Who will play in goal for England v USA

Written by Dave Allan Saturday, 12 June 2010 09:43

England World Cup Blog

With Fabio Capello not set to name his team until two hours before kick off the biggest mystery surrounds who will play in goal for England against the United States. The contenders are David James, Robert Green and Joe Hart.

A quick look at the Betfair market sees Robert Green the current favourite at 1.5 (or 1/2 in old money). Both David James and Joe Hart still look to be in with a good shout at 4.0 (3/1).

This looks to be a strange and unusual strategy from Capello. I can't remember another occasion where three goalkeepers alll had a chance of making the starting X1 for a team in a major tournament with neither the public nor media really having  a real clue as to who it may be.

It is also a pretty dangerous policy by Capello. Goalkeepers tend to be confidence-driven creatures.  Whoever is going to be England's Number 1 needs to know by now and needs to be told he will be first choice throughout the tournament.

Not only is it important for a goalkeeper to know who will be in goal but also for defenders. A goalkeeper is at the heart of an organised defence and defenders need to know when to leave balls for the keeper at corners as well minor things like which side to play a tricky back pass for his shot stopper to clear effectively - and probably more technical stuff, I don't understand.

Goalkeepers need to know where they stand. Not only  for corners and free-kicks but also regarding their place in the team.

Visit Betfair to check out the latest England Goalkeeper Odds

| More...

Comments (5)