Players like John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard of Chelsea, Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole of Liverpool  and even Wayne Rooney of Manchester United are sure to get stick for the first few weeks of the new season from all corners of the stand home or away, but one man who can expect more than anyone else is Robert Green.

Green is currently number one keeper at West Ham having previously had a successful spell with Norwich City during their Premier League foray.  After years of hard work and dedication Green was given his chance for England in their first 2010 World Cup game against the U.S.A, the rest as they say is history. Something overtook Green on that fateful night in Rustenburg, be it bad luck or nerves we may never know, but his mistake shone a spotlight on  something England did not want to hear  - the last line of defence was no good.  England and the Premier League had failed to produce a goalkeeper able for the big occasion, and they resorted to plan B, 39 year old David James. All as 23 year old Joe Hart warmed the bench, judged to be too inexperienced by Fabio Capello for the biggest stage of them all.

It doesn’t take long to see why England is struggling to produce world class goalies, none of the top eight last season had an Englishman in goal with five of the other 12 sides relying on native net minders in the shape of Joe Hart, Robert Green, Paul Robinson, David James and Chris Kirkland. Surely these figures will worry those at the top of the F.A.  Another worry is the difficulty for young keepers to break into Premier League sides with the constant recycling of Premier League goalies. Of last years number one keepers, 14 had played for another Premier League side before moving on to another top flight club.

One small silver lining is that many of the foreign keepers are an ageing bunch. It won’t be long before Van der Sar, Friedel, Schwarzer and Jaaskelinen need replacing by their respective clubs and most England fans will surely hope that Englishmen are chosen to fill the berth left behind. However, for that to happen, young English keepers at all levels of the Football League need to produce their finest form to be given the chance in the top level. Will English football allow the memories of great keepers like Banks, Shilton and co be replaced by memories of mistake prone keepers like Green and Robinson.

Only time will tell how England will solve a problem like the keepers!

Having been released only nine days previously during Roberto Mancini’s end of season cull, third-choice goalkeeper Stuart Taylor has signed a new contract to remain attached to the Blues for a further two years. With England’s Joe Hart primed to take on one of the Premier League and indeed world’s best in Shay Given for the starting berth at Eastlands; you must ask yourself why a goalkeeper who has a Premier League winner’s medal in his locker is seemingly content to sit around and watch others battle for the limelight.

Whilst an opportunity knocked for the ex-Arsenal and Aston Villa man to seek first-team football elsewhere, albeit at a lower level and with a smaller club, he has again seen fit to sign on the dotted line and take out his tweezers in preparation for another season battling splinters. Having started out as an apprentice to David Seaman at Highbury, the 29 year old’s career seems to have bounced from one bench to another as he seems destined to always play the bridesmaid, and never the bride. It seems harsh to question a man‘s motives and especially one whom I have never met; but is it simply explainable that the man once described by Arsené Wenger as “a big talent” is happy enough to take a wage for turning up for training each day?

Soccerbase’s detailed statistics list Romford-born Taylor as having made just 86 first team appearances in a career which has now spanned over a decade. Indeed, his solidarity appearance last season came in a weakened Manchester City side which defeated Scunthorpe United at the glamorous Glanford Park in the third round of the FA Cup, deputising for a rested Given. He missed out on further appearances towards the end of the season as a knee injury put paid to his chances of helping City secure a Champions League place, Mancini instead utilising Gunnar Nielsen and loanee Martin Fulop. Whilst I can appreciate managers want a squad with depth and players of a certain standard available to play in the event of the worst injury crisis, could even the most patient footballer with any sort of professional pride sign a contract that he knows will consign him as no more than an able deputy? Whilst goalkeepers are perhaps able to wait that little bit longer for an opportunity to arise (Steve Harper at Newcastle being the prime example in recent years), is there not a stage when that desire for a slice of competitive action becomes too much?

In recent years, the search for first team action has seen other English goalkeepers Scott Carson, Ben Foster and fellow City ‘stopper Joe Hart take a year or two out from their parent clubs to go away and gain valuable experience at the top level, which has in turn awarded them all with international recognition. I especially doff my cap to Foster, who in making a permanent move to Birmingham City, has recognised that he sees himself as better than an annual Carling Cup winners medal and playing third-fiddle to Van der Sar and Kuszczak in the battle for Sir Alex’s affections. Taylor’s mentality however, seems to have differed from his goalkeeping peers. Bar fleeting emergency deals at Peterborough, Leicester and Cardiff; he has instead chosen to stay within a comfort zone that has seen his reputation regress from one of the more promising young custodians at the top level to that of an unambitious, wasted and forgotten talent.

