Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy reveals surprise at Ward-Prowse World Cup snub #SAINTSFC #WorldCup2022

December 2, 2022
SAINTS goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has expressed his surprise that ‘ridiculous’ James Ward-Prowse failed to make Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad. Ward-Prowse earned his 11th cap in June’s 0-0 Nations League draw with Italy but for the second successive major tournament, the Saints captain missed the cut for Southgate’s final squad. While his form has nosedived alongside his entire team, Ward-Prowse still leads the Premier League in distance covered this season, something McCarthy pointed to recently on The Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast. 1️⃣7️⃣4️⃣km 🤯@Prowsey16 has covered more ground than any other #PL player so far this season 🏃‍♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/nYQwPokNDp — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) November 22, 2022 "He regularly covers more than 12 kilometres in a game, which is just ridiculous,” the back-up Saints keeper said. “To be fair, I was surprised he didn't go to the World Cup." "He is just unbelievable. You just expect him to score or at least hit the target, when he takes a free-kick. "You know he is going there with the whip he can get on the ball, and you try to go early, but he can just go the other side. I wind him up in training because I do go early, but his technique is just unbelievable and he is so professional with the work he does on and off the pitch, he deserves it.” A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2022-2023-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy reveals how close he was to joining Liverpool #SAINTSFC #LFC

December 1, 2022
SAINTS goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has revealed he was close to signing for Liverpool before a call from Harry Redknapp persuaded him to instead join QPR.  The 32-year-old is now into his seventh season at St Mary’s and has lost his number one role to summer signing Gavin Bazunu, who has played every Premier League minute this year. McCarthy, a Reading shot-stopper at the time, was a wanted man across the Premier League in 2014 and had played under then-Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers with the Royals. He reveals being stood at a train station ready to head to Merseyside when another former Saints manager gave him a call. "The move to QPR was strange because I'd worked with Brendan before at Reading and he wanted to bring me to Liverpool," explained McCarthy on the Yours, Mine, Away! Podcast. "The morning I ended up going to QPR, I was about to get on the train to Liverpool but then I had Harry Redknapp call me.” McCarthy’s proposed move to Liverpool had been to provide competition and support for first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. "I knew at Liverpool I wasn't just going to go in and play, obviously he couldn't guarantee me any football,” McCarthy admitted. “But Harry Redknapp called me and obviously he knew about Liverpool and said there are definitely more opportunities to play here so it was a tough situation. "Working with Brendan at Liverpool or Harry at QPR. I was stood at the train station with my dad and my agent going over it and over it and because I had been playing at Reading, I wanted to carry on playing so I ended up going to QPR and signing there. "I'm a big believer that things always happen for a reason. It took me a while to get into the team and I when I did, I played against Liverpool and had to go off with a quad strain so I was out of the team again and Rob (Green) was doing well so it was a weird one. "I had a chance to go to Liverpool but chose to go to QPR. I was there for a season, we got relegated and then I went to Crystal Palace." McCarthy spent just one season at both QPR and Crystal Palace, only playing a total of 10 Premier League games before moving to St Mary’s in 2016. He has now amassed 131 appearances in a Saints shirt but had to wait two seasons until he truly emerged as a number one goalkeeper. McCarthy extended his contract to remain with Saints last year and the deal was finally confirmed by the club this summer, when his previous was due to expire. A message from the Editor Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo. Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website. You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Ralph Hasenhuttl
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl delighted with goalkeeper Fraser Forster’s performances in absence of Alex McCarthy #SAINTSFC

