Southampton: Alex McCarthy loving chance in first team

Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has spoken out about his pleasure at getting a run in the first team for the Saints, having started the side’s last three.

The 28-year-old hadn’t started a league game at all for Mauricio Pellegrino’s side before getting the surprise nod against Manchester United just before the turn of the year.

Having been signed as Fraser Forster’s back-up, McCarthy still struggled to even get game time in the cup competitions, forcing him to keep up his match fitness for Southampton’s Under-23 side.

Despite none of his performances really setting the world alight, McCarthy has been consistent and enjoyed some solid games since making his return, and with Forster’s dwindling form he has an excellent opportunity to make the first-team spot his own.

Speaking to Southampton’s media team, the England international revealed he’s savouring his chance in the side.

"“Old Trafford is a place everyone wants to play at, in those big games, so it was nice to come in for that one. It was pretty much the perfect start. It would’ve been better to get the three points, but obviously it was nice to get a clean sheet and a point away from home.“It’s amazing to be back playing. The last few seasons I’ve been frustrated with lack of playing time and injuries. “To get out the other side of that and be back playing, it feels really good.”"

The former-QPR stopper’s clean sheet on his Premier League bow against the Red Devils was the Saints’ first in 11 games, and neither of his old side Crystal Palace’s strikes were hugely his fault either.

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Against Fulham he kept his second clean sheet from three games, and will now almost certainly start between the sticks when the Saints travel to face Watford this weekend.

The Hornets put on one of the strongest and most ruthless displays that St. Mary’s has seen this season when they strolled to a 2-0 win back in September. Since then however, Marco Silva’s side have slipped down to tenth, having struggled to find the same form.

But Southampton go into the match in a much more precarious position – if the Saints lose and a manager-less Stoke get something against Manchester United, the former will slip into the relegation zone.

McCarthy will be hoping to have better fortune against Watford than his goalkeeping partner did back in Autumn – both of the Hornets’ goals came from outside the box and could’ve easily been saved had Forster got across line quicker.