Ray's answers

Monday, 10 April 2006.

Webchat with Ray Clemence
3pm BST, Monday 10 April 2006

England Goalkeeping Coach Ray Clemence was online at TheFA.com on Monday afternoon answering your questions.

Scroll down the page to read his answers to your questions, which came in in their droves.

If you missed the chance to send a question to Ray then don't worry as we will be holding many more webchats in the run up to, and during, the World Cup.

With just two months until the big kick-off, stay with TheFA.com as we build-up to the World Cup.

Ray Clemence webchat

Billy London	People say that you have to be a little mad to be a goalkeeper, do you think that is the case?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	I suppose most 'keepers do have an eccentric side and you must have an element of madness because you are asked to dive at people's feet without thinking about the risk of injury to different parts of your body. But, on the other side good and great goalkeepers are very good decision-makers and very good organisers. You can't be mad if you have those two attributes, Thanks for all your questions, everyone. See you soon, and I look forward to your continued support in the World Cup. Ray.
Martin Wiltshire	You have been nominated to be part of The FA Cup 'Team of Heroes', how does it feel when fans recognise your achievements, and what does The FA Cup mean to you?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	The FA Cup has always been special to me. From a player's perspective it always has been. I was lucky enough to play in 5 Finals plus one replay. I will always remember the first one v Arsenal in 1971 in that I dont remember anything about it! The occasion was so big it came and it went with very little recollection of what had gone on. My second one, against Newcastle in 74, I will always remember because I was so determined to win (which we did in style) and also to remember it. I keep my medals in a very safe place. They are very special to me.
Simon Milton Keynes	I think it's quite obvious that Paul Robinson & David James will be going to Germany as No1 + 2. But which keepers are in with a shout of taking the 3rd goal keeping jersey?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	At international level, possession is nine tenths or the law so Robert Green is in a strong position but Scott Carson, our Under-21 'keeper and who gained Senior Squad experience with us in the States last summer, now at Sheff Weds on loan, is also doing very well so we'll certainly be keeping an eye on how he does...
Montacer Lyon	If you were facing them these days, how would you try to deal with Owen and Rooney?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	They are two different strikers. Michael tends to play higher up and therefore scores most of his goals by breaking beyond the defensive line or by being a supreme poacher in and around the area. Wayne can play deeper and is capable of scoring from outside the box with the power of his strikers, If I was facing them, I would study their game and finishing styles as all goalkeepers do today. An example from my time was Gerd Muller, who I played against and studied. He was an ordinary player outside the box but, inside it, he was one of the best strikers I came up against. Whenever he had a chance in the box, he'd make the keeper work. You had to save it or it would be in the net.
Anthony London	Did you see get to see Spurs play City on Saturday? What did you make of the two England Goalkeepers coming up against eachother?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	I went to the game yes. It was an excellent match. Without being biased I think Spurs deserved to win. As far as the 'keepers were concerned, Robbo did not have a lot to do but did make one very good save diving to his right to save from Riera. Whereas Jamo was considerably busier and made three or four exceptional saves which kept Man City in the game. It was great to see the two of them playing so well as we come close to announcing the World Cup Squad.
Sarah Disability Sport Events	So Ray, who is the better goalkeeper out of you and Shilts... and more importantly, who is the better golfer?!! Sarah Marl Disability Sport Events
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Hello Sarah! Trust you to come up with a question like this! It's always been one for other people to answer...obviously Peter and I both believed in our own abilities to be the best...decisions were made at international level on personal preference. We knew we both had to perform at the best of our ability to give us the best opportunity to play for England. We still see eachother, mostly in charity golf events - as you know! - and also - as you know - I'm not sure about Peter's handicap!!
