Manuel Almunia

[rhroyal]

This will be controversial.

Is this man eligible to play for England? I think he will be in time for the WC anyhow, and he has stated that he will ahappily wear our GK jersey.

Now I'm not suggesting that Almunia is a world class keeper. He is nowhere near his compatriots Casillas, Reina or even Valdes. That's why he has never had a look in. However think how dire our GK situation currently is.

David James will almost be 40, and I never trust him to deliver at crucial moments. I could see him many the glaring error that costs us on the big stage.

Ben Foster hasn't inspired anybody with confidence so far this season.

Robert Green - Not bad. Reliable I guess.

Joe Hart - Not experienced and can't be thrown into the big stage yet.

Robinson and Carson - Both have made errors on the big stage before. Can they be trusted again?

Almunia is solid and reliable for Arsenal. He's never drawn too much attention to himself. Most other GKs in that list have - for all the wrong reasons. I know he wasn't born and bred English, but he is a citizen of our country according to our government. Football is becoming more global. We have a 2nd foreign manager. Deco has done well for Portugal after not getting into Brazil's side. Half of France's side could play for their former colonies and visa versa.

I don't think Almunia's Spanish origin should be held against him when our country is crying out for a half decent goalkeeper.

Finally, the fact that people are even considering this says everything about the sorry state of England's goalkeeping situation.

[FORSTERS_RIGHT_FOOT]

Here we go again....

[Row Z Royal]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90896&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=almunia

[Royal Rother]

Robinson's looked back to his best this season from what I've seen. (Blackburn's last 3 league games have been 0-0.)

[Matt de K]

Although it's a bit early for me to be picking out examples but I'm sure that there are at least 20 individual aLOL's for David James, Ben Foster, Robert Green, Joe Hart, Robinson and Carson