GIVE ROBERT GREEN A GO
Hammers keeper has earned right to replace ageing David James
THE absence of the injured David James in Kazakhstan next Saturday should be seen as blessing rather than a blow for Fabio Capello.
England's World Cup qualifier in Almaty followed by the Wembley exercise against Andorra four days later gives the national boss an ideal window to assess just who should replace James.
Capello must make the most of this opportunity because a successor to James HAS to be found before next summer's World Cup.
If the Italian takes his squad to South Africa with James just a few weeks shy of his 40th birthday but still No 1, then the chances of success will have a serious chink.
Agreed, 'Calamity James' jibes about the Portsmouth keeper are as old as the bad Borat banter will be in Kazakhstan this week. It is to James' enormous credit he has reclaimed the No 1 spot after so many setbacks.
His many supporters will argue that an outstanding physique means he can last at least one more season at the very top and emulate Italy's legendary Dino Zoff, who won the World Cup at the age of 40.
I disagree, not least because England have been down this misguided path twice in the last 20 years and paid the price.
It was hard to fault a 40-year-old Peter Shilton in Italia 90 until the semi-final against West Germany when, suddenly, the years just seemed to catch up on him.
Shilts just couldn't react, re-adjust and back-pedal when an Andreas Brehme free-kick took a massive deflection off Paul Parker and looped over his head.
And when it came to the penalty shootout, although Shilton guessed right each time, his body no longer had the elasticity to stop a single spot-kick.
In 2002, the signs David Seaman had gone on a year too long were ignored but then painfully exposed by Ronaldinho. Just like Shilton, the eyes and the spring in the knees were no longer what they had been for Seaman.
Even if ageing is a creeping process, there has to be a tipping point and you don't want it to come at a World Cup.
So no matter how good James' physique looks, no matter how much he can bench press, other faculties will betray him even if the years of experience have helped iron out some of those eccentric errors that used to hold him back.
The argument to stick with James is that there is no one else. Accepted, over the past couple of years Paul Robinson and Scott Carson have done their level best to hand the gloves back to the Pompey stopper.
Should Ben Foster oust Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United then he may well be the solution but West Ham's Robert Green has earned the right to stake his claim.
Over the past three years he has, in his understated way, proved a consistent and sound performer playing behind an erratic defence.
On top of that, Green is also an expert penalty stopper which, given previous experiences for England at the big tournaments, gives him an edge and the green jersey vote.
This article has 2 comments
Robert green will never be Englands No 1.Joe Hart is a much better prospect.I am not surprised Green has been given this chance due to all his moaning and groaning,he thinks he is Gods gift to soccer.
By John Syred. Posted June 1 2009 at 2:34 AM.
Very good article!
James is a quality keeper who has done well to prove himself as England's No.1 after his 'Clamity James' era which is a thing of the past. But a key point in this article about his age and reacttions, comparing with Shilton and Seamon with respected free-kicks in 1990&2002. James would make a fantasic No.2 giving his expierence and reliable if called upon.
But i agree with Robert Green having his chance. He has been consistant for the Hammers, steady, good shot-stopper, talks and commands his area, also a fantastic penalty saver.
Green could walk straight into the Arsenal team, if Man Utd didn't have Foster as a futre replacement for Van Der Sar, he would be Fergie's next choice and finally if Petr Cech has an inconsistant season next year, I rekon he could be a serious target for Chelsea after the 2010 World Cup.
By Michael. Posted May 31 2009 at 11:25 AM.