Time West Ham ace emerged from the shadows and siezed his moment!

Football FanCast columnist Lewis Doe believes that Robert Green has been an over looked figure for far too long. 

West Ham United goalkeeper, Robert Green, has been around the fringes of the England national team for far too long and it is about time he got an extended run in the side. With injuries to David James and Ben Foster there are few other options in terms of high quality keepers that could step in and immediately do a job. 

Green has been West Ham's number one ever since he moved to East London from Norwich City some years ago. His temperament and skill are as good as any other English keeper in the game and if Fabio Capello chooses to pick him for England's summer matches then it could be the chance for him to nail down a permanent position in the side. 

Speaking in The Independent, Green said: "I'm a bit too long in the tooth to get carried away. As soon as Jamo was out I knew people would be looking around for a name. One thing I've learnt about the new manager [Capello] is he does not take any notice of anyone else. He is his own man. But I will be turning up – assuming I am picked- and will prepare to play, as I do every time." 

Green has often been picked as a squad player but he has always been on the fringes of the side and in the shadow of other individuals who have been given a start instead of him. Well this time it should be his turn and he is now a lot more experienced than he was when he first played for England in a friendly.  

The fact he has not played a competitive match for his country shouldn't really matter and if he is chosen to start then it will not appear this way to anyone watching from the outside. His commitment and effort are faultless and just two of the traits that West Ham boss, Gianfranco Zola, has praised him for. 

Green is likely to get the grit between his teeth and really gets stuck in for the side. There is no substitute for some hard and honest determination and it could be a long time before anyone pulls on the number one jersey if he has a couple of decent performances. 

He is a lot more likely to be picked that Chris Kirkland from Wigan Athletic, but must make sure that if he is given a chance that he makes more difficult than ever for Foster or James to get back into the side.

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