Who should be between the sticks for Palace's opening game of the season at Norwich? by Gary Byfield tries to decide.
Last season was of course a successful one with the team finishing top half and securing another campaign in the English Premier League, however it was not without its lessons learnt and one lesson that most will agree on was the need for someone to step between the posts once Julian Speroni's reign comes to an end. The recent CPFC preseason trip to South Africa came to host some what of a goalkeeping monage-a-trois with the expected, but strangely delayed, announcement of former QPR stopper Alex McCarthy joining the men in red and blue.
The arrival of McCarthy was not a surprise and had been on the cards for a while but he has joined an already strong line up. Competition was already high with SE25 legend and fans favourite Julian Speroni along with Welsh number one Wayne Hennessey battling it out last season.
With reports suggesting that former Palace boss, Tony Pulis, was interested in WH it seemed as though we would be down to 2 potential first choice keepers however the recent news that Speroni is out for 4-6 weeks it now seems to be between Hennessey and McCarthy as to who will take the number 1 albeit perhaps temporarily.
With rumours circulating that WH was due to move to WBA to join up with his former gaffer social media was awash with condemnation of letting him go. He has been given very little league game time and has mainly pulled on the Palace for the cup, during Speroni's injury and and at the end of the season to allow JS to stay fit for his testimonial.It was felt amongst fans that he wasn't given a fare crack and he was the perfect replacement as first choice and should actually start the season as number 1.
When he has payed he has performed competently and consistently. Under Alan Pardew Palace have never lost with WH in goal with one of his notable performances against Southampton away in the FA Cup which Palace managed to squeeze out a 2-3 win.
A lot like AM his strengths comes from his height, command and his very very long kick. In the modern game a good goal kick can immediately turn into an offensive move and put the opposition on the back foot which is something Palace have been missing from having JS in goal.
Alex McCarthy joins us from QPR with very little game time since joining the club from Reading. He was kept out the side by Rob Green and he will be hoping the same does not happen at Palace. His stock was high when leaving Reading and even had offers from Liverpool but he ironically chose QPR to ensure first team action, needless to say that unfortunately did not happen.
His debut for Palace was questionable and came against Sporting Lisbon in the final of the preseason tour. Unfortunately for him the game ended 2-0 with the first goal coming from a free kick that couldn't be stopped by a weak hand, most will say he should have done better.
The performance was a shaky one and did not show a man at the peak of his confidence. This, I believe, can be put down to nerves and a lack of game time. His second start for the club was more positive and kept a clean sheet against Bromley before being subbed at the 70 minute mark.
There is very little to choose between the 2 relatively new additions to the squad, however given the situation with Speroni and the performances during pre season I believe WH is the deserved number 1 choice leaving McCarthy to warm the bench. A lot like his time at QPR. However this does not mean that will happen and given AM left QPR to get first team football Pardew must have given him some reassurance that this would happen.