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20:30 29th August 2014
by @QPRFC
Ady Williams, BBC Berkshire Sports Presenter, gives his view on Alex McCarthy following his move to QPR from Reading ...
How good a goalkeeper have QPR signed in Alex McCarthy?
A really great young keeper. I've been a big fan of his from day one. He broke into the England squad last year and that's how good he is. He was outstanding in the Premier League for Reading a couple of years ago. He's a young Englishman, a big presence, a strapping lad at 6ft'4 and I think he can go right to the very top. He's a very level-headed young man and I think Queens Park Rangers have signed a top class young goalkeeper. Playing in the Premier League won't faze him one bit.
What are his strengths and weaknesses as a keeper?
Strengths wise - he's a top shot-stopper and he's very commanding when it comes to crosses being launched into the box. He's very dominant. When he comes for a cross, nine times out of ten he will catch it; if he doesn't, he'll get enough on a big punch. I don't see too many weaknesses in his game and hopefully QPR fans won't either. He's a young man and isn't the loudest, so maybe he needs to communicate a bit better, but that's just me trying to find a negative that I don't think he has.
At 24, he's still relatively young for a top-flight goalkeeper - do you feel he is ready to compete with Rob Green for the number one spot?
Without doubt, 100 per-cent. I've been saying for a while now that he's ready to be a Premier League number one and for that reason I'm surprised no-one has come in for him earlier. I'm also surprised none of the so-called bigger clubs have shown an interest. I think Harry has signed a top young goalkeeper and I expect him to push Rob for the shirt from the moment he arrives. I've seen him for a while now and I really do think Alex has everything in his game to play at the top level. I think it's a great move for him.
He was called up to the senior England squad last year - do you see him earning full international honours in the future?
Yes, very much so. I'm not getting carried away when I say this, but I believe he's the best young keeper we've got. I spoke to Roy Hodgson a little while ago at a charity match at the Madejski Stadium and asked him about Alex. He said that he really likes him and that he's definitely in the shop window for the England squad. I just think it's a really good move for QPR, Alex and probably Reading as well with his contract due to expire next summer.
Read more at http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/29...MdCsjof8mh2.99
20:30 29th August 2014
by @QPRFC
Ady Williams, BBC Berkshire Sports Presenter, gives his view on Alex McCarthy following his move to QPR from Reading ...
How good a goalkeeper have QPR signed in Alex McCarthy?
A really great young keeper. I've been a big fan of his from day one. He broke into the England squad last year and that's how good he is. He was outstanding in the Premier League for Reading a couple of years ago. He's a young Englishman, a big presence, a strapping lad at 6ft'4 and I think he can go right to the very top. He's a very level-headed young man and I think Queens Park Rangers have signed a top class young goalkeeper. Playing in the Premier League won't faze him one bit.
What are his strengths and weaknesses as a keeper?
Strengths wise - he's a top shot-stopper and he's very commanding when it comes to crosses being launched into the box. He's very dominant. When he comes for a cross, nine times out of ten he will catch it; if he doesn't, he'll get enough on a big punch. I don't see too many weaknesses in his game and hopefully QPR fans won't either. He's a young man and isn't the loudest, so maybe he needs to communicate a bit better, but that's just me trying to find a negative that I don't think he has.
At 24, he's still relatively young for a top-flight goalkeeper - do you feel he is ready to compete with Rob Green for the number one spot?
Without doubt, 100 per-cent. I've been saying for a while now that he's ready to be a Premier League number one and for that reason I'm surprised no-one has come in for him earlier. I'm also surprised none of the so-called bigger clubs have shown an interest. I think Harry has signed a top young goalkeeper and I expect him to push Rob for the shirt from the moment he arrives. I've seen him for a while now and I really do think Alex has everything in his game to play at the top level. I think it's a great move for him.
He was called up to the senior England squad last year - do you see him earning full international honours in the future?
Yes, very much so. I'm not getting carried away when I say this, but I believe he's the best young keeper we've got. I spoke to Roy Hodgson a little while ago at a charity match at the Madejski Stadium and asked him about Alex. He said that he really likes him and that he's definitely in the shop window for the England squad. I just think it's a really good move for QPR, Alex and probably Reading as well with his contract due to expire next summer.
Read more at http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/29...MdCsjof8mh2.99
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