The McCarthy/Green debate

[Ginger Ninja]

Hard to please.

No mate, just didn't see what you saw I guess. Come on though, that was his only performance for us that wasn't below average.

[bakes8]

No mate, just didn't see what you saw I guess. Come on though, that was his only performance for us that wasn't below average.

This is true but it's not easy being Keeper knowing you're not first choice.

I know he's outstanding cos I've seen him play consistently for Reading, looked like a brilliant keeper there and certainly far too good to be sitting on our bench forever.

[The Merry Ploughboy]

If McCarthy goes it will go against the whole ethos and philosophy that Les is trying to create. Madness keeping Green happy for a season at the expense of a great young keeper. Tell Green NOW he is No.2 now and see if he wants to stay then.

[bakes8]

If McCarthy goes it will go against the whole ethos and philosophy that Les is trying to create. Madness keeping Green happy for a season at the expense of a great young keeper. Tell Green NOW he is No.2 now and see if he wants to stay then.

That's what I would do, but i read somewhere that CR was desperate to keep Greeno as No.1. Unfortunately that will mean we lose McCarthy.

[Ginger Ninja]

This is true but it's not easy being Keeper knowing you're not first choice.

I know he's outstanding cos I've seen him play consistently for Reading, looked like a brilliant keeper there and certainly far too good to be sitting on our bench forever.

I agree with you, he was great for Reading. I'm just saying he has to dislodge Green from that number 1 spot first, I would love to see it happen because he is a good keeper. I just don't think he's done it yet.

[bakes8]

I agree with you, he was great for Reading. I'm just saying he has to dislodge Green from that number 1 spot first, I would love to see it happen because he is a good keeper. I just don't think he's done it yet.

I'm not sure he can dislodge Greeno without a run of games, and I don't see that happening under CR.

A crying shame imo, as I think McCarthy is gonna be top drawer somewhere.

[Timmy the Doc]

Best keeper needs to play now. You cannot think who will be the best after two years.

[alihors]

No brainer for me,McCarthy must be first choice.Rob Green has been a good keeper for us over the years,making some great saves but is also prone to making more than his fair share of mistakes.He always worried me under the high ball,and his kicking is #### poor.Green is now 35 and i think we should carry on with our recent recruitment policy and give the younger keeper his chance.McCarthy has all the tools to be a top class keeper,and i personally think he will turn out to be a valuable player for us.

[Briankey81]

Agree. My vote is on McCarthy and is all based on age as I believe AM is as good as RG already. Green's been great for us but we have to go for McCarthy this season and beyond. I truly believe he'll be outstanding for us for years to come, alternatively outstanding and sold with a profit after a season or two. If RG is told he'll start the season as no 2, it's a win-win for us as we either get a supreme no 2 or sell him with a profit instead of letting him go on a free next summer(plus spending to get a new no 1 as McCarthy will be off if he's not no 1 this season).

[dsqpr]

If we are trying for promotion next season and we have to make a straight choice, it has to be Green. He is the better keeper at the moment.

If we are simply looking to the future and not bothered about trying to get promoted next season, then it has to be McCarthy.

[blue and white]

I am guessing Rob will leave after his contract is up. He has been brilliant the last few seasons but it is time to move one. I would like to see him phased out this season and Alex given a fair go. We are now starting to think about the future and I just don't see Rob in it.

[Hove Ranger]

That report from Stanley says we only paid £2.5 mill for McCarthy, maybe the £6 mill was dependent on appearances or us staying up etc? Could probably get that back if the club decide to sell him

[acricketer]

What debate?

[Rangers77]

The light they always show to them is Green, Green, Green.

[MattyRangers]

Sorry but we don't all know he's a good keeper. How many times do you have to watch someone before you deem him good? What we saw on the rare outing last year was anything but and a couple of Reading games against us where he played well is not enough for me.And have to disagree even more with your second point. Rotating Shilton and Clemence for England is fine for England with a game every few months but both were playing week in week our for their Clubs. Just like every position, your number one needs pitch time, not rotating in and out every other game - it doesn't help the keeper and doesn't help their relationship with the defence either. Pick one as the first choice and stick with him until form/fitness/results dictates otherwise - when the other one gets his chance he needs to stand up and grab it with both hands - just like Green did when Salad was finally booted and rather like McCarthy didn't for that brief stint last year

100% agree! I would love to know where people get this "McCarthy is a fantastic keeper" theory from. Made howlers in 2 of his 4 starts for us last season ( I think he started 4 games?) which is a shocking ratio. Admittedly he looked decent enough v Liverpool, but 1 good game v 2 $hit ones is not filling me with confidence.
Regards the last bit of your post blue, again agree 100%. Green was a model pro when he got bombed off for Cesar in really distasteful circumstances, just kept his head down, didn't whinge, then seized his opportunity with both hands (no pun intended) when he got his chance again. McCarthy needs to do the same, not start giving interviews complaining about not starting.

As I said on the other thread, McCarthy does need a run in the first team. But he has to break through past Green, who has been great for us. He needs to do more to get that chance because the few times he has had it, he has failed.

This (see above post, sort of repeating my agreement ).

Strangely enough though, long term it does make sense to keep McCarthy. It is a strange one because, short term, IMO, Green is streets ahead of McCarthy, but (As Merry says above) with the new ethos we appear to have, it would be odd to lose McCarthy for Green who has, what, 3 more years in him? I'm torn really, Green is one of ym favourite players and I think he is a great keeper, but McCarthy is the sensible long term option. I just wish he would have a bit more fight about him and not seemingly want to quit (given his recent quotes, as posted above) because he has competition that he is failing to dislodge. He needs to up his game and prove himself worthy of stealing the shirt from Green.