there have been far too many very ordinary ones as well.

For instance, his rather lame attempt to stop QPR's eventual winner at the Mad Stad that Marcus would have saved 99 times out 100 and just how many times has one of his throw outs hit the back of a retreating player?

If Brendan Rodgers is right, this could be our chance to assess whether we can finance the signing of our two loanees by off loading a keeper who's replacement is already in house..................................it's tough decisions like this that could make a huge difference in our quest to get back to the top flight.

[RoyalBlue]

It sounded like he did well and did what he had to do, but Fedders showed those signs while Hahnemann was No.1. But then he had a sustained run that helped him, but he didn't seem ready to take over then.

McCarthy needs time to bed in and I'd hate for him to be measured indefinitely against tonight's performance. He isn't always going to be like that and understanding has to be shown towards him so that he doesn't blow his confidence at the first hurdle.

Agreed.

I hope he does turn into a fantastic keeper but he is still young, inexperienced and somewhat lacking in confidence. Had he not been so young and inexperienced I am sure people would have been pointing out moments of indecision, failure to dominate the six yard box, wayward kicking, being quiet etc. No doubt his performance against Everton will have helped boost his confidence but that could easily be shattered by unrealistic expectations, demands and consequetial criticism by supporters.

A very decent substitute for Feds but IMO, despite some of the mistakes we have seen from him, Feds is still the better keeper at this moment in time.

[Row Z Royal]

It sounded like he did well and did what he had to do, but Fedders showed those signs while Hahnemann was No.1. But then he had a sustained run that helped him, but he didn't seem ready to take over then.

McCarthy needs time to bed in and I'd hate for him to be measured indefinitely against tonight's performance. He isn't always going to be like that and understanding has to be shown towards him so that he doesn't blow his confidence at the first hurdle.

Agreed.

First SLAMMED and now you


I take it all back.

[Ian Royal]

and just how many times has one of his throw outs hit the back of a retreating player?

None.

He kicked the ball into Karacan's back and kicked the ball to Bothroyd who was facing him.

[prostak]

Maybe he didn't know much about it, but on the other hand you could say that sort of instinctive dive is what makes a great keeper. I've never really warmed to Federici, might be a personal thing but his occasional errors suggest he's either a bit thick or prone to concentration lapses. McCarthy's error at Palace seemed borne of being over-keen, on the other hand. Watching the highlights, McCarthy got lucky on a few occasons at Goodison but looked easily good enough for the level we're at.

Think it's worth quoting the entirety of Jacob Steinberg's description from the Guardian minute-by-minute, for an objective view -

79 min: What a save from McCarthy! How on earth has he kept that out? Everton can barely believe they aren't level and, to be honest, nor can I. Saha ran down the left and crossed to the far post to Beckford. Beckford cushioned a header back across goal and as Reading's defenders stood still, Osman arrived late to meet the dropping ball on the volley eight yards out and right in front of goal. His connection was perfect and he absolutely wellied it goalwards, only for McCarthy to fly across his goal and stick out a strong left arm to divert it away. That was astonishing. It was hit so hard there seemed to be no way he could keep it out.

[Woodcote Royal]

and just how many times has one of his throw outs hit the back of a retreating player?

None.

He kicked the ball into Karacan's back and kicked the ball to Bothroyd who was facing him.

Fair enough, I was obviously being too kind as that's worse in my book and somewhat undermines those who praise his kicking.

[The Real Sandhurst Royal]

Alex McCarthy is proving he is not a one game wonder.

Another very solid and commanding performance against Man City from the young keeper.

I would be happy for him to keep the jersey until the end of season, I want to see more of him as this lad has a great future ahead of him

MOTM at Man City.

[roadrunner]

Big +1 to that.

He was fantastic again yesterday. Commanded his area well, looked confident on corners and made some key saves.

It would be very harsh to drop him for a fit again Federici, and I hope that doesn't happen. As above, if he continues to play well he deserves to keep his place, and then if a bid does come in for Federici this summer it wont hurt us to look at it.

MOTM yesterday. Well done Macca!!

[Svlad Cjelli]

Adam who???

[brendywendy]

It's clearly only one performance but we have several others coming up to see if it was a one off.

.

apart from him having several games, making several great saves, including a pen, and looking better and better with every game he plays.

id have no qualms about selling fed for next season tbf, if we have to

[Turns8]

It's clearly only one performance but we have several others coming up to see if it was a one off.

.

apart from him having several games, making several great saves, including a pen, and looking better and better with every game he plays.

id have no qualms about selling fed for next season tbf, if we have to

+1 to that...Macca And Andersen would certainly provide us with two solid young keepers with a great deal of potential...and some £££ in the coffers from the sale of Feds

[Snowball]

I like Feds, but (SO FAR) McCarthy looks the business and should improve dramatically with games.

He comes for the ball and wins it, which is a bonus.


But a word of warning. First time he has a mare are you lot
going to rip into him on this list and shatter his confidence?



It's easy to say the shots were straight at him yesterday, but that also mean he'd narrowed the angle well
and stood up well. (and he didn't fluff. There was one could've gone through his legs that he stopped)


DEFINITELY should keep playing him when Feds gets fit, at least until he has a bad game. It will help
the boy immensely (and push his value up) and it will make Feds step up his game.

[loyalroyal4life]

he just needs to improve on his kicking especially distribution through kicking but looks a decent prospect

[Terminal Boardom]

I think Alex looks far more assured, calm and confident than Skippy. Keep him in.

[andrew1957]

After a nervous start in his first game he looks better and better each time I see him.

A very exciting prospect.