"Well tomorrow's game between England and Finland could prove to be decided between present and former team-mates of mine. In attack for Finland, Jari Litmanen will present a huge threat and of course he's a former team-mate of mine from my Ajax days.

"Jari arrived during my final year at the club but you could tell he was going to be just huge. He has such great technique and once I left, he was more free to assume the position I'd played in. That's when he blossomed.

"I'll always remember Jari as a total professional. He lived for his career and was totally sports mad. Other sports he enjoyed included ice hockey which he was excellent at playing. A hugely ambitious and dedicated guy, I think Jari is the business and will pose a huge threat tomorrow.

"Facing that threat will be my current team-mate, David Seaman. Now for me, David has absolutely comprehensively got to be England's number one choice in goal. I know he's had some doubters this season so let me talk a bit about him and why I have so much faith in him.

"David is as solid and professional as you could hope for. You wouldn't believe the work that David puts in on the training ground and the inspiration that he offers his team-mates. When he's on the field, we all feel so much better about things and that means everyone performs better. He wins us points on his own and does the same for England.

"I don't believe the stick that David has received recently, it's totally crazy. He was rightly a national hero after Euro 96. I remember that at nearly every ground Arsenal played at after that, David got applause from opposing fans.

"I'm sorry, but he hasn't declined in ability since then so those who get on his back or question him now are just plain wrong. David won't let any of this bother him because just like the rest of us who actually work day to day in the game, he knows the reality of how football works.

"In any case, there's no-one else in the game right now that is really making a case for themselves as a successor. I know there are other candidates but no-one is standing out a mile. Let's stick with David and stop abusing him."