Bywater is one of top six English keepers, says Rams boss
NIGEL Clough rates Derby County's Stephen Bywater as one of the top six English goalkeepers.
Clough is "very, very pleased" with Bywater's form, despite the Rams' struggle to win games.
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Eight defeats in the past 11 matches have seen Derby slip to 20th in the Championship.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of bottom club Ipswich Town at the weekend.
"I think, despite the defeats, that Stephen Bywater is in fine form at the moment," said Clough, ahead of tonight's Championship clash against Coventry City at Pride Park Stadium.
"We're very, very pleased with him," added Clough.
"When you look at the list of English goalkeepers, he must be in the top half-dozen in the country."
David James of Portsmouth and Manchester United's Ben Foster were in the most recent England squad.
West Ham United's Robert Green played in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, where he was sent off following a blunder by defender Rio Ferdinand.
Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers) and Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic) are the other English keepers currently playing on a regular basis for their clubs in the Premier League.
Bywater represented England earlier in his career.
He played for the Under-19s, rotating with Robinson and Kirkland, and went on to win six Under-21 caps while with West Ham United.
The 28-year-old has been ever-present for Derby this season and made his 100th League appearance for the club in the recent defeat by Queens Park Rangers.
Bywater has made 38 consecutive starts.
Coventry's number one, Keiren Westwood, is a big doubt for tonight's game.
Westwood's back problem is still troubling him and he has seen a specialist this week.
He missed Coventry's 3-1 home defeat by Reading at the weekend. Dimi Konstantopolous replaced him.
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by Steve Leigh, Chaddesden Derby
Saturday, November 07 2009, 4:25PM
“I for one think Nigel Clough is spot on. Bywater is in my opinion, the very best keeper outside the Prem, not a doubt about it! Yes his distribution could be better, but anyone that says he don't command his area must be blind!!!
If it wasn't for Bywater, we would be rooted to the bottom of the table, without a doubt. You lot should get off his back and the other lads in the team (at the moment) and just get behind the team like true supporters should do!!!
The current first team are there tryin to do a job, ok not the best job at the mo, but if we all get rite behind the team, and support them no matter wot, then they would see that and start to believe in them selfs, and once the injury problems start to ease, the competition for a place in the team would hot up, and the team will start to show wot they can do!!! Come on get behind the lads... C'mon You Rams!!!!”
by reg collis, brisbane australia
Saturday, November 07 2009, 3:07AM
“HEY NIGEL, DO YOU FEEL THE SAME AFTER COVENTRY GAME, 3 PUNCHES MISSED ??”
by Josh, England
Friday, November 06 2009, 10:12PM
“Bywater is good but never England class!”
by kev mcd, telford
Friday, November 06 2009, 6:39PM
“i agree with cloughie and i think hulse should play up front with rooney this summer and moxey should partner terry!”
by Wiklow, Essex
Friday, November 06 2009, 5:02PM
“Bywater is an excellent keeper probably the best that we have had since I have been watching The Rams and that is since Les Green and I includeCB and Poomy on that.”