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I see Ruddy has dropped out of the squad and some fella I've never heard of has replaced him.

Never played a first team game for Birmingham and only a handful of games on loan to Cheltenham.

Seems Woy could of done worse than take a look at Wes or some other of the lower league keepers if this is the standard deemed to be good enough to be England's No. 3.

Even matey boy from the Pox is a decent keeper and certainly got plenty of practice last season - although he may be injured at the moment.

Butland has played for England at every level upto and including U21.  He played more than a handfull of games for Cheltenham (24) and by all accounts is a very talented keeper.

Makes more sense than selecting someone like Wes IMO

It shows how awful the goalkeeping situation is. The forwards aint much better mind...

24 games for Cheltenham or an entire season with the League Champions and a host of clean sheets to boot?

Know which one I would choose

so do i. Neither

The likelihood of the #2 keeper playing is remote, the chanes of the #3 almost nil.

For that reason it makes some sense to take a young keeper as your #3.

I guess being the U21 keeper he would be the prime candidate for that.
Besides, Wes is busy in Mexico

Wes didn't have an entire season by any means, clean sheets are as much a result of the defence as the keeper.

I know which one I'd chose....the one who has already played for his country in 2 major youth tournaments.

I think it's a decent idea to use a useless position within the squad on someone who could benefit from being around atmosphere of a major tournament.

Cancun sucks. Should have gone to Aruba

I expect he's been called up because he's the only english goal keeper who isnt on already on holiday.

Exactly the same all those years ago when Joe Lewis got called up once and never ever again.

So by using your logic a keeper should be chosen from a team at the bottom of the league as he would have got the most practice.

And I would have thought any League games are a tad more competitive than U-21 games

No but equally I don't think league position or clean sheets are much of a indication to a keepers ability.

I need to stop it now cos it might sound like I'm degrading Wes when in reality he is our best keeper since Digby.  All I'm saying is that if they are looking to the lower leagues for a 3rd keeper then Butland is the logical choice for me

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

There has been some shite on here recently but the suggestion that Oxford goalkeeper Ryan Clarke should be considered for the England national side tops the lot. Even worse than the Nigel Adkins to Liverpool comment not so long ago.

You've misconstrued my point - I meant that if playing 24 games for Cheltenham is deemed good enough to get an England call up then any half decent keeper in League 2 should be in the mix.

And, animosity apart, Clarke aint a bad keeper

Butland's was on holiday...in Mexico. He's now flying back.  He was on the standby list when the squad was announced though.

By all accounts this lad is the dogs bollocks and will go on to be something very special

Made some errors late on for Cheltenham. I'm not saying this guy isn't going to brilliant, but he's not the finished article and has next to no experience. Should be nowhere near the England squad on merit.

That said, its not much different from when Walcott went for the jollie experience. I've not got a problem with it.