Thetownend.com

Probably been covered before, but I had a good blokes evening last night, drinking beer, eating curry and debating things about football.  An agreement was not reached over who should be England's first choice keeper.  A few months back I was a firm member of the "if Foster gets his chance" brigade, but his ManUre performances have moved me away from there.  Rob Green has done nothing wrong but I'm not sure he's really been tested in a high profile international situation.  David James?  Brilliant for ages, then major, major clanger.  If this happened in the World Cup Quarter final it would feel like 2002 all over again (yes, Mr Seaman, I'm looking at you).  Carson isn't even playing premier league football so he's out.  The only other options I can really see are Paul Robinson and Chris Kirkland.  Kirkland's name doesn't even seemto feature in the debate much anymore.
Robinson's confidence at international level was torn to pieces by his mistakes, but he does seem to have turned his fortunes around.

At a push, I went for reinstating Robinson, with Green 2nd and James 3rd.  One mate went Green-Foster-Robinson, and the other went James-Green-Foster.

Sorry for the essay, but any thoughts TEF?

I'll do it for a fiver and if I get to keep the gloves

If Ben Foster is the future of English goalkeeping, I would be seriously worried. When I've seen him, he doesn't strike me as being good enough for Manchester United, never mind England. Think Kirkland retired from international football to prolong his career, due to injuries. Otherwise, he'd be my choice.

I'd agree though, that maybe its time Capello looked to give Robinson another chance.

Foster was excellent when on loan at Watford a few tears ago, and had a big say in the season they got promoted. Ever since then he has not hit those heights. Maybe he is a Championship keeper, and no better. Even Andy Lonegan is the regular keeper for Preston, despite not being very good on loan here in 2005.

If only Shay Given had a long lost english Aunty / Uncle / Mother / Father / Brother he would be my choice as England No.1  :D

Lack of relatives doesn't matter as he'd have qualified to play for England in his early 20's as he's played his entire career here - 3 or 4 years (not sure which) and you qualify. The bigger problem is him playing for Ireland.

I think Foster's biggest problem is being #2 at Man Utd so he is still in the shadow of Can Der Sar, he makes one mistake and everyone sees it and talks about it. At the moment it has to be James, when he is on form he is the best we've got and he doesn't make quite as many major mistakes as he used to.

Manuel Almunia.

Almunia is an interesting one, I know other countries do this and its not something I am dead against, but is he actually better than the keepers already mentioned?

Why do they have to play in the premiershit.
Because you play someone is playing for a premiershit club doesn't automatically mean you are good enough or the best. Granted that is usually the case, but not always.

Idon't think playing in the championship is enough of a challenge to prove your case as an international keeper - you are only proving yourself against a lower class of opponent.  Carson this year will not face any world class players so the doubt is always there.

He will in training but it's hardly his fault he's on the same side as Coxy in competitive games is it? :)

robert green, no contest.

James, been good enough for England most of this campaign.

 An outside bet might be Joe Hart....I've no confidence in any of the others. Hart is unproven but might just be the answer.

Dropped a bit of a bollock for Brum at the weekend, but had looked very promising at Man City last year.

Persevere with Green.