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Southampton: Forster rightfully excluded from the England squad

By Chris Hughes

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Fraser Forster of Southampton makes a save during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Fraser Forster of Southampton makes a save during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Southampton at Amex Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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Earlier yesterday it was confirmed that Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster was not included in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.

This is the second time in three selections this season that the Saints’ stopper has been omitted from his national squad, as a reflection of inconsistent and poor form.

Jack Butland, Joe Hart and Jordan Pickford are the selections in goal, although it remains unclear as to who will be Southgate’s first choice on the day.

With World Cup qualification already a thing of the past for England, it’s arguable that the Three Lions boss is simply rotating, having called-up Joe Gomez, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for potential first caps. Jordan Pickford himself call also make his first senior appearance in either of the friendlies against Germany or Brazil.

However Forster’s exclusion is definitely the right move. His inability to get across his goal or parry the ball away in a consistent manner has cost the Saints – his error saw the side drop two points against Brighton this past weekend.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Southampton at John Smith’s Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Southampton at John Smith’s Stadium on August 26, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /

Whether it’s a confidence issue or something deeper, Forster has been a shadow of his former self this season and it’s cost the Saints. The 29-year-old’s confidence has been low this season and it’s been reflected with his inability to command the box like his six-foot-seven figure suggests he should be able to.

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What we can hope for is that Forster once again bounces back from his omission. When Southgate didn’t name him last time he enjoyed some of his best football of the campaign, rightfully earning his place once again among the Three Lions’ senior squad.

However, Fras may have to work especially hard this time. Previously Tom Heaton – who to his credit is a top-quality ‘keeper – was England’s third-choice behind Forster and Hart. However, with Pickford now on the scene and Butland fit and firing, the former-Celtic man could have a much tougher task.

It should be noted that Ryan Bertrand has still been called-up to the England squad.