Henry Winter: goalkeeping problem a long-term issue

Posted Monday, June 14, 2010 by theguardian.com

England have a major problem in goal, not simply with Robert Green, whose error destroyed the good start against the United States, but also with David James, who seems to have issues with management.

All in the mind: Fabio Capello has said he will work on Robert Green's 'psychological' problem

The obvious solution would be to employ the most in-form, confident keeper in Joe Hart against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday, but Fabio Capello still needs persuading and prefers to spend this week addressing the "psychological'' problem of Green.

England's hugely experienced manager does not make many mistakes but his handling of the goalkeeping situation borders on the naive. Having questioned the standard of English keeping within days of starting work in January 2008, Capello does not appear convinced by the abilities of any of his keepers and has exacerbated the problem by not committing to one.

The goalkeepers have not enjoyed being informed of who is starting only two hours before kick-off. Green looked nervous in the tunnel, let alone when faced with Clint Dempsey's routine strike.

When asked whether Green would face Algeria, Capello said: "No, yes. We have to wait. We think about this problem psychologically."

Capello needs to work on Green's mind, restoring his belief, if the West Ham man is to be in a fit state to face Algeria. It did not help Green that there was little support for him on the pitch in Rustenburg. Barring John Terry, none of the players rushed to console the distraught Green and it was a surprise that even the captain, Steven Gerrard, did not have a few comforting words.

As the players walked off at half-time, the goalkeeping coach, Franco Tancredi, went on to meet Green and accompany him to the dressing room. Hart and James waited by the tunnel to offer support, particularly Hart.

Hart enjoyed a great season for Birmingham City, playing on loan from Manchester City, and his uncomplicated nature means he does not dwell on any mistakes.

If Capello considers Hart too inexperienced, the coach's failure to use James is even more perplexing.

When England's players came off after the pre-match warm-up, Capello's right-hand man, Franco Baldini, waited to give them a good luck handshake.

The keepers were last off and James' half-hearted handshake with Baldini was very noticeable. Capello needs to sort out any tensions in the goalkeeping department quickly. James, a senior international, deserves respect.

However much Capello is responsible for the present goalkeeping mess, the Italian cannot be held accountable for the long-term malaise. One of the reasons Capello is so supportive of the National Football Centre is that it will address the obvious deficiencies such as the shortage of keepers.

Where once England rotated between Peter Shilton and Ray Clemence, now they lack a high-class keeper. David Seaman, whose 75th and final cap came in 2002, was England's last accomplished keeper.

The decline is partly because of tightening of budgets; managers husband resources to spend on expensive goalscorers and playmakers, leaving less cash for keepers. Hence they look overseas where an experienced keeper is far cheaper than his English counterpart. Capello has inherited a costly problem and the price was paid in Rustenburg.