February 18, 2022
RALPH Hasenhuttl remained coy on the future of shotstopper Fraser Forster this week, not allowing himself to be drawn on whether a new deal will be offered to the 33-year-old. Forster has had a varied career at St Mary’s, finding himself in and out of the team – and the club, with the giant goalkeeper spending time on loan at former club Celtic in the recent past. With all four goalkeepers involved in the first team believed to have deals expiring at the end of this campaign, it remains to be seen who out of Forster, Alex McCarthy, Willy Caballero and Harry Lewis will be offered new deals. On top of the predicament of expiring deals, Hasenhuttl’s goalkeeping headache has been worsened by frequent injuries throughout the campaign. Caballero was drafted in after injuries stuck both McCarthy and Forster, with the latter regaining match fitness to reclaim the starting berth in Saints’ XI. With McCarthy still sidelined, Forster has largely impressed since returning in between the sticks, with strong performances in recent weeks. Speaking about Forster, Hasenhuttl commented: "We always speak about chances, and he (Forster) grabbed his chance definitely. "I must say we have a fantastic atmosphere at the moment with the goalkeeping team, Willy Caballero is a fantastic character and Fraser has definitely benefited from him because he is really a good guy. "He has done a fantastic job and this is why after Alex (McCarthy) was injured, we haven't struggled. “We have good replacements and he has done a good job. When pressed on whether Fraser’s recent performances would earn the former Newcastle youngster a new deal at St Mary’s, Hasenhuttl sidestepped the question. Instead, the Austrian chose to praise Fraser for his contributions to the team. "It is always helpful for me and for him if he delivers good performances, which help us, help him and in the end, the club,” added the 54-year-old. “This is what we want."
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl believes Criticism of Alex McCarthy was ‘not right’ #SAINTSFC

December 10, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl admitted his criticism of Alex McCarthy after last weekend's draw against Brighton "was not right", adding how if that situation occurred again "I would do it different". Hasenhuttl slammed his goalkeeper after Saints chucked away two points to draw with the Seagulls, who equalised in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. The Saints boss explained how McCarthy was struggling with a hamstring injury, which has subsequently ruled him out of action for the next three to four weeks, which he felt prevented the goalkeeper from contributing as he would have liked in the closing stages of the 1-1 draw. Speaking straight after the game at St Mary's, boss Hasenhuttl said: "Alex must be here definitely more professional and this is what I missed today in such a game. "I had one change (left) and we couldn’t take it because he didn’t say anything. "This is for me not acceptable." Asked what communication he has had with McCarthy during this week since the incident, Hasenhuttl said: “I was not perfect to do it (speak) after the game, immediately. I had not every information I should have, at that moment it's always the issue, after the game when you don't see everybody. "I hadn’t spoken with everybody. I would do it different, when I know more now about what happened on the pitch. "But now is not the time to speak about it anymore. It's gone. "We have concentration full on the next game. "We took a few good things from the last game to settle us and refocus us for the new challenge we are facing. "Definitely everybody is in good shape at the moment and it’s a pity Alex is out now. "I think also against Brighton he did a very good job and kept us in the game two or three times in a fantastic way. "What happened at the end was not right from my side.”
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl provides update on Fraser Forster and Alex McCarthy injuries #SAINTSFC

December 10, 2021
ALEX McCarthy is set to miss up to four weeks with a hamstring injury, boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed. The club's first-choice keeper this season suffered the problem during last weekend's 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. The 32-year-old played on despite the injury, conceding a 98th-minute equaliser to Neal Maupay. And Hasenhuttl confirmed McCarthy will now spend some time on the sidelines. Second choice Fraser Forster is also unavailable for Saturday's trip to Arsenal, meaning new signing Willy Caballero, who was this week drafted in as a free agent, looks set for his debut. "Alex is out for three or four weeks," said Hasenhuttl. "Fras tried this week, but it’s still a bit too early for him, so he will also still not make it to the game. "That’s the reason why we signed Willy and we are happy to have him here." Asked to explain the nature of Forster's injury, Hasenhuttl added: "Fraser Forster tried it this week. He has a problem near his hamstring or his hip muscle. "It would be for the weekend I think a little bit too early, but he will not be that long out."
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl slams goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after injury #SAINTSFC

