Dennis Smith: 'I'd sign Foster now!'

Last updated : 31 January 2005 By Rob Stanway

"Ben Foster looks like what a keeper should be. He makes the right decisions at the right time, he comes for the right balls in the box and he’s got a good kick on him. He didn’t really have many saves to make but from what we have seen in training, he can do that as well", said ex-potter Dennis Smith.

“I saw him for one morning and immediately told John Rudge, I’ll take him now if you want! After what they had said about him, I can see why they rate him so highly."

Stoke City MAD spoke to Iestyn Stevens, the editor of Wrexham MAD to get his view of Foster's loan period.

"The general feeling around the stands and in town, is we have someone very special in Foster, and how he isn't in the potters first team or at least on the bench frankly surprises many of us. He has been magnificant in the two games he has played so far, and by far one of the best keepers we have seen at the Racecourse for some time" said Stevens.

"Everyone I have spoke to about him wishes we could take him for longer, even to the end of the season if possible, because, he if anyone, can help keep us in League One.

"He wasn't tested much against Doncaster, but he was magnificant when called upon producing some good saves. There is a presence about him, our defence seems a lot more confident playing with him, the spirits are high at the back, and we kept our first clean sheet in a long time with him there, whereas with Dibble, Valero and Baker (before he moved to 'wimbledon') there was always an uncertainty between them.

"While that may not last, and we hope it does, you have someone very special in Foster. His kicking is tremendous, but his judgement is superb also, and he's yet to put a foot wrong when called upon.

"It'll be a great shame to let him go at the end of the loan deal if we cannot renew his deal, but the general feeling here is that he is far too good to be in the reserves.