Aug 05
Can Foster Capitalise On Lucky Break?
Luck isn’t really a word you would associate with Ben Foster. He’s had more than his fair share of misfortune during his stop-start career thus far although this could be the chance that the England international has been waiting for and, if you can excuse the pun, I’m sure he’s ready to grab it with both hands.
Yes I’m sure the news will have filtered through to you by now but for those not in the know, our number 1, Edwin van der Sar, has been ruled out of action for up to eight weeks meaning he will inevitably miss the start of the season.
Van der Sar suffered the injury when he saved a Daniel Pranjic penalty in the 7-6 spot kick defeat to Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup last week. The 38-year-old has therefore undergone surgery on what has been diagnosed as a broken finger and bone in his left hand.
So step forward Benjamin Anthony Foster. This really is his big chance, or so you would have thought. I know we have Tomasz Kuszczak waiting in the wings too but to be honest I’d be more confident if John O’Shea was the man put between the sticks.
OK so that last statement was a tad harsh, I agree, but Foster does look the obvious replacement. When the now 26-year-old signed a new deal last month that will tie him down at Old Trafford until June 2013, Sir Alex confirmed himself on the club’s official website that: “Ben is seen as one of the best young goalkeepers in England and we genuinely see him as a successor to Edwin.”
Does he have the credentials then? Well I don’t think that’s really up for debate. We all know that Foster has the ability as he proved in the Carling Cup Final victory over Spurs. I believe it’s a question of whether he is capable of handling the pressure and stepping up into the limelight. In fairness, as a Manchester United goalkeeper, you’re rarely faced with a barrage of opposition attacks but on those few occasions he will be called into action, it remains to be seen whether Foster will keep a cool head and cut out any potential errors.
Ben Foster certainly deserves his chance and while most United fans are undoubtedly reeling at the thought of van der Sar being missing for the first bundle of games this season, Warwickshire-born Foster will be secretly delighted at the chance he will have, or you would expect him to have, to step-up.
I mentioned that luck isn’t really Foster’s forte and for the countless occasions he has been particularly unlucky, no one can begrudge him this stroke of good fortune. Unfortunately injuries have been the fundamental stumbling block in the progression of the career of a truly promising goalkeeper.
After a broken finger here and a twisted ankle there, Foster is now back in contention having missed the back end of last season. With a World Cup just around the corner, the next couple of months could prove the most crucial in the career of the former Stoke City keeper.
An error-prone Pole and the recovery rate of the highest capped Dutchman in the history of international football stands in the way of Foster staking his most potent claim yet that he is ready to permanently vacate the number one jersey for both club and country.
Related items from Red Rants:
- So How Good Is Ben Foster? — A Watford Fan’s Perspective
- The Tuesday Theory: Time for extended Foster-Care?
- Dear Ben Foster
- United related links
- Free tickets for United v Villa final
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Red Ranter: But I love the caps – you gonna ban me then my friend?
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Match ratings
Foster- was not tested but he was steady and he can kick the ball far 7
De Laet- this lad…has suprised all. If he was signed for 10 mil he would be in the first team. He should be playing more..terrific performance 8.5
Ferdinand-class but a few balls went through and a few players unmarked 7
Evans- same as ferdinand and brought the ball out of defence well 7
Evra-good performance good tackles 7
Valencia- MOM. Pace,power,intelligence,crossing…the lad has it all. He beat men like they werent there and delivered good crosses…actually they were great. He will shine this season! 9
Carrick- a few loose balls spread the play well got forward quite a bit 6.5
Fletcher- Did what he always does…ran and ran 7
Tosic- Good pace,should have scored,looks to be getting stronger 6
Owen- Ahhhh he had chances…bout 4…the valencia keeper was excellent and made it difficult but should have got at least two goals but that said he was always there to be on the end of them 6.5
Rooney- The boy is bang on form,missed an early chance but took his header from valencias cross superbly,he looks back to his best 8.5
Cleverly- another player to add to our big squad,looks quick and comfortable,took his goal well 7
O’shea- solid as usual 7
Berbatov- good pace on the wing looks good to 7
Kuzchak- good game good save…id have him in goal on sunday
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I’m not sure why Valencia is being slated. Do we miss Ronaldo that much to simply dismiss a good performance by his supposed replacement? I was really impressed. He is extremely fast. The fastest man on the pitch today. He can cross the ball well. I mean if you can get Wayne to score with his head you must be quite accurate. He can beat players one on one and even two on one. He can shoot well and makes the right decisions. Excellent player. Owen. Missed 4 sitters. That’s the only time you’ll ever hear that. Once off. Movement was great and clever. Rooney. Okay and bad in the 1st half. Played like his 2004 self towards the end and in the 2nd half was brilliant. Tosic should be sold to avoid further embarrassment. De Leat was brilliant. Super performance 4 a youngster. Nani should be played more often for crying out loud. Is he being punished for some reason? Anderson is improving with every game and brings urgency and ideas. Overall. We haven’t imploded since the departure of Carlos and Ronaldo. But we haven’t improved either.
