Wednesday 16 June 2010

The Big World Cup Debate – England’s Number One











We are barely six days into the World Cup, and already there have been several key talking points, from dodgy balls to even dodgier keepers. Arguing and debating the major issues is one of the best parts about football, so join us over the next couple of weeks, as two of the writers or contributors to the site go head-to-head over one of the main issues of the day. In our inaugural debate, myself and CollinsBeans co-founder Matt Snelling debate the topic of who should be in goal for England on Friday if Mr. Capello decides to give Robert Green the dreaded vote of no confidence...

“After his astonishing blunder in the first game against the USA, Fabio Capello should listen to calls to drop ‘the hand of clod’ Robert Green and replace him with David James”

Matt Snelling: Indeed he should. Being a man who’s played a game or two in goal in my life I appreciate the loneliness of the position and the pressure that comes from the fact that any little mistake can cost your side completely. So I feel both empathy and sympathy for Robert Green, but given the fact England now need to win both their remaining group matches, this is not a time to be making decisions based on sentimentality. I know it seems harsh, and this can happen to any player, and I’m not saying that a goalkeeper should be dropped every time he commits an error, however Green has no real back catalogue to fall back on.

For example, if Buffon or Casillas made the same error, which they could, it wouldn’t be the same as they have a history of being a world class custodian from which to call upon experiences of high pressure and high profile games. Green doesn’t have this, nor is he backed up by outstanding club form where he has been patchy at best over the last 12 months. Now is a time for Capello to make a big decision and think of the wider picture, with qualification for the knock out stages more important, I’m sorry to say, than picking Green’s confidence back up.

So dropping Green means making a choice between Joe Hart and David James, and when it comes down to it, for me, it has to be the Portsmouth man. James has the experience of playing 50+ times for England as well as countless club campaigns. He’s been there and done it, and more than ever now he looks a man at ease with where he is at this stage of his career as well as someone who is now able to handle the pressure of big match surroundings far better than in his younger days. Not only is his current attitude and personality seemingly perfect for the powder keg of England World Cup games but in my mind, and much as I think Hart has all the tools to be a top class ‘keeper, James is still the most technically proficient goalkeeper out there.

What many will be screaming at this point is that it’s ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’ selecting the man who has earned the nickname ‘calamity’ but if we are honest, and I know mud sticks, those mistakes have become fewer and fewer over the years and I still think that unlike Green (and it’s still to be proved whether Hart can or not) he has that ability to produce that wonder save at any moment that can be the difference between going home or advancing onwards.

James Platt: No…Capello should replace him with Joe Hart.

To address the first issue, I do believe Green should be dropped. I’ve got nothing against the man, and I admire how he’s handled the aftermath of his error last week. However, I don’t think he should have been starting in the first place and I certainly don’t think he should retain his place now. The World Cup is short – three games and you could be on the way home. We don’t have time to rebuild Green’s confidence, and cannot afford another huge error. Despite his positive comments, Green’s morale is bound to be low and we’ll only be encouraging the opposition to attack and shoot from distance by playing him again.

To reiterate, I don’t believe Green should have started against the USA in the first place. His form last season was questionable at best, and I think players doing well, with high confidence and belief should always be prioritised. Step forward Joe Hart, who has just completed his best season to date and is looking unbeatable. Hart has everything you want from a goalkeeper – height, agility, composure, concentration and a reassuring confidence is his own ability. I want my goalkeeper to have a bit of arrogance, to think he's unbeatable. Look at Julio Cesar, widely considered the world’s best goalkeeper at the moment. He oozes confidence and self-belief. As a defender, it must be great to have someone like that behind you, someone who truly believes he can’t be beaten.

The primary argument against Hart is his inexperience. The fundamentals of this point can’t be debated – Hart doesn’t really have any significant experience in an England jersey. Yet either does Robert Green (who was only winning his 11th cap against the USA) and even if you do argue that Green does have more familiarity with the England setup, look where that got us! Hart is on fantastic form. Hart is immensely talented. Hart has genuine confidence in his own ability. And crucially, Hart, in my eyes anyway, is the best English goalkeeper currently around. For that reason, he should start against Algeria. World Cups only come around every four years. Capello doesn’t have time to play safe or rebuild player confidence. He needs to win, and win quickly. He needs to pick the best players available.

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