Journalist and Edge of the Box host Dan Bardell has called Fraser Forster a “bizarre” goalkeeper, suggesting he looks ‘quite awkward’ amid his fine performance for Southampton last weekend.
Forster was in top form for the Saints at the weekend during their 1-0 victory over Arsenal, even securing a place in WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the Week as a result. However, speaking on the latest Edge of the Box episode, Bardell questioned the 34-year-old’s consistency between the sticks.
He said: “Fraser Forster’s an interesting one. I just find him a bizarre goalkeeper.
“When I watch him, he looks quite awkward, and he lets in things that I always think he should save. But then he did pull off some great saves at the weekend.”
TIF Thoughts on Forster…
The Saints picked up a surprising win on Saturday, and Forster played a huge role. He made six important saves, keeping a clean sheet as the Gunners laid siege to his goal as they looked to reignite their Champions League push. As per SofaScore, he was the best player on the pitch.
That, of course, has not always been the case. That was just one of three clean sheets he has kept in the Premier League in 15 outings, conceding 26 in the other 12 matches. Across the last two terms, he has often fallen behind Alex McCarthy as the No 1 goalkeeper in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s pecking order.
Should Forster stay at Southampton?
Yes
No
He has also come under criticism in the past, but with six England caps and appearances in the Championship and Scottish Premiership, he has had a solid career that indicates he is a little bit better than “bizarre” or “awkward”. With his contract running out at the end of the season, it remains to be seen whether the Saints think the same.