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Preview: Posh keeper backs 'Calamity Carson'
WEST Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson has been defended by a Posh player who may one day be a rival for the England number one spot.
WEST Brom goalkeeper Scott Carson has been defended by a Posh player who may one day be a rival for the England number one spot.Carson was the subject of some good-natured banter from the visiting fans as Posh forced a 1-1 draw in the original tie at The Hawthorns 10 days ago.
Reminders of his disappointing display when thrown in at the deep end by England in a decisive European Championships qualifying match against Croatia last year were aired at regular intervals.
And Carson made an almighty cock-up when diverting Gaby Agbonlahor's shot into his own goal during Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Albion on Saturday.
But Posh keeper Joe Lewis, an England squad member himself last summer, believes that Carson will offer a formidable last line of defence tonight.
Lewis said: "Scott is a quality keeper and he played really well in the first game against us. The save he made in the first-half from Craig Mackail-Smith was world class and his handling was impeccable all game.
"I guess he's always getting stick about that Croatia match, but he's still one of the best goalkeepers in the country. I don't know him as he wasn't in the England squad with me, but he was good enough to congratulate me on my own performance at West Brom.
"I enjoyed that game and if we play as well again tonight we must have a great chance. Some people are saying we have already missed our best chance to beat them as they won't play as poorly again tonight.
"But I don't agree. Our fans were fantastic at West Brom and we will have even more at the ground tonight when a passionate atmosphere will definitely help us.
"We will have to concentrate defensively for 90 minutes again. Craig Morgan and Gaby Zakuani were excellent as usual at The Hawthorns so I didn't have a great deal to do.
"It's great playing behind such a strong defence. I'm rarely very busy so concentration is really important for me.
"I made a couple of saves I was pleased with though, especially the one in the last minute as the shot travelled through Russell Martin's legs."
Lewis is well aware that goalkeeping is the loneliest position on the football field. He's suffered his own awkward moments this season and he points to the uncertainty surrounding his mate Joe Hart at Manchester City for proof that football is a fickle profession.
Lewis, whose own goalkeeping hero is Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel, added: "I can only carry on working hard at my own game and hope that I get the rewards for my efforts, but sometimes not even playing well will guarantee anything.
Lewis added: "Joe Hart is playing well at Manchester City and is clearly one of the best keepers in the country and yet City seem to be trying to sign another one.
"It doesn't make sense to me as they are unlikely to find one better than Joe. It keeps us on our toes I guess."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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