Lack Of English Goalkeepers

 

Surely, there is atleast two keepers born in England who are good enough to play for us. Green at West Ham is a keeper well rated, by all Premier league commentators, but capello overlooks him for calamity. Carson and Taylor at Villa are both good keepers, but wont get the gig. Robbo is another one who cant even claim a place in the Spurs 1st team.

 

This would really be a worrying trend if Manny makes one start. I know there was a rumour that Carlo was considering doing this a few years ago when we seemed to have the same problem.

 

The other real problem is that the good English keepers are kept down in the Coke League, and managers seem reluctant to want them. But this to me is a farce, as history dictates that we used to have some of the finest in the world, and now were getting to the point where no one wants to be a custodian of the net.

 

For us at Arsenal were seeing the end of Lehman, No more David Seaman's or Bob Wilson's or John Lukic's and the coming of a young Italian Manone, and a pole in Fabiniski, so I ask the question where is the next English goalkeeper going to come from, and the question isnt who the next England keeper will be?

 

Your thoughts are welcomed

 

Bo Myhill of the mighty Tigers was touted as an England prospect a while back (like Bruce Springsteen he was born in the USA, but has an English parent)

 

But Myhill hasn't really developed as hoped - still good but not good enough - mid twenties though so he might kick on

 

 

Admittedly, during the Shilton/Clemence era, there were a number of 'keepers - Phil Parkes, Joe Corrigan, Jimmy Rimmer, who could consider themselves unlucky to have only won a single cap (or in the case of Corrigan, five I think). But were they international class? I'm not so sure...

 

And as for Paul Cooper whom you have mentioned, I think the one thing that held Ipswich back from winning more trophies (esp a league title) under Bobby Robson was the lack of a world class keeper. Shilton's presence won Forest the league trophy in 77-78. Clough himself said so more than once. Cooper was often the only player left at Ipswich when international call-ups took place. Good penalty stopper, but too short and uncommanding to be an international.

 

Since Shilton, England have been served by average 'keepers. Woods, Seaman, James, Robinson, all average. That is probably attributable recently to the presence of Schmeichel, Cech et al but does that mean that the supply of English keepers has dried up? I think it's more a case of it was never really as great as it has been made out to be.

 

And for the future? My pick is also Joe Hart. In fact, I think he may even make the England squad this year.

 

why would a premier league manager choose to sign a championship keeper instead of an international quality european keeper because "history dictates that we used to have some of the finest in the world"?????

 

David James.

 

As much as I hate to say it cause hes a former Redsh*te, The guy is absolulty outstanding and is by far the best English born keeper around.

 

Best of a bad bunch but not international class.  But then neither are a lot of players who pull on an England shirt these days.

 

Yeh i rekon in a few years Joe Hart would be good enough, hes already dang good for his age

 

Whatever happened to Green at West Ham? Lee Camp at QPR - although he's a bit like Shilton - on the short side.

 

Keepers are a funny bunch, as according to everyone a keeper dosnt mature until he is in his late 20s, and so international recogniction dosnt come around until he has played atleast 100 topflight games over 3 or more seasons.

 

Carson, (in my humble view) shouldnt be allowed anywhere near the England squad again, after his display against the Croats. His number 2 at Villa Stuart Taylor is a far better prospect. But he could be blighted by having had a good run at Arsenal, and then opening his mouth, and demanding 1st team football, and from what we have seen of Arsene, anyone who goes to the press making demands seems to be quickly moved on. I agree that Foster looks like he could be the real deal. But he is still 3rd behind Edwin and Thomas, although having watched Utd loss against Pompey, I would give Rio a go! (lol). There used to a kid at Barnsley called David Watson, but he seems to have gone off the radar, but certianly not as far as the other great hope that was Richard Wright, but again he cant get near the 1st team at the Hammers with the man who should be number 1 playing so well this season.

 

Maybe countries like Finalnd, Poland and Sweden and yes the USA have the answers. But I dont see putting Manny in as any kind of answer.

 

Keepers certainly take away the old saying that if your good enough, age dosnt matter, as again, if Sven had a more expereinced custodian to call on, I dont think that Casper or Joe would get close. In fact, im sure they have a swede called Issacsonn there, but not being a City fan, I wouldnt know if he is on the treatment table, or just going through a lack of form.

 

Wright became frustrated with his lack of chances at Arsenal, and after a shocker in a 4-2 defeat to Charlton at Highbury, where he was made to play the following day as a punishment by Wenger in the Carling Cup against Man Utd, where we won. He was dropped again for Stuart Taylor. This was the seaon where 3 Arsenal keepers qualified for winners medals as Taylor who played an absoulte stormer against Juve in the Champions league, came on for the 2nd half of the lastgame of the season.

 

At the end of this campaign, Wright thought he would seek out pastures newer at Everton, and found the same problem in an ageing keeper in Nigel Martyn keeping him out of the 1st team. So why did he join West Ham? But it seems funny that he was the more sucessful of him and Green when they played in Suffolk/Norfolf derby, and now theres no agreument who is No1 at the Hammers, I wonder what the West Ham fans on here think of Wright.

 

english players should go overseas too though. i almost disagree that foreign players stunt development, surely with all the top players in the EPL  playing against or training with them must be good for the young english guys. getting exposed to the different playing styles and having to compete against good foreigners would only be a good thing i would've thought.

 

If you ever have any time, check out Inter Milans squad list. Stuff all Italians in it so its not just an English problem.

 

Getting back to Richard Wright. He's just signed a 1 month loan contract at Southampton as they have a keeper crisis. He's still only 30.

 

that seems a hell of a come down for the lad (not taking the piss about Soton)

 

did his head go, or what??