Jeepers keepers - Sportsmail's guide to the Premier League's No 1 stopper

09 October 2009 08:40
England's World Cup finals place is already in the bag, but Fabio Capello still has one major selection headache - who to choose as his No 1 for the tournament in South Africa.[LNB]Will he stick with West Ham's Rob Green, who has done little wrong in the past five England games, or will he defer to the goalkeeper with the most experience in David James?  [LNB] No 1 problem: United keeper Ben Foster sits on the turf after conceding against Sunderland at Old Trafford[LNB]  The problem that Capello has is that neither keeper is in sparklingform, Green made some bad mistakes against Fulham and James has keptgoal in a Portsmouth defence that has shipped 12 goals already thisseason. [LNB]Also, the two front-runners are not currently under any pressure from other stoppers; Ben Foster's form has dipped alarmingly, Paul Robinson makes the squad but never plays and Chris Kirkland has become something of a forgotten man. [LNB]So with all eyes on the boys between the sticks, Sportsmail takes a look at how the other Premier League keepers are faring so far this season... And wishes that Shay Given was English.[LNB]ARSENALManuel Almunia[LNB]Remember this fella? For some time he had aspirationsof becoming England's No 1 but after Capello (correctly) pointed outthat he was Spanish and a period of injury-enforced absence from the Arsenal side, Almunia appears to have been edged out of the frame.[LNB]Games this season: Six[LNB]Goals conceded: Nine[LNB]Verdict: He's not the one and Mannone at Arsenal.[LNB]ASTON VILLABrad Friedel[LNB]It's a case of so far, so good for the Americanstopper. Villa's solid start to the season isn't merely down to theforward line, Martin O'Neill's side has benefitted from investment in a new central defensive pairing, adding steel alongside Friedel's great shot-stoppingability. [LNB]Games: Seven[LNB]Goal: Six[LNB]Verdict: You'll struggle to Yank him out. [LNB]BIRMINGHAMJoe Hart[LNB]Not happy with playing second fiddle to Shay Given at Man City,Hart jumped at the opportunity of a loan move to St Andrew's. His efforts this season have earned him a call-up - albeit only as cover  - for the qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.[LNB]Games: Eight[LNB]Goals: Eight[LNB]Verdict: Blue noses love brave Hart. England's future No 1.[LNB] [LNB] Enlarge Shay Given[LNB]Enlarge Brian Jensen[LNB]Enlarge Petr Cech[LNB] [LNB]BLACKBURNPaul Robinson[LNB]His air-shot against Croatia was the precursor to hisdeparture from Tottenham and the England set-up but has rediscovered his form at Rovers and was hugely disappointed to have to drop out of the squad after suffering a hip injury.[LNB]Games: Seven[LNB]Goals: 15[LNB]Verdict: Ships far too many goals - it's not good for his mental health - or his back![LNB]BOLTONJussi Jaaskelainen[LNB]The Finland stopper is having another fine seasonfor the Trotters, making fine saves in recent matches againstBirmingham and Spurs. One of the most consistent keepers in the league over the past five years - a true Bolton living legend.[LNB]Games: Nine[LNB]Goals: 12[LNB]Verdict: He's certainly not Finnished at the Reebok.[LNB] BURNLEYBrian Jensen[LNB]Has shipped quite a few goals already this term but theClarets fans wont care as he has continued his remarkablepenalty-stopping record with heroics against Manchester United. A man mountain and huge terrace hero.[LNB]Games: Nine[LNB]Goals: 19[LNB]Verdict: The Beast is best for Burnley, but, at 34, his age puts off suitors.[LNB] [LNB]CHELSEAPetr Cech[LNB]Chelsea have been typically frugal at the back again thisyear and Cech has just the one blot against his name - the mis-judgedlunge at Hugo Rodallega that earned him a red card at Wigan was quite unnecessary.[LNB]Games: Six[LNB]Goals: Nine[LNB]Verdict: Petr the great but not the greatest in the division.[LNB]EVERTONTim Howard [LNB]Howard has kept five clean sheets in the games that cameafter Everton's horror-start to the season, showing great resilienceafter the Toffees were demolished 6-1 at home by Arsenal on the opening day.[LNB]Games: 12[LNB]Goals: 13[LNB]Verdict: He's a real sweet Toffee.[LNB]FULHAMMark Schwarzer [LNB]Roy Hodgson described Schwarzer as the 'buy of theseason' last term and further fine domestic and European performances this time round has meant that the Cottagers' stopper has - deservedly - received plenty of praise.