John York	Do England look in good enough shape to win the World Cup? Should fans be worried about star players being unfit so close to the finals?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Hi John, we have the best squad we have had for many years but of course we do need that squad to be fully fit when we go to Germany. If everyone is fully fit and the best players in the squad are in top form, and we have the one thing we've not had in the last two tournaments, a little bit of luck, then we have an excellent chance of going a long way. We also need you behind us to give us that same trouble-free, positive, passionate support we've had in the last two tournaments...it really does help.
Alex Yeovil	Could you name some of the most promising English goalkeepers to look out for outside of the Premier League?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Robert Green will be hoping that Norwich can get back in the Premier League but his end of season form has been back to his best....Scott Carson is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. He just needs first team games to push on. Ben Foster, on loan from Manchester United, is doing well at Watford...Joe Hart at Shrewsbury is having a very good season and people are taking notice of him within the game..
John York	Judging by Oliver Kahn's performance four years ago, an average side is capable of going a long way in a World Cup providing they have a great goalkeeper. Do you go along with that?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	I think any side, whether it be in the Premiership or Serie A or an international side, has to have a good goalkeeper to have a chance. I cant remember any side winning any trophy without having a good goalkeeper. You can score goals but if you have a 'keeper who gives goals away, it undermines things. I think in most cases 'keepers get the recognition they deserve. We are realistic enough to know that any mistakes we make are going to be highlighted but I think recently 'keepers have got the credit they deserve.
Russ Woking	What is the best save you have ever made?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	I have a different outlook on great saves. I think you can see great saves made at any level. My question is - do they influence the game? For me, two would stand out. One against Borussia Moenchengladbach in the UEFA Cup Final First Leg at Anfield when the score was 3-0 to Liverpool. The Germans got a penalty in the last 15-20 minutes of the game which was taken by Jupp Heynckes the German international. I managed to save it. At the time it didnt seem that important but weeks later over there we lost 2-0. If I hadnt made that save, we would have lost the Cup Final on away goals...so I was happy with that. Then in the 1977 European Cup Final in Rome against the same team, we'd lost the FA Cup Final on the Saturday so we were probably a little fragile mentally. We went 1-0 up and then Simonsen equalised...not long after that Uli Stielike broke through on his own and I managed to block the shot...5 minutes later Tommy Smith scored and we won our first European Cup.
Paul Swindon	Who was the best player you ever played with Ray? How good exactly was Glenn Hoddle?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Hi Paul, the best was Kenny Dalglish. He was the complete striker. He could score, create goals and was not afraid to do the dirty side of a striker's role, being the first line of defence. I still get to see him on the golf course now and again and, as you would expect, he is very good at that too! Glenn, when I came to Spurs, was part of a midfield including Villa and Ardiles. His best year was in 86-87 when he had the freedom to play behind Clive Allen. He had a massive influence and helped Clive to get 49 goals in that season.
Carla Leicester	What do you make of Rachel Brown and her performance against France last month?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	I was very impressed in everything that she did - communication, concentration, organisation and she made three or four vital saves to keep them in a strong position in the group.
Neil London	Hi Ray, Do you think England's goal area is safer in Paul Robinson's hands more than David Seaman's ice-skating partner is in his?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Ha Ha, No comment. We're yet to see Robbo on ice..
Simon milton keynes	Who do rate as the best goal keeper in the world today?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus is probably one of the best. Edwin Van der Sar, Petr Cech, Ilker Casillas are top quality too as is our own Paul Robinson. The World Cup will be the stage for the best 'keepers to show how good they by being tested by the best players.
Adam Sheffield	How much has goalkeeping changed since you retired?
Ray Clemence TheFA.com	Hi Adam, goalkeeping these days needs you to be more of an all-round player with the new rules especially. The ball is more at your feet than in your hands during the 90 minutes. Technology has changed things too, the ball moves faster, quicker and later these days. I think my career would have been pretty similar if I had played today though..I was always quite comfortable with my feet and used to play outside of goal in all our 5-asides!

Web Chat Ended

RAY'S ANSWERS

10 April 2006