Robert Green has spoken of his happiness at West Ham United as he looks forward to the prospect of a first competitive appearance for England this weekend.
Speaking to the England press pack ahead of Saturday's FIFA World Cup qualfier in Kazakhstan, Green was asked about his thoughts on the future after his club just missed out on European football with a very creditable ninth-place finish. "There are no problems at West Ham," he said. "I love it there and enjoy playing in front of the fans and for the manager.
"Playing football in the Premier League you are up against the best players in the world. Realistically you are getting tested every week in that respect. It's enough of a challenge in the Premier League as anywhere else."
Much of his upbeat mood can be attributed to the arrival of Gianfranco Zola, and the No1 was full of praise for the manager who has helped him in his run of 88 consecutive league appearances. "He's been a tremendous attribute to me personally, to the team and the club. It didn't take him too long to be offered a longer-term contract or improved contract.
"On a personal level, within the side it's helped that we are playing out from the defence a lot more. I feel my right leg isn't hurting so much at the end of the season because I haven't taken so many goal-kicks. We're passing it out a lot more.
"You take stock and just in flashpoints in games you receive a pass and pass it out the other side … we hadn't done that before. He's given the players the confidence to go out and do that because he has belief in the guys within the side that we can play football. That is a tremendous attribute to have for himself and the players.
"He's helped me as a player and each individual at the club. You look at someone like Carlton Cole who has come on a great deal since he's taken over. It helps that he is in the manager's old position but even for the goalkeeper, you respond to the team around you.
"If you get a back-pass and four people in your defence are wanting the ball then it's going to make you play in a more footballing manner than supposedly a guy who would look up and see ten numbers rather than faces."