[LNB]Games: 11[LNB]Goals: 11[LNB]Verdict: Fulham need a decent goalkeeper and mark's the man.[LNB]  [LNB] Yellow peril: Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka (left) scores past Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina at Stamford Bridge[LNB]HULL CITYBoaz Myhill[LNB]Myhill has moved through the leagues with City but hasn'tseemed out of his depth in his second top-flight season. A favouritewith the fans and remains Phil Brown's first choice keeper. [LNB]Games: Eight[LNB]Goals: 20[LNB]Verdict: Faces a  thankless task behind this Hull defence.[LNB]LIVERPOOLJose Reina [LNB]Pepe hasn't been pleased with Liverpool's form this season and the Reds have conceded several times afterdefensive mistakes left him exposed. He's Spain's Ray Clemence - he'd have played move if it weren't for Iker Cassilas (Spains' Peter Shilton).[LNB]Games: 10[LNB]Goals: 14[LNB]Verdict: Kopping undeserved stick.[LNB]MAN CITYShay Given [LNB]Despite all the money spent in the summer, Given has been,arguably, Mark Hughes' best signing to date. A string of great stops have made the Republic of Ireland 'keeper a hit since his move from Newcastle last January.[LNB]Games: Nine[LNB]Goals: Nine[LNB]Verdict: This Irishman doesn't need luck - he's our top of the stoppers! [LNB] MAN UNITEDBen Foster [LNB]It hasn't gone very well for Foster since his return toOld Trafford from a loan-spell at Watford. Tipped as the next EnglandNo 1 but injury woes and high-profile mistakes have left the keeper low on confidence and out of the England squad.[LNB]Games: Nine[LNB]Goals: Eight[LNB]Verdict: England's No 4. [LNB]PORTSMOUTHDavid James [LNB]After failing to secure a move away from Fratton Park,James has had to endure a difficult season on the south coast with justone victory coming from the opening fixtures. Still, his form has remained solid.[LNB]Games: Seven[LNB]Goals: 12[LNB]Verdict: The 39-year-old grandfather of goalkeeping will go to the World Cup - as cover.[LNB]STOKE CITYThomas Sorensen [LNB]Most of the Stoke side save their best form for homegames but Sorensen has produced some sparkling performances away from home as well for the Potters.[LNB]Games: Eight[LNB]Goals: 10[LNB]Verdict: The boy's Dane very good. [LNB] [LNB] Grass not always Greener: West Ham stopperRobert Green is beaten by a penalty kick from Fulham's Danny Murphy at Upton Park[LNB] [LNB]SUNDERLANDCraig Gordon[LNB]The Scotland stopper has shaken off the nigglinginjuries that plagued him last season and is finding good form with theBlack Cats. A tall - if a little wiry - and imposing goalkeeper, Gordon appears to be Steve Bruce's custodian of choice.[LNB]Games: Seven[LNB]Goals: 10[LNB]Verdict: Keeping the Cats on an even kilt-er[LNB]TOTTENHAMHeurelho Gomes [LNB]Now a firm favourite at the Lane after the shockingstart he made to his Spurs career, the Brazilian has worked hard toadapt to the game in England and has shown flashes of shot-stopping brilliance.[LNB]Games: Three[LNB]Goals: Three[LNB]Verdict: Showing Spur-ts of good form.[LNB]WEST HAMRob Green[LNB]Widely considered to be the man who would see the ThreeLions through next summer's World Cup, Green has been in good touch for England. But further errors, like the ones against Fulham, will certainly see him lose favour with Capello.[LNB]Games: Nine [LNB]Goals: 15[LNB]Verdict: England's No 1 needs to Iron out some creases.[LNB] WIGANChris Kirkland [LNB]The almost man of the national side, but you have tofeel that if it wasn't for all the injuries he has suffered he wouldhave been handed more opportunities. A very fine stopper on his day.[LNB]Games: Seven [LNB]Goals: 13[LNB]Verdict: Sicknote who is loved by the Latics. England's No 5.[LNB]WOLVESWayne Hennessey [LNB]Wolves have an uphill struggle if they wish to retaintheir Premier League status but the Welsh 'keeper Hennessey has shown flashes of greatness that could go a long way to retaining top-flight football at Molineux.[LNB]Games: Eight[LNB]Goals: 14[LNB]Verdict: McCarthy's Welsh wonder boy.[LNB]  Century man Shay Given shows no signs of slowing as Republic of Ireland bid to satisfy adoring fansDavid James: I can still match my hero Zoff and pull on the gloves for England He was hailed as the future, but now it seems United's Foster has blown it Paul Robinson refuses to dream after returning to Capello's England foldWAYNE ROONEY UNLEASHED: Martin Samuel's extraordinary interview with the man carrying England's World Cup hopes  

Source: Daily_Mail