jack butland

[firemandan]

been called into the england squad....only played 24 games for cheltenham. Are we really that bad in the gk department?

 

[severnside gull]

QPR are rumoured to be wanting him as their first choice next season - heard they offered Birmingham £6m for him but they are likely to want more
U-21 keeper gaining exposure and experience - no risk of having to play him but given how old Hart was when he first broke through, would it necessarily be such a risk. He is very very good and going to get better. England are very fortunate to have him. I would count it a strength rather than a weakness.

 

[sten_super]

I'm not averse to taking a young up-and-coming keeper as third choice as, lets face it, the chances of them getting a game are tiny. Big things are expected from Butland, but I'm surprised they've gone for him and not say Alex Smithies, who at least does have more first team experience (if the worst happened and he were called upon).

 

[strings]

I'm not averse to taking a young up-and-coming keeper as third choice as, lets face it, the chances of them getting a game are tiny. Big things are expected from Butland

I was about to say exactly the same thing. The experience will do him well.

 

[leigull]

Is this a case of people complaining there's no new young, fresh players in the squad, then when one does make it's deemed "embarassing"? Foster being "retired" doesn't help the situation

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

foster and robinson are both retired....the poor little lambs

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Ben Foster and Paul Robinson would have been numbers 2 and 3 if all were available. I haven't seen Butland, so can't fairly comment but it is a bit strange to have someone whose only league experience is at League 2 to be potentially representing England at a major tournament. Besides, if you're going to look into League 2, surely Wes Foderingham at Swindon should have been considered? He only let in a handful of goals at home all season, and not many more away from home. He looks a real prospect and it's no great suprise their surge to the title coincided with getting him in goal.

 

[CHAPPERS]

Is this a case of people complaining there's no new young, fresh players in the squad, then when one does make it's deemed "embarassing"? Foster being "retired" doesn't help the situation

Neither does Foster being 'shit and unreliable'.

 

[shaolinpunk]

Everyone who has seen Butland play say he's on his way to being a top, top keeper. The experience will do him a world of good

 

[NickBHAFC18]

It's totally embarrassing. Mind you, so is the fact we've got some chump from Norwich in the squad too.

Ruddy has had an amazing season, he deserves to be in there.

 

[Djmiles]

Nothing wrong with taking a young keeper with you to the tournament. The chances of BOTH keepers getting injured/sent off are slim to none, and promoting the regular U21 goalkeeper to the main squad makes a lot of sense IMO.

 

[leigull]

Neither does Foster being 'shit and unreliable'.

He's still England's 2nd best goalkeeper

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Of course, we could have called up Scott Carson.

 

[JJB]

QPR are rumoured to be wanting him as their first choice next season - heard they offered Birmingham £6m for him but they are likely to want more
U-21 keeper gaining exposure and experience - no risk of having to play him but given how old Hart was when he first broke through, would it necessarily be such a risk. He is very very good and going to get better. England are very fortunate to have him. I would count it a strength rather than a weakness.

We're very much after him. I've worked with members of the Cheltenham board and was told we've been sniffing around him since last November. If I was him, I know I'd choose Southampton, even more so after that documentary showed how QPR was run.

 

[Bold Seagull]

It's totally embarrassing. Mind you, so is the fact we've got some chump from Norwich in the squad too.

Firstly, he is replacing the 'chump' from Norwich!

Secondly, he's the 3rd choice keeper and is only 19. He has represented England at every level and is first choice in the U21's. If the entire England set up is about preparing international players, then as the 3rd choice replacement, Butland is an ideal candidate. It's unlikely he'll play, but a great experience for him. So not embarrassing at all really.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

It's totally embarrassing. Mind you, so is the fact we've got some chump from Norwich in the squad too.

Oh no we haven't.

 

[severnside gull]

It's totally embarrassing. Mind you, so is the fact we've got some chump from Norwich in the squad too.

Only one chump around here but you're right....you're embarrassing

 

[BensGrandad]

Ruddy out of Euros broken finger

 

[Ninja Elephant]

We're very much after him. I've worked with members of the Cheltenham board and was told we've been sniffing around him since last November. If I was him, I know I'd choose Southampton, even more so after that documentary showed how QPR was run.

I would choose Southampton too. Especially in the coming season, he's going to get chance after chance to prove how good he is with all those shots coming at him. And past him. The only question is whether he can kick it long enough for Lambert?