Rob Green

The Hammers manager says that, although Green and other England players may get a rough ride from fans – particularly of opposition clubs – early this season it should not affect their form.

Green’s clanger saw him allow a harmless-looking shot from USA’s Clint Dempsey to find the net in England’s opening 1-1 draw at the World Cup.

The keeper was axed for the rest of the tournament but has been publicly backed by his club manager.

“I believe any player needs to give answers on the pitch,” Grant told the club’s official website.

“I remember David Beckham after the World Cup in 1998, it was his best season. I remember Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006, the supporters did not like him and it was his best season.

“In the 2002 final Oliver Kahn conceded a goal my grandmother could have stopped and Germany lost the title, but he was still a good goalkeeper.

“Rob is a very good goalkeeper, very good mentally, high quality.

“It will not be the last time a goalkeeper lets a goal in like that, there were many at the World Cup.

“But with the support – it happened to Beckham and it happened to Ronaldo and I hope his reaction will be the same.”

Green was overlooked for this week’s friendly against Hungary, even though Ben Foster withdrew with an injury and Paul Robinson announced his international retirement.

But the West Ham (1/8 to stay up) boss feels Green has no intention of following Robinson’s lead and says he can force his way back into Fabio Capello’s plans.

“I didn’t have to speak to him,” said Grant. “It’s part of the game.

“I don’t think he needs to retire because in my opinion he will play many games for the England team. At the moment he is one of the top two goalkeepers in the country.”

Meanwhile, Grant says he is preparing to live out his dreams at Upton Park.

As a young man in Israel, he says he loved the way West Ham (20/1 to finish in top six) would try to entertain with attacking football.

He visited the club and sat at the feet of former boss Ron Greenwood.

Grant told the Daily Express: “I know everything about West Ham and their traditions. I know what they believed in, how they wanted to play the game and be judged. It was probably the main reason I took the job. I absorbed everything about them and about English football too

“I would very much like to carry on the traditions of this club.

“This season, for me and for West Ham, is a big challenge, but always success is a journey, not just a target.”

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Manchester City

City have made Milner one of their top targets of the summer and they have moved a step closer to landing him after Villa boss Martin O’Neill revealed he could leave if their valuation is met.

That may be easier said than done and City are said to be reluctant to meet the £30million price tag that has been placed on the England international’s head, but for the first time Villa have revealed there is a deal to be done.

City may have money to burn but Roberto Mancini is not willing to pay over the odds and may not be willing to go over the £25million mark, for a player who cost Villa £12million when they signed him from Newcastle two years ago.

The Eastlands outfit are believed to have failed with at least one bid and it will now be interesting to see if they react to O’Neill’s comments by making a new, improved bid.

O’Neill would clearly like to keep the midfielder but he is wise enough to know that every player has a price and if City are willing to pay big bucks then it will be best to take the cash and use it to strengthen his own squad.

The Villa boss will also be reluctant to keep an unhappy player on his books and if Milner has made it clear that he wants to leave then it will be best for everyone if a deal can be hammered out quickly.

Milner wants to be playing Champions League football and even though that will not be on the agenda in the next campaign it should be the season after with City 1/2 to break into the top four.

For all Villa’s efforts over the last two seasons they have missed out on the top four and are way down in the betting at 15/2 to make it this season.

Milner clearly wants to move on to the next level and he will get the chance if City stump up the cash and meet Villa’s valuation.

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Green was selected ahead of David James and Joe Hart, and enjoyed a solid performance except for his one howler which ultimately cost the Three Lions all three points in their opening Group C game in Rustenburg.

The Hammers shot stopper recovered from his earlier mistake in the second half with a good save from USA striker Jozy Altidore’s shot.

Green was quick to come out and speak to the media after the game, stating that he can handle the criticism that will be coming his way after the huge error.

He said: “It’s not something you can allow to affect yourself.

“In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine.

“It’s about being steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that’s life as a goalkeeper.

“I’ve been in this situation before and it’s about holding your head up high, facing you guys (the media), taking the flak which is going to come. That’s life,” he added.

England took an early lead in the match thanks to a goal from captain Steven Gerrard who slotted the ball home after a good pass from Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey.

The Liverpool midfielder backed his keeper after the game and is confident that the player will bounce back from the mistake.

He said: “It was one of those freak things, I don’t think you can criticise the keeper. People have been talking about the ball and it is tricky.

“Rob will learn from this and he might make an important save that wins us a match. We’re all behind him. It was a bit of shock and it took us a while to get over it.”

Fabio Capello now has to make a decision on whether Green will keep his place in the starting line up or to start James or Hart in the second game on Friday.

England (1/14 to qualify from Group C) will be looking towards their next game against Algeria and they could be without a couple of players through injury.

James Milner was brought off after 30 minutes during the USA match after the Aston Villa midfielder struggled on the left wing.

It is not certain whether the temperature that the player has suffered with got the better of him or if he struggled with the pace in the game after picking up a yellow card for a mistimed challenge.

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