With a financially-backed Manchester City expected to continue their rapid growth into a European footballing superpower in the coming years, will there ever be an occasion when City fans are willing to accept an unfashionable Taylor as a suitable replacement when the rest of the team are seen as galaticos in comparison? I tend to think not, especially when his appearance will more than likely have come as a result of the absence of the preferred pair of gloves at the club. I know that stereotypically goalkeepers have been of a select breed and not famed for their intelligence, but there must be an occasion when his spectating role finally expires and his mentality changes.

The next time Taylor sits down (and being bench-ridden he should be used to it) and watches the latest Championship or Scottish Premier League round up, he’ll see goalkeepers of an inferior ability playing week-in week-out in front of tens of thousands of supporters, plying their trade at the highest level they possibly can. Should he decide he is tired of arguably the “easiest job in football” and fancies another crack at a first-team berth, I’m sure that there would be a queue of clubs ready to provide him with an opportunity. Until such a time, the next time you’ll see the perennial substitute in action may possibly be in a reserve team match near you. Be sure to ask him where on earth he has been.

Before this season, Bobby Zamora had spent nearly six years on the fringes of Premier League squads such as West Ham and Tottenham, not scoring goals and not playing many games. After a goal tally of just five last year, Zamora hit the twenty mark including a few valuable strikes in Europe with Fulham. He’s played in big European games, he’s got a final coming up, maybe Capello will feel this man is more up to the job then others for his striking options?

The goalkeeping position is England’s achilles heel. It can never seem to seal itself; Robert Green, Paul Robinson, Scott Carson, David James, Ben Foster. But after a successful summer with England’s youngsters last year, and a highly impressive campaign defending the fort with Birmingham, Joe Hart has emerged as a possible caretaker for the number one jersey. After spending the season on loan from Manchester City, Hart will be on the plane to South Africa.

Many would have laughed at the idea of bringing Aston Villa’s “average” midfielder James Milner last August. Now, he’s a dead cert to be awarded a plane ticket and will be given more then a few minutes at the competition. A versatile, reliable player with an eye for a goal – Capello will delighted such a player evolved into a great one over the 2009/10 campaign just in time for this competition.

An angry tweet, another big money move, and a season later – Darren Bent will be awaiting the opportunity to represent his nation at the World Cup. Bent spent most of last season sitting on the bench at White Hart Lane, not loved by anyone and being made feel like his career had hit a wall. But after a fine season which saw him net a mighty impressive twenty-four goals with Sunderland, Bent could be jetting off to South Africa if Capello feels he has done enough.

He’s always been regarded as one of the most talented English centre-backs around, and there are a few of them. Had it not been for a niggling knee injury, Ledley King could be an England regular already, maybe even captain. After a superb season alongside Michael Dawson, both shall be flying off to South Africa and awaiting the opportunity to shut out some of the world’s best strikers.

Who would have guessed last August?

Another week, another gamble. The subject of this week’s shot in the dark is the returning Aaron Lennon with Tottenham having two massive games that will define their season.

The pacy winger has been out for a long time with a persistent groin injury but is expected to be involved in the weekend’s game against Bolton, though he is by no means guaranteed a start.

Lennon comes into a five man midfield alongside fellow double gameweekers Matthew Etherington and Adam Johnson, as well as Tim Cahill and Florent Malouda.

Darren Bent drops to the bench, though chances are he will bag a goal against Manchester United as some sort of two fingered gesture in my direction.

Carlos Tevez takes over the armband with City at home twice, though games against Aston Villa and Spurs are obviously not easy.

I expect City to score however, and both James Collins and Carlos Cuellar drop to the bench as a result.

Birmingham host an already relegated Burnley at St. Andrews so both Joe Hart and Roger Johnson are included in the hope of them securing a clean sheet.

Patrice Evra and Leighton Baines make up the back three.

Last week’s score of 65 points was in large part due to the contributions of Chelsea duo Malouda and Didier Drogba, though the lack of Frank Lampard again proved costly.

Bent and Evra both contributed nine points, while skipper Tim Cahill managed to bag an assist to somewhat justify the decision to give him the role.

The team currently sits in 53,627th place out of a total of teams 2,313,514.

Team for Gameweek 37 -

After Ryan Giggs was honoured as the player of the 2008/09 campaign, despite just two goals and twenty-eight appearances, many questioned are the awards there to honour the best players, or are they just to wipe the boots of the aging legends and top four stars (eight Manchester Utd player, including Giggs, named in the Team of the Year). Realistically, the Giggs of this season has generally performed better then that of last, even going through a rich spell of six assists and a goal in the space of four games.

