Will Lehmann return on Sunday?

Last updated : 08 December 2004 By Chris Parry
Manuel Almunia has started two games now, and the boss has revealed that the keeper's feeling the pressure, saying:

"I am a great believer in Manuel Almunia's potential. I just feel that he's playing under such a big pressure that he's not really himself.

"It's a national debate when we change a player, so it's not the best conditions for him to come into the team, especially when you don't have huge experience. It's very difficult for him."

"I feel he showed his potential on some occasions and made a fantastic save in the first half - That's when you saw the real him - But there were other times, when he had a bit more time to make his decisions, that he suffered a bit more from the pressure, like for the goal.

"You only see the pressure is getting to him if he plays. It is quite easy to be hard on him if you've never played the game. Every small mistake that he makes becomes a big problem, but every keeper can make mistakes like that."

Personally I feel that Jens should return to first team action - He's had a break, and having been usurped by his understudy he'll want the opportunity to prove his worth again. Experience counts in these big games and Jens has the credentials.