December 5, 2021
ANGRY Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl did not hold back in his criticism of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as Saints threw away two points against Brighton. Leading 1-0 heading into 10 minutes of stoppage time thanks to an Armando Broja strike, Saints squandered the win with Neal Maupay firing home after latching onto Jakub Moder's wayward strike. And, after the game, Hasenhuttl revealed a hamstring injury meant McCarthy was unable to attempt to save the late shot, adding how the 32-year-old did not inform him how bad the injury was. Saints only used two subs during the game, so could have introduced substitute Harry Lewis to replace McCarthy, with Fraser Forster already ruled out through injury. Lyanco took a late goal kick due to McCarthy's struggles, but Hasenhuttl says he was not aware of the full extent of the problem. He said: "Alex must be here definitely more professional and this is what I missed today in such a game. "Yes, it is hectic in the end and everything but this is reason why I sometimes change a little bit later, because especially in such a game, you have seen today when you change too early, suddenly one man down. "It was an intense game, it can always happen, something in the end. "Very often we were discussing that I change a little bit later, but today I had one change and we couldn’t take it because he didn’t say anything. "This is for me not acceptable. "This was the reason why we couldn’t play out anymore in the second half. But I didn’t know how tough it (the injury) is. "I thought he could only not play long balls so I kept him in goal. If I could do it again, I would change it, but I couldn’t because I didn’t have the message that it was not possible any more." Asked if he feels McCarthy should have informed him of the severity of the injury, Hasenhuttl added: "Yeah. That’s the reason why we have a substitute goalkeeper on the bench. "This is no problem. He made a big save before. This is where he kept us the three points at first but then when he thinks he cannot jump in the corner from a free-kick then I think it is tough."
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl delighted with competition between Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster #SAINTSFC

November 26, 2021
RALPH Hasenhuttl is keeping faith with Alex McCarthy but sends a message to his squad: “Players who did not show their best performances now have to show up because three games not good in a row is definitely really not helpful to stay in the team.” The 31-year-old former England international will have been left disappointed following both headed goals from Teemu Pukki and Grant Hanley at Norwich during the 2-1 defeat last weekend. Speaking ahead of the visit to Liverpool, boss Hasenhuttl was asked about what pressure Fraser Forster is putting on the number one shot-stopper. McCarthy has posted five clean sheets in 12 matches so far during the 2021-22 Premier League campaign with some impressive saves to boot. Read more That’s why the Austrian has been assured in his faith in the former Reading keeper, but he has stated that three disappointing performances could be enough for any member of his squad to lose their shirt. Alex McCarthy has started every Premier League game this campaign (Pic: Stuart Martin) Assessing the McCarthy and Forster competition, he said: “Everybody is under pressure from somebody else otherwise we wouldn’t be doing our job. “This is not only he goalkeeper but he has to feel that ‘there is somebody putting pressure on me and I have to bring the best performance’. “Alex didn’t show the best performance last week, there is no discussion about it, he knows it, I know it, everybody knows it. “On a normal day he makes the saves for the two goals, this he knows. This is the crucial situation for a goalkeeper, if he makes a mistake it is a goal. We can blame McCarthy all we want, but if we score more in the first half the match is killed. #saintsfc — Erik Franzo (@EFranzo17) November 20, 2021 Hasenhuttl continued: “But I remember also this season in the Watford game he had an unbelievable save to win us three points there, and he had also a few more games where he has unbelievable saves to keep us in the game. “He has done a fantastic job this season so far, this is why I am happy but on the other side it would be the same if Fraser was my number one goalkeeper and Alex is putting pressure on him. Fraser Forster performed well during the EFL Cup contests (Pic: PA) “I know that after one bad game changing it immediately would be horrible because the last thing you want to do is confuse them and not give him trust, but he has to show up – he also knows that one bad game can sometimes happen but you have to immediately show up. “It is not only him but there was a few players who did not show their best performance and they now have to show up because three games not good in a row is definitely really not helpful to stay in the team.”
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Alex McCarthy feels his best years are still ahead of him #SAINTSFC

