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26-05-2007, 17:00
http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/wd2088501albion-1-dh.jpgIt’s the outfield players who are likely to grab the headlines, but the battle between the two keepers will be vital to Monday’s outcome.
The most exposed position on the pitch is not one for the faint hearted, knowing one slip can see you plummet from hero to zero in seconds.
It’s not a problem that will faze Albion shot stopper Dean Kiely, who can draw on years of experience at the top when he steps out at Wembley.
He’ll also head for the impressive new £757m stadium full of confidence after a hugely impressive second half of the season between the sticks since his January move from Portsmouth.
The 36-year-old has become an integral part of the Baggies’ side, making crucial matchwinning saves that ultimately went a long way to guaranteeing them a play-off berth.
His penalty save from Paul Furlong at QPR, his injury time stop from Dion Dublin at Norwich and his brilliant full stretch effort to tip Dele Adebola’s thunderbolt on to the post at Coventry all earned the Baggies vital wins.
But he was arguably never more important than in the first half of the first leg of the semi-final against Wolves at Molineux when he almost single handedly kept Albion in the tie.
Twice he denied Michael Kightly with stunning stops, while his last minute dive to deny the same player was no less vital to the outcome.
Kiely’s adage of practice makes perfect means he will have prepared for Monday in the same way he prepares for any other game and, having been there and done it in his long career, will be relishing the prospect of playing at Wembley, not fearing it.
At the age of 25, his Derby counterpart Stephen Bywater is still young for a keeper, but he has been tipped for the top for years.
But as of yet he’s really still to fulfil his potential, hence spells with no fewer than seven clubs before finally becoming one of Billy Davies’ first permanent signings last summer.
Bywater has repaid his managers faith with an excellent season between the sticks, keeping two other excellent young goalkeepers Lee Camp and Lee Grant on the sidelines.
But he showed just a hint in the second leg of Derby’s semi-final with Southampton that he could get rattled on the big occasion, making a mistake which gifted a goal to John Viafara.
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/26/keepers-battle-provides-focus/)
The most exposed position on the pitch is not one for the faint hearted, knowing one slip can see you plummet from hero to zero in seconds.
It’s not a problem that will faze Albion shot stopper Dean Kiely, who can draw on years of experience at the top when he steps out at Wembley.
He’ll also head for the impressive new £757m stadium full of confidence after a hugely impressive second half of the season between the sticks since his January move from Portsmouth.
The 36-year-old has become an integral part of the Baggies’ side, making crucial matchwinning saves that ultimately went a long way to guaranteeing them a play-off berth.
His penalty save from Paul Furlong at QPR, his injury time stop from Dion Dublin at Norwich and his brilliant full stretch effort to tip Dele Adebola’s thunderbolt on to the post at Coventry all earned the Baggies vital wins.
But he was arguably never more important than in the first half of the first leg of the semi-final against Wolves at Molineux when he almost single handedly kept Albion in the tie.
Twice he denied Michael Kightly with stunning stops, while his last minute dive to deny the same player was no less vital to the outcome.
Kiely’s adage of practice makes perfect means he will have prepared for Monday in the same way he prepares for any other game and, having been there and done it in his long career, will be relishing the prospect of playing at Wembley, not fearing it.
At the age of 25, his Derby counterpart Stephen Bywater is still young for a keeper, but he has been tipped for the top for years.
But as of yet he’s really still to fulfil his potential, hence spells with no fewer than seven clubs before finally becoming one of Billy Davies’ first permanent signings last summer.
Bywater has repaid his managers faith with an excellent season between the sticks, keeping two other excellent young goalkeepers Lee Camp and Lee Grant on the sidelines.
But he showed just a hint in the second leg of Derby’s semi-final with Southampton that he could get rattled on the big occasion, making a mistake which gifted a goal to John Viafara.
More... (http://www.expressandstar.co.uk/2007/05/26/keepers-battle-provides-focus/)
