England number 1 at the WC?

[TBM]

Who would you have as Englands number 1 at this years world cup?

[No Fixed Abode]

David James.

[yappy]

On current form, I'd probably want Joe Hart but the only way that can work is if he plays in all the games up until the World Cup aswell. Otherwise its between Green & James for me, right now I'd probably opt for Green.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

DJ by a million miles.

Not even up for debate. I do like Hart, but he's not ready to play in the WC. Should be in the team for the European Qualifiers though.

[winchester_royal]

Hart all the way. James has been shit this season.

[soggy biscuit]

James with Hart as back up

[Silver Fox]

David James is still the best English keeper by a distance, plus he's getting a lot of practice playing for the shower he is

[TheMaraudingDog]

plus he's getting a lot of practice playing for the shower he is

That’s not necessarily a good thing. Saving shot after shot when your team has no expectations is easy. The tough job is having nothing to do for 80 minutes in a high pressure game and having the concentration to pull off a save when it matters.

[Arch]

Carson was MOTM lat night. I read it about fifty times on the Baggies forum.

[6ft Kerplunk]

plus he's getting a lot of practice playing for the shower he is

That’s not necessarily a good thing. Saving shot after shot when your team has no expectations is easy. The tough job is having nothing to do for 80 minutes in a high pressure game and having the concentration to pull off a save when it matters.

You do remember what England are like after the group stages of a World Cup don't you?

[Silver Fox]

^that

Especially considering recent suggestions that the oft-crocked Rio should be backed up by the registered disabled Ledley King

[bobbybottler]

plus he's getting a lot of practice playing for the shower he is

That’s not necessarily a good thing. Saving shot after shot when your team has no expectations is easy. The tough job is having nothing to do for 80 minutes in a high pressure game and having the concentration to pull off a save when it matters.

You do remember what England are like after the group stages of a World Cup don't you?

I know what you're getting at, but I disagree. I don't ever remember England getting thrashed after the group stages of a World Cup, nor can I recall any matches were shots were raining in on the England goal from all angles.

My informed recollections of England matches at the business end of tournaments....well...a typcial match would involve long periods of ennui interspersed with conceding the odd goal and scoring slightly fewer, whilst our opponents merrily LOL at our lack of technique, strength in depth, tactics, etc. etc.

On reading Aggro's post my immediate thought was of 2002, with Spunky daydreaming while Ronaldinho's mis-hit cross floated serenely over his head.

[Arch]

Agreed. TMD's requirement for a keeper is just what we need in the latter stages, going by past experience.

[1871 Royal]

James with Hart as back up

^this

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Robinson.

Never seen a problem with him.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Can't we just nominate a rush keeper when the other team start attacking?

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

^that

Especially considering recent suggestions that the oft-crocked Rio should be backed up by the registered disabled Ledley King

The thought of Upson, Lescott or Jagielka playing is the biggest worry.

Rio is fcuked, we have to pray Ledley some how gets through it. Maybe play one of the above durring the early stages, saving Ledley for the final 3 games?

Really worried about Ferdinand tbh, even Fergie doesn't seem to have a clue what is actually wrong with him....

[Silver Fox]

You do realise the final 3 games are over a single week, give or take, don't you?

Or did you mean England's final three games ie last group stage game, last 16 and QF?

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

You could get Ledley through the 3 games.

Cappello needs to get the Milan Docs on the case.

What else you gonna do?

[Hoop Blah]

I think it's going to be James, and I don't think there's much sensible alternative.

We screwed up Carson by playing him in a pressure situation with no build up or experience. I can't see Capello doing the same thing with Hart. 6 months ago I'd have said that Foster was the one to watch and I thought he'd be forcing his way into the reckoning at Utd more than he is. He hasn't played enough to continue his progress in exaclty the way Hart now is at Birmingham.

Robinson has got his form back. He really lost it for a year or so at Spurs though so there definately was a crisis of confidence or something. He and Hart would be the back up to James for me. Green I just don't trust enough and Foster hasn't played enough, although I'd be tempted to take him for the experience alone as I still think he has a big future.

Although we don't have an outstanding keeper like we always used to, we do have a collection of almost very good ones coming though. Hopefully one of those will kick on and become the next Banks, Clemence, Shilton or Seaman.