November 3, 2021
ALEX McCarthy feels his best years are still ahead of him as a goalkeeper, admitting joining Saints has turned out to be "a very good move for me". August marked five years since McCarthy arrived at St Mary's from Crystal Palace. The one-time England international broke into senior football whilst at Reading during the 2010-11 season, eventually nailing down his starting spot three seasons later. However, McCarthy struggled for game-time after leaving Berkshire, playing just 11 games across two seasons at QPR and Palace, before only featuring twice in his first campaign at Saints. It proved to be a season of frustration for McCarthy in 2016-17, playing second fiddle to Fraser Forster before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in October. Since then, chances have become more regular for the Guildford-born ace. He has now usurped Forster to become Saints' clear first choice between the sticks, starting every Premier League game this campaign. Now 31, McCarthy, who kept a clean sheet in Saturday's win over Watford, has played 122 games for Saints since his arrival half a decade ago. "To be honest I didn’t realise I’d been there five years until someone said to me the other day," McCarthy told the Daily Echo. "It’s been a very good move for me. I’m very settled there. "There’s a great feeling around the place, great staff, great players. "It’s a nice place to go and work every day. I’ve played a lot of games there now, I want to play a lot more games and keep developing my game as much as possible." Despite a number of younger goalkeepers breaking into Premier League sides in recent seasons, of the 20 regular starting top-flight stoppers, six are older than McCarthy in Lukasz Fabianski, Hugo Lloris, Kasper Schmeichel, Vicente Guaita, Ben Foster and Tim Krul. McCarthy turns 32 next month, but asked if he feels his best years are still ahead of him as a goalkeeper, he said: "Yeah, definitely. The positives are I’ve got a lot of experience now. "I’m enjoying playing football. I’m 31, I’ve still got a lot of time ahead of me. "I just want to keep improving and helping the team as much as possible." Alex McCarthy is an ambassador for the FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards, celebrating the heroes who go above and beyond for the grassroots game. Find out more at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Ralph Hasenhuttl pleased with Alex McCarthy improvement #SAINTSFC

October 22, 2021
BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl is pleased with his side's defensive progress this season, and believes goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has shown clear improvement on last season. Having started 2020-21 as clear first choice, McCarthy lost his spot during the campaign, eventually sharing goalkeeping duties with Fraser Forster during the closing weeks, with Saints safe from relegation. Speaking last week, McCarthy admitted that period towards the end of the season was "frustrating", adding how he felt he had come back in pre-season "in good shape" having gone away and analysed his performances over the summer. The 31-year-old has subsequently been between the sticks for every Premier League match so far this term, keeping his third clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Leeds United last time out. Asked how happy he had been with McCarthy this season, Hasenhuttl told the Daily Echo: "I think he had some very good games. "Like all the players, not without any mistakes in some games, but I think the whole package was so far a better one than last season in the end. "I think our whole defence is much better now. He had some outstanding games, like against Man City, also against Chelsea away he was fantastic and kept us in the game for a long time. "I think we are trying to develop him in every part of his game and when you go this road with us, I think all three goalkeepers (McCarthy, Fraser Forster and Harry Lewis) have made good progress. "You can see it and feel it in every session. We need this." Last season, Saints finished 15th in the Premier League table, but only relegated West Brom (76) conceded more than the 68 shipped by Saints, culminating in a 3-0 loss at West Ham on the final day. And while Saints are finding things tougher at times at the other end of the pitch so far this term, their defensive record has improved. After eight games, just seven sides have conceded fewer than Saints, who have let in 10 so far, three of which came on the opening day at Everton. "Especially our defensive work last season was definitely not good enough for the Premier League," admitted Hasenhuttl. "This season it looks that it is a little bit more solid. "We were working very hard on this part. We had now three clean sheets in eight games. "That’s a good average so far and when you keep on going like this, it’s easier for us to win games." Saints will be seeking back-to-back victories when they welcome Burnley to St Mary's on Saturday (3pm).
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Alex McCarthy talks about pressure and social media ‘negativity’ #SAINTSFC

