Vital keepers at the wrong end of the table

We all hear about players who represent the best sides in world football, but what about those struggling at the other end of the table?  Sometimes, when a team is struggling in front of goal they need to rely on their goalkeepers to ensure they come away with a point or defend a vital lead.  With that in mind, I’ve had a look through a few of the goalkeepers involved the Premier League relegation battle, to decide who could be vital for their respective clubs.
Marcus Hahnemann, Wolves

The Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper has represented the USA six times and has done it all before with Reading.  Things didn’t look great for Hahnemann at the end of last season as he was released by the Royals but he made the switch to Wolves and hasn’t looked back.  He is capable of producing the odd moment of brilliance and is great at organising his defence, a great asset for Wolves in their fight against the drop.  The Wolves keeper has kept five clean sheets in 15 games this season since replacing Wayne Hennessey as number one, a great statistic considering the defence in front of him.

David James, Portsmouth

James is fighting for a place in England’s World Cup squad but Pompey are really struggling and look almost certain to be relegated.  That aside, the veteran is an excellent shot stopper and a very accomplished goalkeeper, I doubt he’ll have trouble finding a club when he leaves Pompey at the end of the season – another almost certainty considering their financial plight.  Despite Pompey’s struggles James has managed to keep three clean sheets in 17 games – not a bad record at all, all things considered.

Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton

The Bolton keeper has surely been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League for a number of seasons and regularly ensures Bolton get a result.  He may not be the best at organising the defence but as a shot stopper there really are few better.  Jaaskelainen also has a decent record at saving penalties, having denied Spurs from the spot earlier this month.  The Wanderers can’t seem to score at the moment, so the Finnish keeper is vital at the moment.  His clean sheet record is not great in truth with just four all season, although Bolton’s defending at times has been woeful and I can’t think of many occasions where Jaaskelainen was at fault.

Brian Jensen, Burnley

Affectionately known as ‘The Beast’ by the Clarets faithful, Jensen was a member of the side who won promotion from the Championship last season.  Jensen played a huge part in Burnley’s improbable win over reigning champions Manchester United earlier in the season. He saved a penalty from Michael Carrick as well as pulling off some truly outstanding stops and was named man of the match.  He is prone to the odd mistake, but with the Clarets faltering in attack he will have to be at his best to aid their relegation battle.  Jensen started the season well with two clean sheets inside the first three games but he has kept just one complete shut out since then, although Burnley’s form has declined and Jensen is perhaps not to blame for a fairly poor record.

Boaz Myhill, Hull City

American-born Welsh international Myhill is somewhat of a goalkeeping enigma.  He is occasionally capable of producing match-winning performances, defying the odds to keep a clean sheet and help Hull secure an unlikely victory.  However, he is also prone to some ridiculous errors that prove costly.  He has kept four clean sheets for Hull and one for Wales during the current campaign and can be a major player when on form for his club side.

Written by Carl Hector, a sports writer who blogs about goalkeepers, Irish racing, the Premier League and Cheltenham betting tips 2010.