Ben Foster: Keeper of the Future?

By: Taylor Rockwell | October 5th, 2009

Saturday’s match against Sunderland saw yet another questionable performance from current Manchester United keeper Ben Foster. United and Sunderland were tied at one all when a deft cross from Andy Reid was headed home by Black Cats striker Kenwyne Jones. Some (including Sir Alex Ferguson and Ben Foster) will argue that this goal was the result of Jones fouling Foster in order to win the cross. Others will point to this incident as further evidence of Foster’s uncertaintly between the posts.

Obviously, Jones is a rather large fellow but Foster had the momentum and (to some extent) the advantge going in. Yet, when all was said and done, Foster was on the ground and the ball was in the back of the net. Sunderland went up 2-1, and only a deflected rocket from Patrice Evra saved United the embarrassment of a home defeat.

I have always been quick to support Foster, as I have consistently rated him higher than Tomasz Kuszczak. Yet, Foster seems to have lost a significant amount of confidence in his deputized stint as the Red Devil’s preferred #1. So what does the future hold for Foster? He was dropped from the England squad this weekend (due to an apparent chest injury) and is questionable to make the final roster for the team that will travel to South Africa.

But what of his future at United? Will he remain the heir to the throne once Van der Sar retires, or will we see Foster in a different jersey in the near future?

Should Ben Foster be Edwin Van der Sar’s longterm replacement?(survey software)

Editorial Addition: Here are the match highlights for the draw with Sunderland. Give the Jones goal a good look and then judge for yourself in the poll below. The goal comes at the 5:38 mark…

Watch Manchester United v Sunderland MotD Highlights in Sports | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

What’s Your Verdict on Kenwyne Jones’ Goal?(opinion)

Some Related Man United Posts:

Category: Manchester United

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B. Ams

Foster is just not good enough for Man United..and I don't think any big clubs would want him...Capello has seen enough..let's be honest, he's quite slow and average...we can't afford to take any more risk to "give him more time"..we are not Wigan or Fulham..we can't afford to lose any more points...have you guys seen all the mistakes he made? If you look at the stats..how many truly STUPID mistakes he has made in the 20 matches he played for United???The one against Malaysia in the pre-season was the worst..really terrible...hasn't he got enough time to learn not to make those stupid mistakes again???and low in confidence in dealing with crosses and corners..and poor in clearance..let's be honest, he is not good enough...for all those saves he has made, let's be honest, others in the EPL could do as well or even better...even Kuczczak is better, sharper..more reliable, consistent..yet we still need a world class goalkeeper..
matt

well crap. don't mind me.
martin

Matt, one of his seasons at Watford was in the Premiership.
matt

he needs to learn how to make a fist with his right hand then lift it towards the ball he was trying to catch instead of being an idiot. his time at watford? oh friggin wow...i mean really? we're talking about the top flight not the league where 3 random teams come up from to get their heads kicked off every week with the big boys. it's not even worth mentioning that. he can take a walk.
Mike de Vries

I think we can all agree that Foster is a fine keeper. His time at Watford wasn't an accident. He may not be the keeper for United though. He could benefit from being busier throughout 90 minutes. Being a keeper for a top club takes a different kind of mental strength and focus.
SD

Put Kuszczak in the goal and when VDS comes back loan Foster out again.
matt

foster is crap, you guys. all he had to do, really, was punch that. he got there in time and his instinct was to try and catch against a huge dude? sorry that's not good enough and he hasn't been good enough except for one exceptional (and lucky) save against van persie in the arsenal game. other than that he's been pure crap, often out of position and when in position fumbling around like an idiot. rather have the failbot in instead of him.
martin

Thanks for putting those highlights up, just what I needed. Cracking finish from Berbatov :) Foster did look pretty sus for that goal, although it looked like Jones pushed him.
Jacob

though*
Jacob

thats what i usually end up doing also. Man Utd are one of the best teams in the world. They need to have a keeper who is also one of the best in the world. From what i've seen so far this season Foster isn't up to that. I really do hope that he steps up his game and becomes one of the best. At the moment thought i'd rather buy akinfeev
Taylor Rockwell

As of 1:44PM the post has been updated with highlights and a second poll... Enjoy...
Taylor Rockwell

I wonder if the season Foster remains a viable option is in any way related to Tim Howard. I mean, he's arguably the best keeper in the league? Would he be if he were still an United... maybe... maybe not... But the fact remains Fergie let him go and now we're in a different situation... Foster clearly has the raw potential... Selling him could end up putting him in a situation similar to Howard's...
martin

Jacob that's what I usually end up doing in Football Manager :)

I'm unsure about Foster at the moment. In his current form Kuszczak is probably the better keeper. To be honest I've been wondering which, if either, keeper is the answer for some time now (as I'm sure you all have). But keepers come and go, form comes and goes, who knows where either one will be when Edwin eventually retires, either club-wise or form-wise.

In Sir Alex we trust.
Colin

This thread may get intense. I think Foster has so many qualities that you can't teach - instinct, reaction, etc... But right now, he doesn't have it mentally.

I am not ready to give up on him, plus keepers tend to come into their own later in their career.

If he hadn't been anointed the next greatest English keeper, than most of these debates wouldn't happen.
Jacob

man utd should buy akinfeev when VDS hangs up his gloves.