October 15, 2021
ALEX McCarthy has revealed how he handles “pressure and negativity” from social media after a difficult performance, but admits: “I make mistakes. It will always be a part of the game.” The 31-year-old Saints shot-stopper has stepped up in big moments for the club when needed – and was crucial to the club’s Premier League survival during Mark Hughes’ tenure. But equally, as he says, McCarthy has made his share of blunders and always looks to bounce back. When it comes to social media, that’s where most of the abuse targeted at players finds itself. McCarthy has a Twitter account, but doesn’t use it all that often. Disappointing end to the season, not at the level we demand from ourselves but lots of positives to take from what’s been a very tough season for everyone. We look forward to having you all back with us at St Mary’s in August. Thank you for all the support 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/EoTxSW2ryY — Alex McCarthy (@Alex_Macca23) May 24, 2021 He spoke openly about the pressure of performing and abuse that comes with errors at the top of the game, saying: "There is always going to be pressure and negativity. "There always will be, with footballers it just gets highlighted a lot more. "Some players are on social media, I am but I do not use it a lot. There are games where I do not perform as well as I should have. I will always be the first to hold my hand up. "I make mistakes. It will always be a part of the game. It's about how you adapt and deal with them. "I wouldn't say that I get down about it because I just get my head down, I go through things with my goalkeeping coach and I try to rectify it. Alex McCarthy has played every minute of the 21-22 Premier League campaign (Pic: PA) "I always go into the next game with a fresh mind and ready to improve.” McCarthy has staked his claim again to be Saints’ keeper going forward this season with some good performances, and is likely to sign a new contract and stay with the club. Fraser Forster, on the other hand, is likely to leave – and therefore a transfer will be made that will provide competition to McCarthy, and maybe even a move that takes the number one shirt. For this season, though, McCarthy highlights how it’s a holistic improvement at the back that has reduced the goals going in. "Just as a unit, we are a lot more solid this season. It really was the big topic that we spoke about over the summer," he continued. Happy birthday to me! pic.twitter.com/SsEXR7VVUN — Oriol Romeu (@OriolRomeu) September 24, 2020 "We did not want to concede anywhere near as many goals as we did last term, so we worked on it a lot during pre-season and on how we can be a lot more solid and compact. We've shown that we can do that up until now. "It's quite simple, to be fair. There are times in games when you get overrun and we need the midfield to step in and help, we need that communication," he explained. "It is something that we have worked a lot on. As a unit, you can see now, we look a lot harder to break down and a lot harder to get crosses in against. We're defending for our lives."
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Alex McCarthy admits being in & out of Southampton squad frustrated him #SAINTSFC

October 14, 2021
SAINTS’ number one Alex McCarthy has revealed his frustration at being embroiled in a battle for the shirt with fellow keeper Fraser Forster during the second half of last season.  The 31-year-old shot-stopper has started every 2021-22 Premier League game of the campaign so far, but only kept his first clean sheet of the calendar year in September – partly due to being in and out of the team from March onwards. McCarthy was absent the first game of 2021 after testing positive for Covid-19, and subsequently missed a 1-0 win over Liverpool, Forster stepping in in his place. The next time Saints would go a Premier League game without conceding a goal would be March 6, a 2-0 win at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane. In net stood the 6foot 7inch ex-Celtic hero once again. Read more That result marked a spell of the final 13 games of the league season, proving to be an unlucky number for McCarthy who had started 24 of the 25 games that came before, only making six of the run-in as Forster made seven. Fraser Forster kept a clean sheet at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane in March (Pic: PA) “Like you say, as a goalkeeper you don’t often come in and out of the team as you need to find that consistency,” McCarthy told the Daily Echo. “So last season it was frustrating in the second half of the season, but it was just something I had to deal with.” He added: “Obviously I went away at the end of the season and sort of went through my games and did a little bit of work here and there, made sure I came back for pre-season in good shape and yeah, I’m here now playing.” As a player, points are always the only thing at the forefront of one’s mind. But as a goalkeeper, it’s impossible to ignore the currency that is clean sheets. Image: Southampton’s Alex McCarthy & Kyle Walker-Peters make @WhoScored’s best-rated XI of English players for 2021/22 so far #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/puwzro5tma — SaintsExtra (@SaintsExtra) September 30, 2021 McCarthy had totalled 24 shut-outs in 128 appearances up to the point of his next, while watching Forster claim the only two of the year – and clean sheets aside, Saints have only won five games in 2021 and McCarthy’s challenger was in net for four of them. “Yeah it was obviously in the back of my mind,” he continued, reflecting on keeping the opposition quiet against West Ham and Man City, “being a keeper that’s what you aim for – clean sheets. Alex McCarthy has sealed his spot as Ralph Hasenhuttl's number one (Pic: Stuart Martin) “Obviously it had been quite a long time so it was nice to get the two the other week, it was frustrating not to get the one against Wolves as well but yeah it is something that you strive for at the end of the game and you want as many as possible at the end of the season.” Saints have newfound competition in almost every area of their first-team squad after Ralph Hasenhuttl and Martin Semmens’ transfer drive to reinforce depth this summer. But the keepers remain the same trio, with Harry Lewis making up the numbers in training. Although he seems to have won the battle outright now, the competition from Forster, McCarthy says, is what helps force him on. “Yeah everyone just rotates round, there’s three of us so it’s a good number and everyone is pushing each other. “It’s a good group to be fair, everyone gets on with everyone, you just try and push everyone to get the best out of each other.”
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #ArmandoBroja has impressed #AlexMcCarthy since his arrival at Saints #SAINTSFC