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@Craig Mc:
Good to see you back bro! 
Still think Tony will do wonders for us, even in the big games. He is strong, skilful, incredibly fast and really can cross. Not very unlike Nani, who I hope starts every game possible on the left wing instead of Tosic(who just sucks, how the fuck can he be in United?!) and Park(even though BigDick should be used agaisnt Arsenal to get all the attenstion from their meterosexual kids 
). You know I love Nani, but I also love Tony! In fact, I love wingers! So I hope for more Nani-Valencia action! 
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@Dan: What sort of fucking logic is that eh? Frank Lampard GOALS win games, and if he wins games, WTF else matters eh?
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@Footy4Eddy: Denis Irwin, I tell you!
Seriously, was it a repeat performance of the game against Hull?
If he’s that good, and if he can play as full back on both sides then we’ve got Philip Lahm’s soon-to-be master.
@Dan: To be fair Lampard is a much, much better passer than Gibson. When Gibson hit the bar, I was half annoyed with him for not spotting an open Berbatov. If it was for any ordinary CM the choice of a shot instead of a pass would have drawn moans all round. Can you imagine the frustration of Anderson shooting and finding row Z when Berba was open for a tap-in?
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@Footy4Eddy: ando will score 5+ and gibbo 5+ we dont need silva
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@Jay wire: To be honest I think we have improved a lot! Our general team play has improved, and we look a lot more unpredictable. We have a new dimension in the team thanks to Owen, and Valencia who looks like a combo of Becks and Ronny. At this moment: Tony>Ronny.
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@Footy4Eddy: Eddi mi man, I thought Antonio was ok in the pre season against the minnows – but I am amazed that you are impressed with his play against the BETTER teams, because I am not. I have to watch the caps, because RR loves to kick my arse in these things!
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@Footy4Eddy: Antonio – A combo of Becks and Ronaldo – are you fucking drunk my friend?
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@Jay wire: We haven’t improved? Maybe its a bit early, but the signs are looking good.
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Anyone here can clear up the confusion?
Is David Silva a winger or an Attacking central midfielder?
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@Craig Mc: Why do you hate valencia so much?
He is better then nani.
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@NicoQB: He can play across the midfield and off the striker. Hope that helps.
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@Craig Mc: There is a fine line between using it for emphasis, and overusing it to annoy people. I trust you know what that is
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@Craig Mc: I know you’re kinda excited from being back and all…
But if you really want to make your points clear just use bold. Highlight your text and click on the small arrow above the text box and click on Strong.
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@Taehr: Berba GOOD pace on the WING. he is supposed to be a centre forward FFS my friend!
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@NicoQB: I wish I could my friend, but my computer is fucked up lol
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@NicoQB
I wrote abt Silva in that Audi cup post …
Actually lot of people talk abt Silva as a pure winger when he aint one.
That is one of the reason why he did not figure that much into Valencia`s starting 11 however fits into Spanish team right away.
He is a rare breed of mid-fielder/winger .
His style of play is almost the same as Iniesta .
Excellent dribbling skill , small accurate passes , enough pace to beat rb/lb and capacity to shoot and cross consistently ..
He will never be replacing Nani as LW ! He is a damn good creative player with the capacity to play in wings , below the striker & “Defends very well”
He will fill the void we were always talking abt , the need for one more proper creative mid-fielder.
He will keep on passing and moving !!!
He will fit in into 4-3-3 style very well ..
Today Silva showed his class …(did u see grognard ??
)
His short passes with both legs, runs , thro passes were cutting edge.
Hope fergie takes a interest in him !!!
