Alex McCarthy

[Cypry]

Cypry - I'd say almost solely because he is a local lad, a product of the academy, and fans would rather see him play for Reading, even if only for a season or two, before securing what is surely an inevitable transfer to a larger club (just hope he doesn't 'do an Ashdown' and spend his career on the bench).

McCarthy is a terrific prospect but equally he is good enough to play for the team now. And given a choice between McCarthy and Feds, and given they are of similar abilities, I'd choose McCarthy every time. Nothing against Feds, and it's not I 'can't wait to see the back of him', but McCarthy is obviously good enough and as an academy product I'd therefore like to see him in the team (much the same as I've been championing Alex Pearce since he first broke through). It's just a desire to see Reading lads playing for Reading.

I get the local lad thing, but Bibbo and most importantly McD obviously feel that for whatever reason Feds is a better option at the moment for Reading and our prospects of promotion. I guarantee you that that will be the only consideration in Brians mind when he selects his team for a given game - which out of Feds and McCarthy gives us the best chance of winning....?

What I also guarantee you is that Brian has a much better handle on which of the two is best than you or any other Nobber, even though a lot of people on here seem to think they know better.....

There's also the Andersen factor, as I said. Who's to say he's not an even better prospect than McCarthy...? He certainly hasn't looked too shabby during shooting practice when the teams warming up, and he too is an U-21 international.....

[Svlad Cjelli]

Cypry - I'd say almost solely because he is a local lad, a product of the academy, and fans would rather see him play for Reading, even if only for a season or two, before securing what is surely an inevitable transfer to a larger club (just hope he doesn't 'do an Ashdown' and spend his career on the bench).

McCarthy is a terrific prospect but equally he is good enough to play for the team now. And given a choice between McCarthy and Feds, and given they are of similar abilities, I'd choose McCarthy every time. Nothing against Feds, and it's not I 'can't wait to see the back of him', but McCarthy is obviously good enough and as an academy product I'd therefore like to see him in the team (much the same as I've been championing Alex Pearce since he first broke through). It's just a desire to see Reading lads playing for Reading.

I get the local lad thing, but Bibbo and most importantly McD obviously feel that for whatever reason Feds is a better option at the moment for Reading and our prospects of promotion. I guarantee you that that will be the only consideration in Brians mind when he selects his team for a given game - which out of Feds and McCarthy gives us the best chance of winning....?

What I also guarantee you is that Brian has a much better handle on which of the two is best than you or any other Nobber, even though a lot of people on here seem to think they know better.....

There's also the Andersen factor, as I said. Who's to say he's not an even better prospect than McCarthy...? He certainly hasn't looked too shabby during shooting practice when the teams warming up, and he too is an U-21 international.....

As I said earlier, I fear that the reason Feds gets the nod at the moment is through fear of his reaction and the fallout and impact on team-spirit, etc if he should be dropped.

It's far easier, politically and in terms on man-management, to play the older, more-established keeper as number one than it is replace him with the younger lad when injuries aren't involved. Making the decision to "drop" Feds would carry a massive message, even if it wasn't meant to.

[cmonurz]

Cypry - I'd say almost solely because he is a local lad, a product of the academy, and fans would rather see him play for Reading, even if only for a season or two, before securing what is surely an inevitable transfer to a larger club (just hope he doesn't 'do an Ashdown' and spend his career on the bench).

McCarthy is a terrific prospect but equally he is good enough to play for the team now. And given a choice between McCarthy and Feds, and given they are of similar abilities, I'd choose McCarthy every time. Nothing against Feds, and it's not I 'can't wait to see the back of him', but McCarthy is obviously good enough and as an academy product I'd therefore like to see him in the team (much the same as I've been championing Alex Pearce since he first broke through). It's just a desire to see Reading lads playing for Reading.

I get the local lad thing, but Bibbo and most importantly McD obviously feel that for whatever reason Feds is a better option at the moment for Reading and our prospects of promotion. I guarantee you that that will be the only consideration in Brians mind when he selects his team for a given game - which out of Feds and McCarthy gives us the best chance of winning....?

What I also guarantee you is that Brian has a much better handle on which of the two is best than you or any other Nobber, even though a lot of people on here seem to think they know better.....

There's also the Andersen factor, as I said. Who's to say he's not an even better prospect than McCarthy...? He certainly hasn't looked too shabby during shooting practice when the teams warming up, and he too is an U-21 international.....

