WestHamFirm

Sam1 · Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:22 pm The battle for England's number 1 jersey

With so much talk about who should be Englands number one, i thought i'd make an article comparing the four goalkeepers who are available for England.

Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson has been Englands number 1 since replacing David James in the qualifying campaign for world cup 2006. After an abysmal start to the 2006/07 season for both club and country many are sayinbg his time is over; judging by his record, i'd agree:

Started 9 league games this season, conceding 18 goals in the process including 3 against arsenal and 4 against aston villa. Also, he's only kept one clean sheet.

Following on, he has been held at fault for many of those goals by not collecting the ball well; fumbling or just plain stupidity at times. At country level this is no different.

In a friendly against the old rival germany he conceded two goals, one of which will never be forgotten as it was oh so similar to that of Seaman in 2002. After keeping clean sheets against opposition that are just there to make up the numbers and russia all at home he then concedded 2 away to russia.

David James

After messing up badly 2 years ago he was replaced as stated above. After impressive form at club level for Pompey he has been recalled. However, he has seemed to be returning to his old blundering self recentlyas he conceded 4 against the likes of reading and twice against derby county and on 3 occasions agaisnt arsenal, he has managed to only concede a total of 12 in 10 games this season and kept 4 clean sheets. Whilst many are happy to see him be given the number 1 shirt again i for one believe he is too old and isn't a long term soloution. Besides, if we make it to Euro 2008, will he be able to continue after this.

Scott Carson

Another 'keeper under rated but is he too young? Well his record so far this season while on loan at villa is conceding 10 in 8 games, though he was sent off in one of those games. He's only kept 4 clean sheets though one was against chelsea.

In my opinion he is the future, though for now he is too young and hasn't got enough experience.

Rob Green

This man is in the best form of all the 'keepers mentioned, in 9 games he's conceded only 9 (the least of all), and has kept 3 clean sheets. Based on form, he has saved the hammers on many occasions and even saved a penalty against reading. He has also came up against league leaders Arsenal he only conceded one where others ahve struggled.

Despite being on this hot streak of great saves and match winning performances and the interest of league leaders arsenal, England manage McClaren still sees it fit too choose the zero over the hero, perhaps in the soon future, the modest man will get his chance.

stats: Played conceded clean sheets

Robinson 9 18 1
James 10 12 4
Carson 8* 10 4
Green 9 9 3

*= 1 sending off

Thanks for reading

Peter Parka · Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:30 pm

A great, well written article! I think Green and Carson are the two guys we should be looking to as they are young and have a lot of time left in them. James has been on form but due to age is a very short sighted consideration and we should be giving the young guys experience so they can peak at just the right time.

Hammer_Mark · Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:12 pm

Peter Parka wrote: A great, well written article! I think Green and Carson are the two guys we should be looking to as they are young and have a lot of time left in them. James has been on form but due to age is a very short sighted consideration and we should be giving the young guys experience so they can peak at just the right time.

Spot on!