Keeping up appearances

Much of the talk following England's dramatic 3-2 victory over Argentina on Saturday has centred around the side's over-reliance on Wayne Rooney as an attacking threat.

While the Manchester United striker remains at the hub of the England team in attack the presence of Paul Robinson between the sticks is equally important.

Since David James' painfully extended demise, Robinson has made the number one jersey his own and there is no English goalkeeper that comes remotely close to challenging him.

Robinson's performance against Argentina was impressive and commanding. Agile to the South Americans' pot shots and confident on crosses, he has silenced the critics who questioned whether he was ready to step up to the plate as first choice goalkeeper.

The former Leeds United man should have been handed the gloves when David Seaman retired after the last World Cup. But Eriksson stuck with the more experienced James, which proved to be an error given his inept performances at Euro 2004.

However, there is a dearth of talent waiting behind the 26-year-old. James clearly does not have the concentration span or the ability for the international game but he is the only experienced goalkeeper available.

Then there is Chris Kirkland, who cannot be relied upon to stay fit - much to the chagrin of his father who stands to pick up £10,000 from the bookmakers should his son play for the national side before the age of 30.

Robert Green has occupied the third place in the England squad for some time now but his form for Norwich City, who are surprisingly struggling near the foot of the Championship table, has been erratic to say the least.

The rest of the Premiership serves up more interest for coaches of other national sides than it does Eriksson. The only other first choice goalkeepers qualified for England are Everton veteran Nigel Martyn, Portsmouth's wayward Jamie Ashdown and Kelvin Davis - recently dropped by Sunderland. Tony Warner is currently a stand-in stopper for Fulham while Under-21 international Scott Carson does not even warm the bench at Liverpool.

Robinson's potential to be an exceptional goalkeeper was clear from the beginning when he was introduced into the Leeds side during the club's 2000/01 Champions League adventure when he replaced the injured Martyn.

While Robinson may have been culpable for the last two goals Spurs conceded, against Manchester United and Arsenal, since joining the north Londoners last summer he has been outstanding.

It begs the question why, at just £1.5million, none of the Premiership's leading clubs came in for him. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United had long been in search of a reliable goalkeeper. That Liverpool would, just a matter of months later, spend close to £1million on Carson, a veteran of two starts for Leeds, is remarkable.

Ferguson may have finally solved his goalkeeping problems, though only on a short-term basis, with the signing of Edwin van der Sar - but the purchase of the future England number one would surely have been more astute. Arsenal and Liverpool, meanwhile, remain in search of a quality goalkeeper. Both Jose Reina and Jens Lehmann look fragile in comparison.

The lack of foresight has worked to Spurs' advantage as they now have a number one who, barring a dramatic collapse in form, they can rely on for years to come. The same can also be said for England and as the World Cup approaches his aptitude on the international scene will be invaluable.

England have been accused of lacking a world class goalkeeper, but Robinson has the quality to suggest otherwise. It would be healthier if he had proper competition for the jersey, though it's not as though Eriksson has a mere average goalkeeper as his number one.

The fact that James was recalled for the game with Argentina, after his international career appeared dead following his woeful performance against Denmark in August, sums up the options available.

Should Robinson pick up an injury which rules him out of the World Cup then England will have real problems. Does anyone seriously think James can be relied upon across the length of a tournament? Could Kirkland stay fit? Does Green have the top level experience? Would the defence have confidence in the replacement?

Robinson remains as vital to England's hopes of success as Wayne Rooney. While Rooney can provide the attacking impetus, Robinson will be rock on which the forward play can be built.

It's one of a few positions with which England struggle for options, though that does not include the holding midfield role despite Eriksson's current fascination with playing a defender in the role.

With three of the midfield positions cemented, it has always been a question of going with a specialist player in the centre or opting for the flair of Joe Cole on the left. But Ledley King showed on Saturday that, against the best, square pegs in round holes isn't advisable.

Michael Carrick, teammate of King and Robinson at Tottenham Hotspur, must wonder what he has to do to earn another chance after impressing during the summer mini-tour of the United States.

He was unfortunate that injury ruled him out of the last round of World Cup qualifiers, as he would surely have got the nod ahead of King for the Poland game with David Beckham suspended.

In addition to Carrick there is Scott Parker, though Eriksson already appears to have written off the Newcastle United player while Alan Smith is not, despite the best attempts of Sir Alex Ferguson, a midfielder.

Luke Young has proved an able deputy to Gary Neville while a fit Wayne Bridge, together with the versatility of Jamie Carragher, shows options in defence.

England do lack experienced and able cover up front, with Jermain Defoe short on caps and Peter Crouch doing his best to show that his goalscoring form at Southampton was no more than a purple patch. After that Sven will be left to rely on the untried talents of Charlton's Darren Bent.

That means England's front two picks itself - another reason why Rooney, along with Michael Owen, is so important to the team.

With the finals fast approaching, and England having just one friendly remaining, on March 1 against as yet to be confirmed opponents, Eriksson has little time to find answers to the lack of strength in depth at both ends of the pitch.

While Sven does have a number of players of Premiership pedigree on the striking front the same cannot be said between the sticks.

Any thoughts? Then you can e-mail Dale Johnson.

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