The awards have become a public relations centre, where the biggest names from the biggest clubs gets to don the tuxedo and accept the award in front of their peers, before posing for the cameras.

But on to this season, where the usual six-man shortlist has been cut to four. Nominated are: Wayne Rooney, who’s name is presumably scribed on the award already, Arsenal dalisman Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea powerhouse Didier Drogba and Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez.

God forbid one of the less likely names were included in the shortlist, which at four would be extremely difficult to achieve. No Roger Johnson, who has established himself as one of the most commanding centre halves in the league as part of one of the best defences. No Michael Dawson, who despite having Jonathon Woodgate and Ledley King to contend with for places has been another defensive revelation. Even Pepe Reina, who has stood out as one of the best goalkeepers in the league if not in the world over the last twelve months. I won’t even mention the likes of Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe, who have been scoring Premier League goals regularly.

However the award’s junior, the PFA Young Player of the Year, is even more shambolic. At 24, Wayne Rooney in no doubt dead on favourite to take the award on the night. Yes, 24! The youngest player on the shortlist is Joe Hart, at 22, showing some bit of originality from the voters to pick the Birmingham stopper.

How about cutting the age down to 21? According to the PFA you can be in your mid-twenties, and have more hair on your chest then Ryan Giggs and still be regarded as a youngster. An age limit at even 22 would allow the formidable Alex Song to be within a shout, or maybe Jordan Henderson of Sunderland. Or perhaps the voters could look outside the box and notice some of the superb young players who have come to fruition late on in the campaign, like Gareth Bale and Adam Johnson.

There is very little we can do to change it, but the least the organisers of the event could do is to raise the amount of names shortlisted, and lower the age restrictions into the Young Player’s nomination, and bring some integrity back into winning the gong. These awards are the end to a magical campaign, given only to the best, so at least look beyond the big names and big teams and realise there are other players in the league, just as good in their own way.

Who would you have nominated?

Chelsea’s exit from the Champions’ League was a massive boost for Fantasy Football managers everywhere. The Blues no longer have one eye on European competition as they enter this double gameweek with, on paper, two relatively straight forward fixtures.

Even though they are away to both Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be determined not to perform poorly in another competition meaning the likes of Drogba shouldn’t be rested.

In total there are nine of the team playing twice, with only Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas not involved in a second game. Fabregas is an injury worry so Patrice Evra is the first substitute.

This week’s transfer was a bit of gamble. Out went Manchester United‘s Darren Fletcher and in came Manchester City‘s Adam Johnson.

Johnson was in superb form when he came on for the last twenty minutes of the game against Sunderland last week, bagging a stunning late equaliser and three bonus points to go with it.

He isn’t a guaranteed starter by any means but could be a dark horse for some good points in the games against Fulham and Everton when he is on the pitch.

The team is once again relying on Birmingham clean sheets with Joe Hart, Roger Johnson and Lee Bowyer all in team, while Carlos Cuellar and James Collins from neighbours Aston Villa also keep their spots after scoring well last week.

The importance of this gameweek can’t be emphasised enough as there is a big opportunity to catch teams, but on the flipside, if you get it wrong you may find that the season is pretty much over.

We finished on a respectable 70 points last week, though a lot of teams did push the 100 mark. Rooney was again the star, picking up 26 points as skipper, while Drogba chipped in with ten.

The team currently sits in 41,589th place out of a total of 2,289,514 teams.

Team for Gameweek 31 -

It feels weird not having to scrape a team together, and if anything it has been difficult to pick a team because there are too many players that could do a job.

Aston Villa’s double gameweek makes their players an obvious choice for inclusion, and we have replaced Wolves’ Jody Craddock with James Collins.

He joins fellow team mate Carlos Cuellar in the team, and while having two defenders from the same team is quite a risk, if they keep two clean sheets it will have been well worth it.

The only injury doubt at the moment is Cesc Fabregas and as a result the captaincy has been handed over to Manchester United‘s in form striker Wayne Rooney.

He is one of three United players in the side alongside Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra, and they could all score highly at home to Fulham.

The return of both Didier Drogba and Carlos Tevez after a week off is a massive boost and, along with Rooney, they make up an extremely potent forward line.

Joe Hart takes over from Thomas Sorensen in goal due to Birmingham City’s good home record and is joined by Roger Johnson in the side, though Lee Bowyer drops to the bench alongside Stoke’s Matthew Etherington and Portsmouth’s Jamie O’Hara.

Last week’s points haul of 38 points wasn’t too bad considering only eight players actually played.

Fabregas started so well as captain, scoring in the first half for Arsenal, but limped off shortly after.

