Foster tipped for the top

March 12, 2007

Ben Foster

WATFORD manager Adrian Boothroyd believes on-loan Manchester United keeper Ben Foster will become the finest goalkeeper in the world.

The youngster pulled off a string of saves to help Boothroyd's men reach the last four of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Plymouth.

"Ben Foster underlined why I think he will be the world's number-one goalkeeper," said Boothroyd.

"He's got a terrific work-ethic but, more importantly, he has humility - he takes time to talk to people and sign kids' autographs."

Foster will not be allowed to play against United if they are drawn against Watford in the semi-finals later today, and could also face FA Cup final heartbreak if both sides meet at Wembley.

But Boothroyd believes he will challenge current United No 1 Edwin van der Sar when he returns to Old Trafford next season.

"That's why Sir Alex Ferguson wants him back, that's why he's got his cap and why he will go on and prove his worth," Boothroyd added.

"If Ben Foster is called upon by England, he'll be absolutely outstanding. It's up to Steve McClaren to pick him."

Can Foster become the next regular England goalkeeper?

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Balders, Halifax (12/03/2007 at 10:18)

Anyone utd fan who watched Watford yesterday & saw KK v boro knows who'll be no.1 for us. I'm with Bobby D, KK is not good enough - a goalie who cn't kick the ball properly. He doesn't have a follow through, he sort of stabs at the ball - it's attrocious and unfortunately he gives the jitters to the back 4 as he's less than commanding on crosses. As for Foster, it's no joke to say he was Schmikesque yesterday !!

Robbo, North Stand (12/03/2007 at 10:46)

Agreed. Foster is class and seems to have tremendous assurance and self-belief (unlike Kit-Kat). Commands the box, good shot stopper and can belt the ball a mile (unlike Kit-Kat). Has every chance of becoming a United legend (unlike Kit-Kat).

stu, london (12/03/2007 at 10:52)

He was superb - I should know as I was there, being a Plymouth-man born and bred. Gutted as really wanted a Plymouth-United dream semi-final, but have to say, Foster was outstanding and looks like he'll be ready to challenge Van Der Sar next season.

chris, oxford (12/03/2007 at 11:10)

Foster was superb yesterday and have to agree that he is a better keeper than Kitkat IMO who is a great shot stopper but his distribution and positioning leaves a little to be desired at times.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (12/03/2007 at 11:14)

If paul robinson is his only barrier I can see him getting more caps.

Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (12/03/2007 at 14:22)

Ben Foster was fantastic yesterday game!! I believe more to come from him and for sure he can replace Paul Robinson soon.

Demo, Glossop (12/03/2007 at 14:29)

The more KK plays the more more i know he isnt united No.1 quality. Whereas watching Foster you can see the possibility. Only know for sure once he is playing with our defense infront of him. Its credit to him the goals conceeded considering the team he has in front of him!

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (12/03/2007 at 14:34)

i think we need to get him back to the club while VDS's still around, so that he can learn something from him before he retires. One thing about VDS that i really like is his distribution of the ball. he very rarly hoofs the ball up into the semi circle, and instead looks to find an outfield player with a quick throw and gets us back on the attack again. If Foster can add that side to his game, he'll easily dislodge robinson in the england team. How many times does robinson give the ball straight back to the oppositions after he's hoofed the ball the length of the pitch. Nice to know that we have the future no 1 in the world already at the club, and he's english. Looks like Kit kats days are numbered already.

bobbydazzler (12/03/2007 at 14:56)

united for life you seem to have changed your mind on kitkat

Mick, Dublin (12/03/2007 at 15:22)

Foster has a way to go to prove himself United standard. He's a brilliant shot-stopper and his dsitribution is very good but his handling of crosses is no better than KitKat. I just watched the highlights of yesterday's game and Foster made some great saves but he also flapped at a some crosses, just like KitKat was flapping against Boro. Foster has a bit to prove before can consider himself in the running to be our first-choice keeper. Don't forget, Tim Howard managed to look the business in his first season in the Prem. A team like United needs an experienced pro in nets. VdS is by far the best keeper on our books but if Foster has another great season at Watford, he might be competing for a place the season after.

Lee , Heywood, Heywood (12/03/2007 at 16:07)

Come off it Mick, Foster is a class act and will be No 1 very soon. KitKat is garbage and as for flapping at crosses well I have watched VDS do that all season and not comand his box in the same way Foster tries to. VDS has experience and that is invaluable to us but that is about all he has over Foster imo.

