Sport
BUTLAND FORM SIMPLY TOO GOOD TO IGNORE – BE BRAVE ROY!
Despite becoming the all-time leading England scorer two months ago, there is a clamouring for Roy Hodgson to do the unthinkable – drop Wayne Rooney following his limp displays for Manchester United, and allow the seemingly unstoppable Jamie Vardy to lead the line in the Three Lions’ upcoming friendlies.
That particular stance is certainly understandable as the United skipper has looked a shadow of his former self consistently this campaign as Louis van Gaal’s men have floundered in front of goal, while Vardy on the other hand is closing in on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in consecutive Premier League games.
However, that is not the only position under review, with one of Hodgson’s most ever-present personnel facing the challenge of an in form rival.
Aside from his mistake against Norwich, which didn’t prove to be too costly, Joe Hart has not really put a foot wrong, and has kept a league-high of seven clean sheets.
Yet, sometimes a player’s form is impossible to ignore, and after overcoming plenty of setbacks, Jack Butland deserves the utmost recognition for the performances he has put in, and should therefore start ahead of Hart in the upcoming friendlies – sometimes change is good.
There is an underlying, traditionalist philosophy in England, where we do our utmost to avoid change. We are in the European Union but still retain our good ol’ British pound sterling. We still use imperial units while the rest of the world has gone metric, we drive on the left, we close our borders to migrants in crisis – because we are British, and we do it our way.
Hodgson is very much of that ilk. He has his favourites, and is loyal to what he feels is his best squad – Andros Townsend had to physically attack a member of Spurs’ coaching staff for the winger to be finally overlooked.
Yet, sometimes, a player’s form and triumph in the face of adversity is impossible to ignore.
Butland has had to play second fiddle for much of his fledgling career to date, despite being hotly-tipped to become a top class goalkeeper right from the start.
Loans at Birmingham, Barnsley, Leeds and Derby followed his permanent move to Stoke, with Asmir Begovic and veteran Thomas Sorensen ahead of him in the pecking order.
All this came after making his senior international debut in an experimental England line-up for a friendly with Italy in August 2012 – becoming England’s youngest ever senior goalkeeper in the process.
Possessing such natural talent, loans at four Championship clubs in less than two seasons would dishearten many, feeling that an England international deserved better recognition.
Butland got on with it, and performed brilliantly everywhere he went, never letting his previous international exploits generate even the slightest hint of ego.
Begovic’s summer move to Chelsea saw Butland finally get his Premier League chance, and boy has he grasped it with both of those ever-so-safe hands.
The 22-year-old has almost single-handedly (pardon the pun) earned Stoke crucial draws and victories already this season, with his incredible display at Newcastle prime example.
“Jack Butland was the difference between us getting one point and three points today. But for him we would have won the game,” Magpies boss Steven McClaren exclaimed after a 0-0 stalemate at St James’ Park having dominated the game. His exasperation said it all.
Hart has only made one error that has led to a goal, and with a formidable backline ahead of him to thank for such impressive protection, Manchester City have the joint-second best defensive record in the league.
The individual stats tell a different story. Butland has four clean sheets in the last five but has had to work much harder than his illustrious rival.
A hard-fought victory over champions Chelsea last time out saw Butland excel again, and cement his place as the stopper with the third-best shots to saves ratio in the division. Hart is hovering above the relegation zone.
Butland averages 3.3 saves per goal, Hart 2.7, he is yet to make an error leading to a goal and, most significantly, Butland has the best overall stats in the top flight.
Hart has been unflappable as England cruised to Euro 2016 qualification, with seven clean sheets in nine, but he was hardly at his busiest against the likes of San Marino and Estonia.
Playing Butland will be no slight on Hart, and if anything will spur on Hart to produce even better for his club – that’s the sort of determined personality he has.
Sometimes, simply rewarding stunning form just makes sense. Even if Butland isn’t handed the jersey on a permanent basis, hard work needs to be rewarded – be brave, Roy, what have you got to lose? This boy deserves his chance.
