On Wednesday night England needed a keeper on top of his game, commanding in the air, unflappable, with good judgement, who communicates well with his defenders and whose concentration never wavers. You picked Joe Hart ---- but you needed John Ruddy.
Roy last night Ruddy showed you when a keeper leaves his area to intercept a ball how it's done correctly That is all
Can anyone remember JR making an error this season? Yet Hart seems to make them without any criticism. They don't pick on form, its on reputation. In fact I'll go so far to say the media pick the England squad.
JR made an error yesterday! That would have been a superb goal for Bassong if JR hadn't tipped it over!
Joe Hart hasn't had the best of seasons, I've seen him concede soft goals and his not had many clean sheets. Perhaps Pilkington might be in with a chance, there are loads of right sided wide players in the England set up but hardly anyone left sided with the exception of fullbacks and Oxlade Chamberlain.
No he should have bicycle kicked it away! On the reputation thing, I find it hard to disagree. A few 'keepers England careers have been severely damaged by mistakes - Carson v Crotia and Green v USA - Hart made a big mistake for Ibrahimovic's goal but will probably carry on being first choice. It's one rule for the 'big' teams and another rule for the others.
Northampton, I think you will find that Pilkington is qualified for the Republic of Ireland rather than England. Certainly it was said that Trappatoni was at Carrow Road looking at him as well as Hoolahan.
As far as I know, he's eligible for either, but has said he'd play for ROI if he got the call. Whether he'd turn England down without hearing anything from Ireland tho would be interesting.
He hasn't played a game for their first team though, I think your allowed to change nationality if you haven't got a cap for the main squad? If I'm wrong then thats a massive shame as Trappatoni will probably pick some chugger instead.
Seriously Pilkington ripped Rafael apart yesterday, and his crosses were brilliant yesterday too. He may well crossed Roy's mind yesterday, especially when you think he's called Jenkinson, Zaha and Shawcross up recently so they can declare themselves for England. In theory Pilkington hasn't declared himself to any nation until he plays for them. Bradley Johnson done himself no harm as well, but he is eligible for USA as well as England.
interesting point that. i personally don't think pilks has been anywhere near the top of his game this season but he has created more goal scoring opportunities than any other player in the premier league this season. fact
His not been as prolific but he has one trait a lot of the current wide players in the England team setup lack and that's cunning. You never know what Pilkington is going to do next.