September 15, 2021
KEEPER Alex McCarthy described as “top-drawer” Armando Broja’s impact off the bench for Saints against West Ham and added: “He applies himself very well.” The Albanian international replaced Adam Armstrong for the final 16 minutes against the Irons on Saturday. Chelsea youngster Broja almost netted his first league goal for his loan club, but saw his shot cannon off the post in the 0-0 draw. He also saw a header cleared off the line by Declan Rice, after meeting James Ward Prowse’s corner. McCarthy said: “All the subs that came on were excellent. They definitely changed the complexion of the game. “Armando when he came on, I thought he was top-drawer. On another day I think that (the shot) goes in rather than coming straight back out. “It was unfortunate not to see that go in but there’s lots of positives we can take.” Broja came through the youth ranks at Chelsea and signed a fresh five-year contract at Stamford Bridge before joining Saints on a season-long deal this summer. He spent last season on loan Eredivisie outfit Vitesse Arnhem, where he made 34 appearances and scored 11 goals. Slough-born Broja also opened his goal account on the senior international stage for Albania earlier this month. Asked what it had been like working with the 20-year-old, McCarthy said: “He’s a great lad along with Tino (Livramento) and everyone else that’s come in. “I think we’ve got a really good bunch of lads this season, there’s a great team spirit there. “He applies himself very well in training and that’s why he’s got his chance in the game and produced.”
Alex McCarthy Southampton
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #AlexMcCarthy on Saints’ wait for first Premier League victory of the season #SAINTSFC

September 14, 2021
GOALKEEPER Alex McCarthy insisted nobody at Saints would be pushing the panic button, as the wait goes on to seal a first Premier League victory of the season. The St Mary’s side picked up a valuable home point against in-form West Ham, following a goalless draw on Saturday. That result means Saints have registered three draws in their past three league outings, with level contests against Manchester United and Newcastle coming after an opening-day defeat to Everton. Saints did seal a comprehensive 8-0 victory over Newport in the Carabao Cup last month. And although victory in the league has eluded them thus far, McCarthy said there were still plenty of plus-points from the club’s recent form. He told the Daily Echo: “It’s obviously massive to get that first win but I wouldn’t say anyone is panicking at the moment. “We knew Saturday was going to be a tough game. There’s lots of positives we can take from that game and it’s going to be a tough game (against Man City) next weekend. “But I think if we apply ourselves like we did on Saturday, we give ourselves a good chance.” McCarthy pulled off a couple of key saves against the Irons, denying the likes of Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen. Saturday’s stalemate was Saints’ first clean sheet since March in the top flight, when they overcame relegated Sheffield United 2-0 at Bramall Lane. “It’s always nice to get the first clean sheet of the season,” added the keeper. “As a group we defended superbly, so great credit all round really. “It’s massive. Obviously clean sheets keep you in games, obviously we want to be conceding as little as possible and scoring as many as possible. “At times, clean sheets are massive for us and we want to build on what we’ve got. “Looking back on it now, it’s a little frustrating. I thought as a team we played really well, we stuck to our game plan. “There were spells in the game where they controlled it and we controlled it. Second half we had a few good chances but on another day, they go in. “It’s a little bit frustrating. Obviously we would have like to come away with three points but West Ham is always a difficult team to play, so a point is better than none. “There’s a lot of positives we can take from that and take into next week.” Saints make the trip to take on Manchester City on Saturday before a Carabao Cup third round tie at Sheffield United on Tuesday, September 21.