Green cleans up as he enjoys shut-out

11:41am Wednesday 19th November 2008

IF goalkeepers are solely marked by the number of clean sheets they keep, then Robert Green must be a relieved man.

Some 26 games have elapsed for the 28-year-old since he went 90 minutes without conceding for West Ham, up until Saturday's goalless draw with Portsmouth.

The reality, of course, is somewhat different. There are a number of factors to bring into consideration, such as the leaky defence in front of him.

Green is also, arguably, the Hammers most prized asset and to many a mind should be a certain inclusion in the England squad.

However, such was the weight on the former Norwich City stopper’s shoulders that he has expressed the relief that came with the shut-out against Pompey - his and the club's first since February.

“Yeah, I'm delighted. It’s just good to get the monkey off my back,” said Green.

“I was getting sick of letting goals in and I’ve been pretty sick of people reminding us we haven’t kept a clean sheet for god knows how long.

“For a keeper, clean sheets is the same as a striker with goals. If you don’t let any goals in you think, along with your defence and the other lads, you’ve done half the job.”

Saturday's result was also much more to the Hammers than about solely keeping a clean sheet.

It was also about proving that they can grind out a result, particularly following five defeats - including throwing away victories that were within grasp against Middlesbrough and Everton - in the last six games.

They’ve shown that they can do that and now Green is hopeful that the Irons are over their rough patch and can build on the positives to come out of the game.

“People go through good times, people go through bad times. Teams go through good times,” he said. “The important thing is you stick together. We’ve got enough quality in the squad to be a strong side in the Premiership.

“We know that and it’s not like last week against Everton where we looked like the better team by a mile for 85 minutes and ended up being defeated.

“Portsmouth have come and blocked up and made it hard for us. That’s how much we’re respected in the league.

“It’s not been the best of runs by any stretch of the imagination but it’s a run we’ve hopefully ended now. Hopefully we can build on that next week and really go forward.”