Tuesday 6 November 2012 15:36, UK
England Under 21 goalkeeping coach Martin Thomas has hailed the current generation of young goalkeepers.
Thomas also believes there is further strength outside the current squad. "It's not only those four, there's also other lads like Alex Smithies of Huddersfield and Wes Foderingham who's at Swindon," explained Thomas. "It is a good crop of goalkeepers in terms of both quality and quantity. "Prior to this, the best group for goalkeepers who have all gone on to play to a good level is in the 1981 birth group, which was Chris Kirkland, Stephen Bywater, Matt Murray and Paul Rachubka. "All four were involved with the U16s and went on to have long careers. All the goalkeepers that are currently involved with the Under 21s have been involved in international football since they were 15 years old. "We were only having a discussion when we were in Serbia about the Victory Shield and the lads were saying how much they enjoyed playing in it. "There's obviously competition between them, but there is also the support as they have all come through the system together. "This group now have all played a lot of games at club level and international level."