Defenders Leighton Baines and Patrice Evra chipped in nicely, while Jamie O’Hara picked up an assist and two bonus points for Pompey.

The team currently sits in 39,667th position out of a total of 2,283,731 teams.

Team for Gameweek 30 -

Birmingham City are the new Manchester United….in Fantasy Football terms anyway.

With the Champions in Carling Cup action this week, I have turned to Birmingham City and their solid home record for points this week. Out go Rooney, Evra and Fletcher. In come Hart, Johnson and Bowyer.

A home clash against Wigan really could go either way but if Brum do keep a clean sheet then it will give us a great platform on which to build for the rest of the gameweek. That’s the plan anyway.

Carlos Tevez is set to return to action for Manchester City against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, though Blues duo Didier Drogba and Branislav Ivanovic are more likely to contribute points in their clash.

Indeed, Drogba is given the captain’s armband such is his superb form at the moment.

Matthew Etherington remains an injury doubt so with Carlos Cuellar also involved in Sunday’s final at Wembley, we face the real prospect of going into this gameweek with just nine players.

Wolves’ Jody Craddock continues in defence by default while Jamie O’Hara will hopefully do something special for administration-hit Portsmouth.

Last week’s total of 73 points might look good but it was well below the big hitters.

Drogba contributed two goals to the cause, while Rooney justified his selection as captain with a superb performance against West Ham after struggling at Everton.

Arsenal‘s Cesc Fabregas also found the net and picked up his customary three bonues points.

The team currently sits in 39,485th place out of a total of 2,273,960 teams.

Team for Gameweek 28 -

After a quite horrific gameweek that culminated in just 36 points, desperate measures have been taken to get things back on track. Into the side comes Nani. Yes, Nani.

The much maligned winger has been in good form as of late, as seen at The Emirates last week, and with a home game against Portsmouth the hope is that he will continue in the same fashion. That is of course until the team sheet is announced and Fergie has decided he needs a rest.

One man who will surely play for United is Wayne Rooney. Possibly the best player in the league right now on form, Rooney has taken the captain’s armband back from Carlos Tevez who failed to deliver last weekend.

In fact nobody really performed last week apart from Rooney. Chelsea’s Michael Ballack and Branislav Ivanovic contributed a massive seven points between them from a double gameweek. Pathetic.

Carlos Tevez hit a post for Manchester City, while no other player scored more than three points. Interestingly, Ryan Shawcross, who was sold last week, kept a clean sheet for Stoke, as did Thomas Sorensen who was sitting comfortably on the bench for us.

However, Joe Hart keeps his place between the sticks with Birmingham at home to Wolves.

Arsenal‘s Abou Diaby is still out while Armand Traore looks to be finished in the first team and he will be transferred out next week hopefully.

The Gunners go to Stamford Bridge this weekend and it really is difficult to see anything other than a Chelsea win, though hopefully Cesc Fabregas can at least put in a good performance.

James Milner had another below average points return and an eye will be kept on him over the next few weeks.

Sunderland really need to start performing again and have a great opportunity to grab three points at home to a Wigan side that was dumped out of the FA Cup by Notts County during the week.

The team currently sits in 20,629th place out of a total of 2,255,259 teams.

Team for Gameweek 25 -

At the time of writing there are only four Premiership games still going ahead after the Wigan v Aston Villa clash was called off this morning.

This leaves Ruining Football with a grand total of six players available for the gameweek, including new signing Carlos Tevez who has come in for Didier Drogba who is at the African Cup of Nations.

The Argentine has just picked up the league’s Player of the Month award and has been in sparkling form as of late.

Joe Hart’s Birmingham City take on Patrice Evra’s Manchester United at St. Andrews and a 0-0 draw would do very nicely.

Arsenal host Everton at home and hopefully Abou Diaby and Armand Traore can contribute a bit more than they did in the double gameweek, but Cesc Fabregas is still sidelined through injury.

Jody Craddock completes the half dozen players who could still be in action as his Wolves side travel to Upton Park to face West Ham.

The poor conditions badly affected the last gameweek when Arsenal and Bolton had their second game postponed, though we still managed to finish up on 60 points.

The decision to give the captaincy to Thomas Sorensen backfired spectacularly as he scored a grand total of four points, missing Stoke’s second game of the week in the process.

All three strikers contributed heavily though with Bent (2), Drogba and Torres all finding the back of the net in their respective fixtures.

Clint Dempsey again shone in midfield, picking up a goal, an assist, and three binus points from his two games.

The team currently sits in 22,456th place out of a total of 2,225,331 teams.

Team for Gameweek 21 -