Well my response was more to the question as to why many may want McCarthy in goal when there isn't a massive obvious difference in ability between the two keepers. My personal opinion is that Feds should keep his place until McCarthy's claims are too great or Federici makes too many mistakes.

[Hoop Blah]

I'm not a fan of Federici's but I'm happy to see that he's having a pretty good season. I don't subscribe to the idea that he's the best in the division, but I do think he's a decent enough Championship keeper and he's good enough for a team of our standing and ambition.

However, one of his weaknesses is his ability to make a ricket or two. Now he's more reliable than he was, and of course all keepers will make a howler, but Federici makes silly ones that he shouldn't (albeit less frequently this season). I think the number of people that are prone to criticising him is related to his history with the club. He's come a long way since he joined us but it is sometimes difficult to forget his previous errors and opinion can be clouded by how poor he was before.

Add in the fact that we've had Hahnemann as a very very solid, consistent and reliable keeper for years and now we've got a local lad pushing him for his place and I think it's understandable that opinion is divided.

Compare where McCarthy is with Federici was at a similar age (ie 4 years ago), and McCarthy looks a much better prospect and I for one would love to see him fulfil some of that potential in goal for us. Unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen, partly because his route into the current side is blocked by a pretty average keeper who I think over rates himself and I've never warmed to. The other reason I don't think we'll see McCarthy fulfil his potential here is that if he gets close to it he'll be too good for us and therefore worth too much and will be sold off.

[Cobi]

As I said earlier, I fear that the reason Feds gets the nod at the moment is through fear of his reaction and the fallout and impact on team-spirit, etc if he should be dropped.

It's far easier, politically and in terms on man-management, to play the older, more-established keeper as number one than it is replace him with the younger lad when injuries aren't involved. Making the decision to "drop" Feds would carry a massive message, even if it wasn't meant to.

He kicked off last season when he was fit again and didn't walk straight back into the side. McCarthy lost his place not through poor form, but as you say, to keep the peace. Shame really. The boy was doing very well and looked a lot more assured and commanding of his area than Federici. Hopefully he'll get another chance here before he gives up and betters himself elsewhere.

[Ian Royal]

I wanted McCarthy to start the season number 1. I wasn't overly impressed with Federici early doors, but he's doing well now (with his usual occasional blooper, although they're less obvious at the moment) and he's earned the right to stay number 1 for the time being. And bear in mind I've defended Federici in previous seasons as he is a decent keeper.

None of that changes prefering McCarthy for all the reasons listed above by others, or means that I wouldn't ship out Federici in an instant if it was a choice of keeping him or McCarthy. In fact I'd let him go to keep McCarthy even if it meant we only got £500k, when given our recent transfer exploits we ought to be looking at more like £2m - £3m.

Few people are saying drop Federici. They're saying, don't lose McCarthy and if the only way of keeping him is dropping and / or selling Federici then do it! McCarthy could be the most exciting product of our academy other than Sigurdsson and he's English and been with us ages, possibly even a local! That's far more appealing than Federici.

[Cypry]

McCarthy could be the most exciting product of our academy other than Sigurdsson

Unless Andersen's better......

[peterroyal76]

McCarthy could be the most exciting product of our academy other than Sigurdsson

Unless Andersen's better......

Which is why Ian said 'could be better'.

[cmonurz]

Another +1 for Ian Royal's post.

Not sure why Cypry keeps pushing Andersen, can't see what relevance it has to this conversation when Andersen doesn't have a string of impressive performances behind him.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Federici was at fault for Swansea's second at Wembley. No doubt about it. He put the ball back into a dangerous area.

[sandman]

As I said earlier, I fear that the reason Feds gets the nod at the moment is through fear of his reaction and the fallout and impact on team-spirit, etc if he should be dropped.

It's far easier, politically and in terms on man-management, to play the older, more-established keeper as number one than it is replace him with the younger lad when injuries aren't involved. Making the decision to "drop" Feds would carry a massive message, even if it wasn't meant to.

He kicked off last season when he was fit again and didn't walk straight back into the side. McCarthy lost his place not through poor form, but as you say, to keep the peace. Shame really. The boy was doing very well and looked a lot more assured and commanding of his area than Federici. Hopefully he'll get another chance here before he gives up and betters himself elsewhere.