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@Red Ranter: I am sure you know me well enough to know I am not trying to ANNOY people, or do you lol?
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@NicoQB: Mmmmmm – I wouldn’t use the word excited mate! Think that is a misnomer!
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@Dan: bang on Valencia is better than nani!
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@Dan: I don’t hate Valencia mate – but I cannot agree that he is better than Nani – and I think this season will prove it. So lets wait and see eh?
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@Taehr: Now I know you talk SHIT. Why did I doubt
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@Craig Mc: What does nani do better though?
Valencia is rgw better dribble, more direct, more likely to put a cross in, stronger, tracks back, better decision maker, much faster.
Valencia is an ultimate out and out winger. Nani is a poor mans ronaldo.
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@Dan: Thanks.
Wiki concurs too: “…Silva is capable of playing on either wing or as a traditional number 10, and sometimes as a supporting striker…”
Its just that its the rarest of things to have a player capable of playing on wings as well as in central positions and this effectively.
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@Craig Mc: Ok, are you Craig or his mate/brother commenting from his ID. I thought you made your peace with personal attacks of this sort. What’s with the high testosterone today mate?
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@Dan: Well this season is going to REVEAL all, and I think we will see who is right? You have faith in Valencia, I in Nani – so lets see eh? This season will tell us all we need to know!
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@Craig Mc: Overuse of caps annoy, intent or not. Especially when you capitalise an entire sentence.
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@Craig Mc: I know but he did ran down the wing like valencia! i was suprised!
What are the odds of neville playing more games than de laet? i would make that bet
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@Red Ranter: ?????? personal attckas – please RR reveal them, cos I have no idea what you afre referring too – seriously. Please enlighten me –
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@Red Ranter: Craigs on viagra….
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@Rick: Thanks, great piece of info there. Appreciate the effort. If he’s half as good as you claim him to be I’m all for singning him.
Else, as an aside not many people mentioned, Carrick has not been looking good recently, but Evra looked sharper, at least tonight. Hope he carries this form into the start of the season.
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OK craig Nani is better…thats why he started today and created two goals…And thats why he will start more games than valencia this year…
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@Taehr: I love De laet mate – he is massive – end of!
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@Dan:
True, but I actually agree with him that this blog needs a little lightning up. Its been dire for the last few days, from what I see…
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@Taehr: Dont be sarco mate – SAF said on MUTV that those playing today were in need of more minutes to get them match ready than those who did not play. So wouldn’t look too much into it mate! Please yourself though, I love the deluded!
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@Dan: Come on just because Valencia’s been good, doesn’t necessarily imply that Nani’s crap.
As a matter of fact Nani’s been one of the best players in the pre-season. There’s love for everyone here.
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@Craig Mc: Get your point mate, and agree to some effect.
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@Dan: I dont need Viagra mate – my GF is well satisfied with things how they should be – ask her! I don’t need false boosting, I am already the REAL DEAL – sounds like you aren’t Dan, seeing as you know all about Viagra!
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@Footy4Eddy: Knew you would Bro – you and me on the same wave length
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@Craig Mc:
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@NicoQB: Nico SAF agrees with you, he was just saying on MUTV tonight that Anderson and Nani have done so well, and he believes they will be great for United this season. So I don’t argue with the blind, we will see eh?
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@Dan:
, yeah mate – plenty of the you know what, and no need for help from Viagra or any other drugs 
.
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@NicoQB: yea why do we have to choose one why not have them on ether side and switch as often as they like threw out the game.
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I’ve been thinking…Gibson? The new Lampard? No way.
All his shots are on target without needing “the odd deflection”
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@Craig Mc: If Park gets more games than Nani this season I promise you I will personally swin over to England, walk to Manchester, and tell Fergie to open his eyes because he is ruining one of the greatest talents in world football.
And if Tosic gets more games than Nani, I am going to kidnap Zoran and send him back to Serbie after an extreme makeover! I cant tolerate such nonsense!
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@Taehr: Same here, as much as it pains me to say so…
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To the Oh, Teddy Teddy tune!
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH, Nani nani
Nani came from Sporting and he won the lot!
Oh Nani Nani
Looked like Michael Jackson but with better moves!
What a goal, what a goal, Nani what a goal!
He scores the goal, flip-flaps them all, NANI SCORES GREAT GOALS!
———————-//———————
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