I'm ready to take the flak - Green

12 June 2010 22:36
England goalkeeper Robert Green believes he has the mental strength to respond from his howler in Rustenburg on Saturday night.[LNB] Green gifted the United States an equaliser in the 1-1 Group C opener.[LNB]Steven Gerrard had given England a flying start with a fourth-minute opener before Green committed the kind of howler David Seaman, Paul Robinson and Scott Carson have all done down the years and allowed Clint Dempsey's harmless shot to slip through his fingers.[LNB]But the 30-year-old West Ham goalkeeper insists he has put the error behind him already.[LNB]"It's done, it happened," he told BBC Radio Five Live.[LNB]"It's not something you can allow to affect yourself.[LNB]"In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine.[LNB]"It's about being steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that's life as a goalkeeper.[LNB]"I've been in this situation before and it's about holding your head up high, facing you guys (the media), taking the flak which is going to come.[LNB]"That's life."[LNB]Green had no excuses for failing to stop Dempsey's tame 40th-minute effort from 25 yards.[LNB]He added: "Dempsey hit one and it's one I should have saved. Full stop.[LNB]"It's very disappointing, but it's happened.[LNB]"The most important thing is not to let it affect myself.[LNB]"I had 50-odd minutes to play in the game and represent my country and I did that I didn't let if affect me mentally.[LNB]"I didn't let it affect my performance. It's about mental strength and worse things have happened to people."[LNB]Green found out he would be starting the World Cup opener after winning selection ahead of David James and Joe Hart when Fabio Capello announced the team to the squad two hours before kick-off.[LNB]"I found out before we left for the game when they announced the team, with everyone else," said Green.[LNB]"It wasn't a factor. I prepared the same as if I was going to play.[LNB]"I prepared the same as if I was at West Ham, as I have done all my career.[LNB]"You go through mental preparation the night before the game and prepare for moments of trauma in a game when it happens.[LNB]"It happened today and for me the important thing was to bounce back from it."[LNB]Green recognised he will be the subject of the nation's angst after the 1-1 draw - but still wants to play against Algeria next week.[LNB]"I'm sure there's 50-odd million people disappointed with me this evening," he added.[LNB]"But I'll come back tomorrow, work hard in training, work hard the next day, prepare the same, prepare as if I'm playing in the next game and it won't affect me.[LNB]"I want to carry on playing and I want to stand up and represent my country."[LNB]United States goalkeeper Tim Howard backed Green to respond.[LNB]The Everton goalkeeper told BBC Radio Five Live: "He has broad shoulders, he will bounce back.[LNB]"Robert Green is a fantastic goalkeeper. Absolutely."

Source: Team_Talk