A welcome return for VDS...but what now of Foster?

Van der Sar's return, as reported today after successfully completing 90 unscathed minutes in last night's reserve win at Everton, will be a timely and much appreciated piece of news for many United fans. Foster, lets face it, has done anything but impress during this, his most prolific run as United 'keeper. It has been an error-ridden, forgettable couple of months for Ben and unfortunately for him, although keeping 4 clean-sheets in 10 games (including Europe and the Community Shield), it is the flaws of his game and the evident fragility of his confidence that will be pin-pointed when deliberating his future as United/England no.1.
To be between the sticks at one of the best clubs in the world - where performance levels are constantly high and the room for error very low - decision making, control of the defence and, most importantly, genuine ability(!) is beyond essential. Any mistakes will be, and should be, highlighted whenever they occur; and that's exactly what's happened.




I was reading with great interest and, of course, immense scepticism at what garbage was placed on bbc's 606 in response to VDS's return...yet begrudgingly, it was all quite agreeable. Foster was described as the 'weak link in our defence armour', and that he has been 'at fault for many goals against us'. Weak at dealing with crosses, one-on-ones and poor positioning. All fair observations. Then his errors (mistakes, errors in judgement etc) were pointed out, and when you see it all laid out in front of you, there's nothing you can really do but thank the heavens than the big-man is back and pray that either Ferguson gives up on Foster, or (being less harsh) hope this spell in goal came far too early for him and the experience he gains from it will enhance him as a player.
So, let's go through it all, shall we?


1. The Community Shield. Chelsea. 1-2. He flapped at the cross to let Carvalho slip one in comfortably.

2. Burnley (a). 0-1. Argument: Blake's shot could have been beaten away if he covered his post sufficiently. Against: No chance. The shot was like a bullet coming out of an AK. And surely Blake should have been picked up by the defence? Not giving him the chance and time to pick out the shot.

3. Arsenal (h). 2-1. Arshavin's effort should of been pushed away; at least tipped away for a corner. Hmm, this was also a bit of a wonder goal, like Blake's, but it travelled at a slower pace and from further out. He should have done better.

4. City (h). 4-3. This is where they start coming in thick and fast. Foster should have held it far better than he did, yet you can't give a player like Tevez a chance to snatch it like that, as his hesitation led Carlos to find Barry who slotted into an open net.

5. City (h). 4-3. Of course Ferdinand's idiocy should not be forgotten, but Foster allowed Bellamy far too much room to slot it in at the near post as he went down too quickly. This shows signs of indecisiveness as he wasn't sure how to close Bellamy down, and general nervousness (again, that lack of vital confidence) when a team is on the attack.

6. Sunderland (h). 2-2. Jones should never of won the aerial battle as he headed into the unguarded net. His lack of confidence and failure to react quick enough being the issues here.

I could go through each one and say how he is potentially not to blame as our lack of strength and consistency at the back must also be taken into account. But the fact is he has made mistakes; mistakes you feel someone as professional and reliable as Edwin would not. Although I feel for Foster that he hasn't taken his chance while van de Sar was out injured, my only real concern is the impact a player playing badly has on my team, and how it affects results. Noone is saying Foster's poor performances have cost us all the points we've lost this season (only 5 out of a possible 24, mind), however a fresh injection of reliability and trusted aptitude at the back is much needed right now.

Foster is not our only liability at the moment, it is the whole defensive unit; even Rio and Vidic have had howlers. So nice try Ben, but right now let a true legend re-enter the fore, as we will now hopefully start to see some proper Manchester United stability and coordination at the back; the sort that led us, and Van der Sar, to not concede in 1,311 straight minutes.