A report over the weekend suggested that Southampton would join recently promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers in vying for the signature of Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The Mirror report was thin on the ground in terms of any real substance but as you can imagine online it quickly whipped itself up into a frenzy, garnering plenty of mixed reactions amongst the fanbase.
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We’ve picked out three of the best saves from #SaintsFC’s @Alex_Macca23 during the 2017/18 season: pic.twitter.com/I1cf9AbKGB
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 20, 2018
They say that Saints are ready to move Fraser Forster on after his disappointing year, but I’m not sure one bad season with all the problems we had should be lumped solely on his shoulders, and they also say that Alex McCarthy has been garnering interest.
Why we’d sell either to fund Joe Hart given his fall from grace in recent years is a little beyond me. More than anything it seems to lean on his relationship with goalkeeping coach Dave Watson.
There is a tentative link with Stoke City’s Jack Butland but suggests a fee of more than £35million would be required.
Following that report, Southampton’s twitter feed ran a mini vote for McCarthy’s top three saves last season and fans are hoping the timing of that is a subtle message about the speculation now doing the rounds.
Incidentally, the Bournemouth stop more than topped the vote!
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Which of these three @Alex_Macca23 saves was your favourite? #saintsfc
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 20, 2018
I was just thinking that! That Baines free kick in particular would have hit the net whilst our previous keeper stood and watched it go past him.
— Nath Curto (@Curto80) May 20, 2018
Great saves but it misses the real issue. Forster’s a great shot stopper too but refusal to come off his line cost us dearly in games we should and could have won. Fair play to @Alex_Macca23. Tough job to come in when he did. Behind a better defense this guy will do well.
— Bruce Tennant Ⓜ️ (@bruce_tennant) May 20, 2018
To be fair to Forster, he might have also made those saves. The huge issue he had was the low shots and not coming off his line to claim. #saintsfc
— Issey Prada (@isseyprada) May 20, 2018
I think this might be a subtle message telling us we're not interested in Joe Hart #saintsfc
— Richard House (@MaisonMaison) May 20, 2018
That Right Hand literally kept us in the prem!!???????? Saints #1 for a long time to come!????????????????
— Martin Kane (@kanerdog) May 20, 2018
Saved us from relegation. Player of the season and ought to be in the England squad @GarethSouthgate
— Doctors Trainers (@doctorstrainers) May 20, 2018
3 big saves in 3 massive games. Deserved his player of the year award. Get that contract signed!
— Lee Fielder (@leebrianfielder) May 20, 2018
All three saves won vital points at the end of the season. Would have been relegation if they had gone in.????????????
— Andy Purchase (@1AndyPurchase) May 20, 2018
