After the friendly game against Holland recently I have been led to believe that there is a huge gaping hole in England's set up. No I am not talking about the whole in Sven's underwear caused by Phil Neville (how else would he be called up on to represent England at international level?). I am talking about the man between the sticks, the one who traditionally wears the gloves – take note frenchies. I am talking about the goalkeepers.
David Seaman is getting on a bit now and it is not worth taking him to the world cup, as a player anyway. He'd be an ideal person to have around the England training camp in Japan alongside Shearer to inspire confidence into the other players and teach them a skill or ten. I believe that David Seaman has played his last competitive game for England and this time next year he'll be permanently ousted at Highbury by Richard Wright and the ever impressing Stuart Taylor.
Richard Wright is incompetent at best, he has never really proved to me that he can perform at the highest level. When he was playing at Ipswich Town, the best part of his career was in the first Division and England prospects can not be judged until they play at the highest level. Keiron Dyer being the exception – Glenn Hoddle has a eye for raw talent.
Stuart Taylor is one of the most exciting prospects for both Arsenal and England, at this time he is only 19 and this is usually too young to take to the international scene. I know of Michael Owen but he has a natual talent which is quite obvious as he is an Evertonian at heart.
Nigel Martyn may be consistent for Leeds United and he may sometimes find himself hard pushed for a place in the Leeds starting X1 by a certain Paul Robinson but he has never quite cut the international mustard has he? However there is a lack of competition for the goalkeeping position for England and so Nigel Martyn is pretty much the top keeper around.
Paul Robinson will need to move clubs if he wishes to prove himself on the international scene as the only time he gets a game for Leeds is when Nigel Martyns injured or suspended. He obviously has a lot of potential and the quickest way for him to establish this potential is to gain some more first team experience.
David James has been outstanding all season, I do not care if he was a red shite or not, he is my mum's mate and to be honest he is a top bloke. He has adopted children and he treats them very well and he teaches them how to play football, one of his sons is even in the Liverpool youth academy. Since he moved from the Anfield club, he has not ceased to impress. John Gregory should be a very proud man, he gave David his confidence back and really pushed him to work hard. Glenn Roeder has shown him similar faith but not as much work has been needed as his confidence is sky high and deservedly so! I really hope David is taken to the World Cup.
Chris Kirkland is a Coventry favourite and the most expensive keeper in the English game. He cost our lovely neighbours 7million, and his appearances have been limited. Since Liverpool signed Kirkland, they have signed Polish international Jerzy Dudek, so the future looks dim for this otherwise exciting prospect.
Steve Simonsen is our very own ‘keeper and he edged Paul Gerrard out of the starting line up after it was decided that Mr. Gerrard was a liability and was costing Everton valuable points in the league.
The former Tranmere shot-stopper was a regular for the England Under-21's but is also eligible for Denmark. Simonsen's Everton career has taken three years to get going following his big money move to Goodison Park.
However he was finally given his chance against Chelsea three games ago and has been in stunning form keeping three clean sheets. When he was asked about playing for the England set-up he said: "Obviously, my first love is for England, but if I wasn't given a chance here then I'd certainly consider representing Denmark."
As an Evertonian I would love to see one of our own players in the line up. No, Barmby, McCann, Ball and Jeffers do not count! Steve has shown that he is more than able to prevent the goals going in against us toffees and he has proved to be worth every penny that Peter Johnson paid for him (£3.3million).
I only hope he can go ahead and keep at least another three consecutive clean sheets in the fight against relegation and the battle for the inter-toto cup. Im sure Sven would be very impressed by the ever improving Everton shot stopper, I know for a fact that Neville Southall (capped 92 times by Wales) is impressed by Simmo's recent form.