Bullsh1t. McCarthy Let in 3 goals against Sheffield United (as he did against Forest and Palace.) the first goal was a scuffed shot that shouldn't be beating a keeper that is as good as you all make Alex out to be, the third he parried straight into the danger area and he gifted them what should have been given as a fourth goal through a poor throw out. This was against a team that were relegated the following week. He deserved to be dropped after that game. Remember the mistake McCarthy made for Connor Wickham's goal for Ipswich last year? What about Gradels shot for Leeds that McCarthy almost threw into the back of the net? The penalty he gave away against Palace? McCarthy is prone to mistakes as well.

The reason Federici gets the nod is because he has been the better keeper in training and proved himself on that pitch on a Saturday afternoon. Yet because he shows a bit of ambition for his career he gets vilified and hated and accused of rocking the boat ( A rumour started by the ever reliable Tim Dellor). When in reality all he's done say he wants to play which is the same thing McCarthy wants and the same thing Andersen wants.

This picture being painted of the evil Feds with his pitchfork ready to strike Brian down if he's dropped while poor little Saint Alex sits on the bench shining his halo and being shoved out on loan against his will is really strange.

[Ian Royal]

It's prats like you that are perpetuating a myth of Federici hatred. There's oxf*rd all of that on display here.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

If were talking about making mistakes then Federici is a lot worse than McCarthy. To add to insult, Federici has played a lot more games than McCarthy. Federici has also made a mistake on the biggest stage (play-off final) so McCarthy's mistakes are null and void.

[Cypry]

Another +1 for Ian Royal's post.

Not sure why Cypry keeps pushing Andersen, can't see what relevance it has to this conversation when Andersen doesn't have a string of impressive performances behind him.

I'm not "pushing" Andersen.

The point I'm making is that the club (McD, Gibbs, Bibbo etc) will know a hell of a lot more than anyone on here about the capabilities, and potential of all three of our main keepers - as someone above mentioned, McCarthy made a few errors last year while Feds was out - yes, he had some impressive performances, but equally he showed that he can be prone to error just like Feds (in fact, just like any keeper) - some people seem to have their RTGs firmly on as far as McCarthy goes - he was by no means perfect in all of the handful of games he played last year - yes Feds made more mistakes overall, but he played probably four times as many games....

Regarding Andersen, who's to say that he doesn't show more potential than even McCarthy in training? The point I'm making is we simply don't know - the club however, do, and they will have a strategy regarding our embarrassment of riches in the keeping department - we should trust them to make these decisions - anyone who thinks that McDermott is "scared" to drop Feds is deluded - Feds will be playing because Brian believes he is our best option between the sticks, and if it's decided that McCarthy is surplus to requirements, then I'll trust the club to make that decision thank you very much....

[Cypry]

If were talking about making mistakes then Federici is a lot worse than McCarthy.

Prove it - Feds has made very few mistakes so far this season - McCarthy has made a couple of mistakes in what, four or five games so far?
Last year, yes, Feds dropped a few clangers, but this season there's been little that he can be criticised for.

To add to insult, Federici has played a lot more games than McCarthy.

Which makes it statistically more likely that he'll make a few mistakes....

Federici has also made a mistake on the biggest stage (play-off final) so McCarthy's mistakes are null and void.

Eh? I've never heard such bollocks - Feds "mistake" was spilling the ball when at full stretch trying to stop a cross which should never have been made in the first place - find the highlights on YouTube and watch it again...
All that goes to show is you'll forgive McCarthy anything, because you see Feds as some kind of villain......you've put it in black and white.....

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Federici has made very few mistakes this season? He's made quite a few actually. Rushing off his line against Ipswich and Peterborough and not getting anywhere near the ball. Older keepers are generally more experienced and therefore should be less likely to make mistakes considering they have spent more time on the pitch.

The play-off final mistake wasn't entirely down to him, I'll give you that, but he hasn't done anything to stop that ball coming into a dangerous area. He has parried it right into the path of another player. Why didn't he go at the ball with two hands rather than trying to palm it away?

[Ian Royal]

Both of them make mistakes. Understandable and quite tolerable in a young player who's made 21 championship level appearances. Rather less tolerable in an older player who's made 137 championship or above level appearances. IMO.

Still, Federici's certainly not anyone we need desperately to be finding someone better than to replace him.

