James and Wright - goalkeeping rivals

DAVID JAMES v RICHARD WRIGHT

By Reece Killworth

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INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE

Both men had solid bases on which to build having made 25 appearances between them for the Under-21s.

Wright was called into the full squad for the first time in 1998 just two weeks after his 21st birthday but has picked up just two caps in the four years since.

He moved from Arsenal to Ipswich last summer in a bid to improve his game but David Seaman's return from injury has limited him to a fringe role, which has also hit his England chances.

James is getting regular football with West Ham, which has paid dividends at international level.

The former Liverpool man has won four of his seven caps this season after making his England debut back in 1997.

Seaman's almost exclusive hold on the No 1 jersey has limited the impact both men have had, though, and with only nine caps between them it's impossible to go overboard on their international efforts thus far.

JAMES 6/10, WRIGHT 6/10

FORM THIS SEASON

After missing the first two months with a knee injury he picked up - ironically enough - while on international duty, James has looked back to his best.

Of course, whenever he makes a mistake the old 'Calamity James' headlines are wheeled out but James has been one of West Ham's key players as they have risen into the top 10 of the Premiership.

His appearances for England have been up and down - against Holland in August he played for just four minutes before getting injured, while he did nothing wrong as a second-half substitute in the return match against the Dutch.

Unfortunately he was the man who conceded the last-minute penalty that gave Italy victory at Elland Road in March, but that blighted an otherwise sound display.

Wright's season has been the exact opposite to James'.

After starting the campaign as Seaman's understudy, Wright capitalised on the veteran keeper's shoulder injury and turned in a string of solid displays for Arsenal.

The former Ipswich man was struck down by an injury of his own by mid-November, though, which kept him on the sidelines for two months.

He returned for seven successive matches but has since been consigned to the bench by Seaman's return.

So although Wright has performed admirably when called upon, his lack of action counts against him.

JAMES 7/10, WRIGHT 6/10

SHOT STOPPING

Shot-stopping is probably the biggest asset in James' game.

For a big man he is extremely flexible and can get down to the floor quickly for low shots as well as being sound on aerial shots.

His various hairstyles can take the attention away from his goalkeeping, but there are few keepers with better reflexes than James.

Wright is a high-quality shot-stopper, but not quite in James' class.

However, the youngster does have time on his side.

JAMES 8/10, WRIGHT 7/10

HANDLING ABILITY

James' ability on crosses has had its fair share of column inches down the years.

He doesn't dominate his area to the extent of Peter Schmeichel but in the main his handling is sound.

The problem is that James is prone to lapses in concentration that can lead to dropped crosses, which works against him no matter how rare the mistakes are nowadays.

Wright's handling is top-class.

Despite being three inches smaller than James, he probably has better spring which gives him an advantage over strikers - and is great handling merely confirms that.

Whether the ball is floated in the air or drilled in low he will take it cleanly on a vast majority of times.

JAMES 7/10, WRIGHT 8/10

DISTRIBUTION

James tends to try to keep the pace of the game high with his distribution, similar to Peter Schmeichel.

As soon has he has the ball in hand he is looking for team-mates to bowl it out to or pass long to.

And when it comes down to releasing the ball, James is a good distributor.

Rarely does one of his throws go astray and his long-range kicking is usually pretty good.

Wright is also from the new breed of keepers that have been brought up with the backpass rule.

That means his kicking is sound, whether it be from out of his hands or on the deck.

It is probably not as long as James' but he is an accurate kicker and also a good thrower, enough to earn him a draw.

JAMES 8/10, WRIGHT 8/10

TOTALS: JAMES 36, WRIGHT 35

SPORTINGLIFE.COM VERDICT

It's another close-run thing, with James edging home by a single point.

National coach Sven-Goran Eriksson seems to have used the last couple of friendlies to have a close look at James and Wright's inaction during the latter part of the season will almost certainly count against him.

With his 32nd birthday just around the corner this could well turn out to be James' last World Cup bid, which may go part of the way towards explaining his top form this season.

Wright, on the other hand, looks set for a long stay in the England squad and will have plenty more chances to impress.

With Seaman and Nigel Martyn certain to be on the plane to the Far East barring injuries, Wright and James are fighting it out for third place.

Eriksson might see fit to opt for Wright to give him experience of a major tournament, or he might select James for what may turn out to be his international swansong.

Whichever way he turns, he will not be let down.