Alan Shearer predicted Fabio Capello is certain to drop Robert Green
Former England striker Alan Shearer thinks Fabio Capello is certain to drop Robert Green following the England goalkeeper's howler that gifted the United States an equaliser in their opening game of the World Cup. England were 1-0 up and looking in command when Green failed to get his body behind Clint Dempsey's weak 25-yard effort and saw the ball escape from his grasp and hand the USA a share of the points in the 1-1 draw in Rustenburg.
As newspapers in Britain began the torturous damnation of the keeper, former England captain Shearer said neither the new type of ball that is in use at the tournament, nor the fact Fabio Capello only informed his players of the team line-up some two hours before kick-off, could explain or excuse Green's mistake.
Shearer, who believes that the more experienced David James will be selected to play in goal in Friday's match against Algeria, told the BBC: "When you are at your first World Cup, like Green is, and you don't have many caps -- he had nine before Saturday -- then it can be a very nervy situation. Could not knowing whether he was playing until two hours before kick-off have affected him? Well, it would have made a difference to his preparations but there was still no excuse for that kind of mistake," the former Newcastle striker said.
"It will haunt him for the rest of his life but he cannot do anything about it now and he has to try to move on. However I still think Fabio Capello will leave him out for England's next game against Algeria on Friday. And for me, that would be the right decision.
"You can imagine what our opponents would be thinking if he does play, and Green's own confidence is likely to be rock bottom too. Who should play instead? I'd assume Capello will go for David James, if fit, because he has the experience."
Robert Green has been spotted seeking some refuge on the golf course, as the arguments continued over whether he should be left out of the side by Fabio Capello over the astonishing mistake that cost England victory in their World Cup opener against USA.
The 30-year-old keeper was apparently relaxing with team-mates that included Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch as the players spent some of their day off at the Lost City Golf Course in Sun City.
The West Ham goalkeeper is praying he will be given the opportunity to make amends by being handed the gloves for England's second Group C game, against Algeria in Cape Town on Friday.
Although it seems Green has the full support of his team-mates, Capello has refused to rule out a recall for veteran David James or hand a World Cup debut to Manchester City youngster Joe Hart. Previous experience would suggest that the Italian may already have made his mind up, but it appears that Green will be be made to spend the rest of the week agonising over whether he will get the chance to redeem himself in Cape Town.
He said: "I'm 30. I'm a man. I'm strong enough to take it and move on and be ready for another game if selected," he said. The approach is not to let it affect you for however many more you play. That's why you prepare mentally. It's something where you've got to hold your head high, hang in there and make sure it doesn't happen again. I want to play in every game I can. I've made mistakes in the past. If I get flack, so be it. I take responsibility for my problems and move on."
Capello showed his displeasure at Green's error, by turning his back on the pitch with a furious expression. But the goalkeeper confirmed that the coach, who commended Green for producing an excellent second half save from Jozy Altidore, had not criticized his performance at the interval.
"He was fine. At half-time, he said 'it is not a problem, move on' - and you do that."
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