McCarthy makes keeping look almost effortless at times. His positioning is excellent, better than Federici's. Fed makes up for that to a certain extent by being very very good at pulling off diving saves to recover. McCarthy just tends to be in the right place.

Lets face it, when we're talking about dropping clangers, McCarthy may have made mistakes, but he's made nothing like the poor level of mistake Federici has made in the past.

And I'll say it again, it doesn't come down to thinking Federici's crap, or McCarthy's better. It comes down to thinking McCarthy's got more potential and is much more our player. Andersen may also be brilliant, but making any judgments on him is stupid because we haven't really see him play for us yet. And he still doesn't have the potential English International factor in any case.

I'd be perfectly happy to keep all three. That ain't realistically going to happen though. In which case, it's bye bye Feds, for me. Does it matter? No, because we don't make the decision. But to write off the opinion because it's not in favour of the incumbant, or as if it's anti-Fed bile is just nonsense.

[Bandini]

As I said earlier, I fear that the reason Feds gets the nod at the moment is through fear of his reaction and the fallout and impact on team-spirit, etc if he should be dropped.

It's far easier, politically and in terms on man-management, to play the older, more-established keeper as number one than it is replace him with the younger lad when injuries aren't involved. Making the decision to "drop" Feds would carry a massive message, even if it wasn't meant to.

He kicked off last season when he was fit again and didn't walk straight back into the side. McCarthy lost his place not through poor form, but as you say, to keep the peace. Shame really. The boy was doing very well and looked a lot more assured and commanding of his area than Federici. Hopefully he'll get another chance here before he gives up and betters himself elsewhere.

Bullsh1t. McCarthy Let in 3 goals against Sheffield United (as he did against Forest and Palace.) the first goal was a scuffed shot that shouldn't be beating a keeper that is as good as you all make Alex out to be, the third he parried straight into the danger area and he gifted them what should have been given as a fourth goal through a poor throw out. This was against a team that were relegated the following week. He deserved to be dropped after that game. Remember the mistake McCarthy made for Connor Wickham's goal for Ipswich last year? What about Gradels shot for Leeds that McCarthy almost threw into the back of the net? The penalty he gave away against Palace? McCarthy is prone to mistakes as well.

The reason Federici gets the nod is because he has been the better keeper in training and proved himself on that pitch on a Saturday afternoon. Yet because he shows a bit of ambition for his career he gets vilified and hated and accused of rocking the boat ( A rumour started by the ever reliable Tim Dellor). When in reality all he's done say he wants to play which is the same thing McCarthy wants and the same thing Andersen wants.

This picture being painted of the evil Feds with his pitchfork ready to strike Brian down if he's dropped while poor little Saint Alex sits on the bench shining his halo and being shoved out on loan against his will is really strange.

McCarthy's just a natural. He's an exciting player to watch and plenty of people would rather see what he could do for us than Fed, who seems more limited in his abilities, even if there isn't a great deal between them in their performances as yet.

Oh, and the Palace penalty...any recollection as to what happened shortly after he gave it away?

[Svlad Cjelli]

TBH, I'm happy to say that I dislike Feds. I posted the below back in July and nothing since then has made me want to change my mind.

This may just be personal prejudice on my part, but I've just never warmed to him

He comes across as arrogant and ostentatious (for instance by turning an unduly large number of pretty routine saves into "camera saves") and his words to the effect of "come and get me, I'm too big for this club" on Sky Sports News has only reinforced this view. They also showed him as extremely ungrateful to the one club that took a risk on him and did so much to make him.

And as to ability - yes he's a good shot-stopper, but even now I think there are questions about his positioning, and whenever he's in goal there's a part of me that's nervous and thinks that the next calamity is just around teh corner. But Alex McCarthy just looks the part completely - I've got complete confidence in him when he's in goal. He looks like he was born to play there.

And whilst at the moment Federici may be a better 'keeper than McCarthy, I don't think Federici will get much better, whereas McCarthy has got the potential to be a way, way better 'keeper than Federici ever can.

Right now I resent Federici because I feel he's standing in the way of McCarthy's development as a world-class 'keeper, whereas I don't believe Federici will never be more than a very-good 'keeper.

[Archie's penalty]

I totally agree with Baines and Dirk.

Mccarthy's a natural, get him in between the posts.