MARK Schwarzer last night launched an impassioned defence of fellow goalkeeper David James, claiming that he had been made a scapegoat for the deficiencies of the England team.
James was roundly criticised after allowing Andreas Ivanschitz's tame shot to wriggle under his body in Saturday's disappointing 2-2 draw with Austria.
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson initially spoke out in favour of the under-fire stopper but, when push came to shove, he dropped him for Paul Robinson ahead of Wednesday night's 2-1 win in Poland.
James is no stranger to criticism thanks to a litany of errors that have seen him saddled with the nickname 'Calamity'.
But, while Schwarzer accepts that criticial remarks are part of a goalkeeper's lot, he agrees with some of the England players who have claimed that this week's comments have gone too far.
"I think he's been harshly treated by a lot of people in the media because it can happen to anyone," said Schwarzer, who will be back in the international spotlight himself next month when Australia take on the Solomon Islands. "They've picked on one particular person and made him into a scapegoat.
"It's just one of those things that happens but, unfortunately, he's been crucified for it.
"It just depends on how you recover, that's the most important thing. Unfortunately for David, he didn't get the opportunity to recover because it was right at the end of the game and he didn't have anything else to do.
"He was left out for the next game so it's been very difficult for him to try to make amends for the mistake he made."
Schwarzer knows all about high-profile bloomers after losing grasp of a speculative Kevin Davies effort in last season's Carling Cup final.
The Boro number one handed Bolton a lifeline, but went on to atone for his mistake with a string of superb saves.
The support of his team-mates at the time helped but, just as a goalkeeper has nowhere to hide when things go wrong, so he must rely on himself to put them right again.
"I know exactly what can happen myself," said Schwarzer. "You just have to look back at last season's cup final. Everyone makes mistakes and I made a howler there.
"It helps when you've got players around who support you, but there's only one person who can rectify the mistake to any extent.
"You can't change what you've done, but you can try to make an impact on the game in some other way and make sure it doesn't happen again."
James must now begin that rebuilding process but, had England failed to take three points in Poland on Wednesday, the Manchester City goalkeeper might not have been the only one picking up the pieces of his international career.
Eriksson's position would have been called into question had England lost and, if the Swede had parted company with the FA, Boro boss Steve McClaren would have been the first choice to be his successor.
McClaren has already been something of a wanted man this month, with Newcastle approaching him about their vacant managerial position following the dismissal of Sir Bobby Robson.
Schwarzer is delighted that any rumours have been quashed by McClaren's confirmation that he wants to honour his contract at Middlesbrough - a decision that could have had something to do with the way his side have played in the opening four games of the season.
"Nobody likes the disruption so we're happy that's everything's been put to bed now," he said. "Steve's done a great job since he came to the club and the squad this year's probably the strongest it's ever been.
"It makes all the difference when you have a good quality squad at the club. We've got off to a great start and that makes the decision easier.
"Steve felt able to turn round and say 'I'm happy where I am and I'm happy with the players I've got'."
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