Macca, Cornwall (12/03/2007 at 16:13)

he was class yesterday but he is playing in a completely different team. he has to be his toes at all times with watford, with united concentration is just as important as shot stopping. VDS may do nothing for the whole game then pull out a World Class save in the 92minute to win the game for us. i dont doubt Ben will not have these qualities, he is a fantastic keeper and has great self belief which is essential for a keeper. really looks like it will be a fantastic buy from fergie, but to be honest id rather have him out on loan playing every week learning rather than sitting on the bench playing 10 games max for united.

george (12/03/2007 at 16:16)

Ben Foster had a perfect game against Plymouth.Kuszcak made some terrific saves in the Boro game.Without taking anything away from Ben....things happen quicker in the EPL.
His concentration looked good and he's improved since last seasons play offs.Kuszcak hasn't had as many starts and that hasn't helped his cause but we seem to have 3 good keepers at least.Paul Robinsons place is under threat and if Foster takes it he will grow in stature.

de Meester, netherlands (12/03/2007 at 16:28)

The lad looks the real deal!!
We should at least be ok in the keepers departmaent for a few seasons!

Balders, Halifax (12/03/2007 at 17:14)

PERHAPS MICK but one thing for sure already after a handful of games ... KK isn't the future !!

Utd-For-Life, marseille ex-stretford (13/03/2007 at 08:31)

bobby d, I still think its a bit harsh to give KK such a hard time after the boro game. He's not as good as VDS? and neither is foster, but how many goalies are. Look around... how many steady hands are there in the league. We should know more than most how difficult it is to find a goalie that instills confidence in the same way as schmiechel and VDS. Even barthez had his moments, and he's reached two world cup finals. i'd prefer to cut the guy some slack until he's had a full season between the sticks. But with Foster currently being touted as a future england no 1, i don't see how he's going to get the chance (kk that is) to show us what he can do over a full season. But for now, i just hope we can keep VDS fit and at the club for a few more years, because not since the big dane have we had someone of his quality keeping the ball out of the net.

Birdy, Ireland (13/03/2007 at 08:50)

I think Foster looks like an excellent prospect. I've mixed views abouthim coming back next season, as Macca says below 10 games next season for us wont benefit him too much. The thing i like about him is that he seems like a cool customer. I think thats essential in all good keepers. Schmeichel was a nut case and a one off, but other than that, you see the likes of Cech and VDS and they dont get too excited. Foster seems to have that steady approach and i'd be surprised if in a year or 2 he's not our number 1, and Englands for that matter

Mick, Dublin (13/03/2007 at 09:58)

Just re-read my comments and they are a bit over-critical of Foster. I do think he's a class act and has the potential to be a really top-class keeper. But do I think he's still fairly raw, especially when you compare him to someone with as much experience as VdS - who has, by the way, been in world-class form throughout our recent "blip". He was as big a factor as as any other player in helping us pick up six points against the Fulham and the dippers. I'd also like to go on record and say that KK might turn out to be real contender for the number 1 jersey. It's very difficult to play the odd game and immediately know when to come for the ball and when to leave it to your defenders. Foster has been playing week in, week out, all season so is bound to look much sharper than KK but I think they are BOTH very exciting talents and will both be pushing VdS for a place, if not next season, then the season after.

Frank Old Trafford (13/03/2007 at 10:16)

VDS has never been the best goalie in the prem and for me is no better than most, he is also a veteran, ie past it. It's hard to judge a goalie over a few games as they may not be involved for long periods of some matches. However shot stoppers are ten a penny and the ones with a cool head under pressure and who can dominate the box are few and far between. Foster has more of those qualities than KK, but finally we have 2 good keepers for the next few years. VDS will be 37 next season and I think that it'll be a mistake to have him as our first choice.

chris, oxford (13/03/2007 at 10:27)

Excellent point by Macca, concentration is key at United and is ultimately why Howard failed IMO - when you hardly see the ball in 90 minutes you have to be ready when called upon and if a players concentration levels aren't up to it they will be found out. I think it would be worthwhile bringing Foster back next season and giving him all the cup games to see how he handles the pressure of playing in front of 75,000 at OT. Kitkat is on loan so can be sent back cant he?

Alias Smith, over the moon (13/03/2007 at 10:43)

chris, not sure why KitKat was just on loan this season but his permanent transfer is a done deal for this summer.

chris, oxford (13/03/2007 at 11:41)

OK thanks Alias.

stu, london (13/03/2007 at 11:48)

As I've already posted, Foster looks superb - but none of us can judge him because none of us have seen him play consistently and none of us know how he will respond to playing for United. What we don't want is to rush him into the No 1 shirt too soon, and expose him to the overly negative and critical contingent on here who will shatter his confidence before he's had a chance. VDS is more than capable of holding the fort next season. 2008/9 is the season to unveil Foster.

bobbydazzler (13/03/2007 at 11:52)

CHRIS the deal will become permanent in the summer, remember we paid 4m + mcshane. my mate at west brom cant beleive we sold them mcshane he says he and koumas are their best players

chris, oxford (13/03/2007 at 12:09)

Ah yes, thanks Bobby.

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