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Southampton: 2017-2018 half-season review – Fraser Forster

By Christian Bird

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Laurent Depoitre of Huddersfield Town scores his sides first goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary's Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Laurent Depoitre of Huddersfield Town scores his sides first goal past Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary's Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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It is a World Cup year, with England qualifying in exemplary fashion and to face an easy group , but for Fraser Forster, the manager’s decision to leave him out against United and Palace , inviting Alex McCarthy instead, could not have occurred at a much worser time

As well as this, he had already been excluded from the England squad itself this season. He is now at high-risk of not being included in the final 23-man squad, competing for the biggest prize in global football this summer.

There are a wide number of options available for England in goal, with the likes of Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope bang in form. In addition, Tom Heaton, Joe Hart, and Jack Butland provide stiff competition.

Many in the Championship are also making their name known to Gareth Southgate. Yet, there is still enough time to sway Southgate’s mind, but he will have to turn Mauricio Pellegrino’s first.

In goal, Fraser Forster has been at fault for several mistakes this season, and has looked far from convincing around the goalposts. He was dropped for the game against Manchester United on December 30, as the game ended goalless. I do not suggest for a second he would have not done a decent job, but as confidence must be very low at the moment, with the club sitting just one place outside the relegation zone, McCarthy may have been brought into steady a ship, which was swiftly sinking.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Fraser Forster of Southampton gives his eam instructions during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary’s Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 23: Fraser Forster of Southampton gives his eam instructions during the Premier League match between Southampton and Huddersfield Town at St Mary’s Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Forster made a mistake in the mirror-fixture this season, costing them the game. He then fumbled several attempts made from Newcastle to score, which finally got punished. In the same month, he would squander Southampton’s early lead with a failed attempt to keep out Glenn Murray’s header for Brighton. The game finished level.

His replacement Alex McCarthy had been kept of the side by Forster until their return fixture versus United, who had cemented his place in the Southampton goal with 76 consecutive starts.

There was a mixed reaction shared over social media by fans. Although most felt surprised that McCarthy would be playing in his debut against Manchester United, many were not due to Forster’s lack of form. One supporter expressed irony over the situation.

Personally, I think he is an excellent goalkeeper with many assets such as phenomenal diving ability, great kicking strength, and also offers an intimidating presence between both posts.

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Alex McCarthy maintained his spot in goal for the visit of his former club, Crystal Palace, to St Mary’s Stadium. Despite losing the game, Alex is ambitious to challenge Forster in goal for the number-one jersey.

Fraser Forster’s decision-making has been somewhat questionable this season, seemingly lacking focus throughout the game. It has arguably been his worst for Southampton, but I still think there is potential as he still has time on his hands. If he did miss out on Russia. he may never reach the next World Cup again for England however, having gone to Brazil in 2014. I believe he could still be England number one in time for the European Championship’s, but there is much improvement to be made beforehand.

It is more than 1000-1 chances that he would feature on the field of play during the World Cup if he did make it, similarly to how he did not reach the play of field in 2014, but at least then it would prove to fans that he is amongst the best goalkeeper’s in the country.

Forster has only managed four clean sheets at the midway point of the season, which ranks him fifteenth amongst all Premier League goalkeepers. Those above of him include Pickford, Pope, and Foster, with only Hart and Butland behind him.

Southampton have conceded 32 goals in 22 games this season, Forster having playing in 20 of them. Whilst the Saints have struggled to score goals themselves this season, they have also conceded too many. It is important to prevent goals creeping in if they are to pick up points, although to win matches they still need to be more punitive upfront.

Therefore I agree with Pellegrino’s decision to drop Forster to the bench midway through the season, and I feel this is an important learning curve for Forster, 29, to comeback stronger.