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West Ham keeper Robert Green ready to step up and become England's No.1
Start against Egypt has given Irons man confidence boost...
4 Mar 2010 17:59:00
By Alex Dimond
West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green knows he has to keep his form up if he is to achieve his ambition of becoming England's first-choice between the sticks for the World Cup.
The shot-stopper was given the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's friendly against Egypt, England's last game before Fabio Capello announces his provisional World Cup squad, perhaps indicating he is the Italian's preferred option between the sticks.
The 30-year-old made headlines for the wrong reasons on his last international start, after he was sent off in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in October in England's only qualification defeat.
"I want to play every game. I enjoyed playing on Wednesday," Green said, according to the Press Association.
"People remind me it was my first game since the sending-off - thanks for that! - but it is always about looking forward.
"That happened, that is part of life, it was part of something to learn from.
"You take it on board and you move on. You improve from it and, from then, I think I have done.
"I think I have improved as a goalkeeper since then and want to carry on doing so."
Green believes his selection does indicate he is firmly in Capello's World Cup plans, although strong competition from Joe Hart and David James will keep him on his toes.
He said: "It is pleasing to play and if I wasn't going to be part of it, then I wouldn't be playing.
"But it really is about looking forward, looking to improve and looking to work on things that I want to work on.
"I'll learn things from this game and I am desperately keen to do well for West Ham and for my country.
"I want to play in every game and that involves improving and involves taking confidence from games like this and moving on and looking forward."
And the former Norwich keeper believes the number of players fighting for a place in Capello's squad will only enhance England's chances.
"Everyone wants to prove something. Peter Crouch came on and made a wonderful case for himself and his goalscoring ratio is fantastic for his country," he added.
"It's a wonderful problem for the manager to have. I hope the players who are injured are going to come back and provide even more problems.
"You want to go to the World Cup but you've got 23 players who are fighting fit and wanting to do really well.
"You will have 12 disappointed lads come the first game of the World Cup but that's for the manager to decide and he is as good a judge of a player as anyone."
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The shot-stopper was given the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's friendly against Egypt, England's last game before Fabio Capello announces his provisional World Cup squad, perhaps indicating he is the Italian's preferred option between the sticks.
The 30-year-old made headlines for the wrong reasons on his last international start, after he was sent off in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in October in England's only qualification defeat.
"I want to play every game. I enjoyed playing on Wednesday," Green said, according to the Press Association.
"People remind me it was my first game since the sending-off - thanks for that! - but it is always about looking forward.
"That happened, that is part of life, it was part of something to learn from.
"You take it on board and you move on. You improve from it and, from then, I think I have done.
"I think I have improved as a goalkeeper since then and want to carry on doing so."
Green believes his selection does indicate he is firmly in Capello's World Cup plans, although strong competition from Joe Hart and David James will keep him on his toes.
He said: "It is pleasing to play and if I wasn't going to be part of it, then I wouldn't be playing.
"But it really is about looking forward, looking to improve and looking to work on things that I want to work on.
"I'll learn things from this game and I am desperately keen to do well for West Ham and for my country.
"I want to play in every game and that involves improving and involves taking confidence from games like this and moving on and looking forward."
And the former Norwich keeper believes the number of players fighting for a place in Capello's squad will only enhance England's chances.
"Everyone wants to prove something. Peter Crouch came on and made a wonderful case for himself and his goalscoring ratio is fantastic for his country," he added.
"It's a wonderful problem for the manager to have. I hope the players who are injured are going to come back and provide even more problems.
"You want to go to the World Cup but you've got 23 players who are fighting fit and wanting to do really well.
"You will have 12 disappointed lads come the first game of the World Cup but that's for the manager to decide and he is as good a judge of a player as anyone."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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