Steve Bywater insists he is not concerned about not getting the
call up alongside Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe for the U21s
this time around.
He says philosophically about his omission from David Platt's squad:
"Robinson is involved because he is fit again and Kirkland is back now, so I'm not there.
"I was only there because they were injured, but I'll be back in another couple of years.
"I will just keep going and I'll support the lads, Michael and Jermain, who I work with every day."
Steve insists that Shaka was in no way to blame for the heavy defeat at Everton last weekend, and adds:
"I felt sorry for the side because we can do better than that; it is just a bit unfortunate.
"I don't think Shaka had any chance with any of the goals; people might look at him but I thought he did well."
He was studying Shaka's performance closely and adds:
"I was watching Shaka and Paul Gerrard - I just observe the goalies when I do watch the game, to see how they move about and see if I can pick up anything.
"I haven't got a clue about the midfield, though I know Gravesen did well!"
At least Steve got his first 'competitive' run out with the reserves midweek in the 3-2 defeat by Ipswich, and he says:
"It was good to play with a good team against a good team at a match tempo.
"We were all over them, really, and everyone is baffled by the sending off of Richard Garcia - there was no reason for it, but the referee's decision is final.
"I wasn't that busy and didn't have to do much but you've just got to keep working.
"And I'm training and travelling with the first team - I just need to play games because there's no point just training."
When David James returns Steve will be competing with three other senior keepers and he admits:
"Hopefully I'll be able to go out on loan if the manager lets me; if not I'll just keep playing in the reserves or whatever games I can.
"There is no pressure on me and I'll just keep working hard."
And he says training this week has been bright despite the defeat at Goodison, insisting:
"Everyone is working well and there is a good team spirit, it's just that the results are unfortunate.
"The manager has been saying you can't change the past; we have to get our heads up - we have enough confidence in the camp and hopefully we will take it out on Blackburn a week on Sunday."
He says philosophically about his omission from David Platt's squad:
"Robinson is involved because he is fit again and Kirkland is back now, so I'm not there.
"I was only there because they were injured, but I'll be back in another couple of years.
"I will just keep going and I'll support the lads, Michael and Jermain, who I work with every day."
Steve insists that Shaka was in no way to blame for the heavy defeat at Everton last weekend, and adds:
"I felt sorry for the side because we can do better than that; it is just a bit unfortunate.
"I don't think Shaka had any chance with any of the goals; people might look at him but I thought he did well."
He was studying Shaka's performance closely and adds:
"I was watching Shaka and Paul Gerrard - I just observe the goalies when I do watch the game, to see how they move about and see if I can pick up anything.
"I haven't got a clue about the midfield, though I know Gravesen did well!"
At least Steve got his first 'competitive' run out with the reserves midweek in the 3-2 defeat by Ipswich, and he says:
"It was good to play with a good team against a good team at a match tempo.
"We were all over them, really, and everyone is baffled by the sending off of Richard Garcia - there was no reason for it, but the referee's decision is final.
"I wasn't that busy and didn't have to do much but you've just got to keep working.
"And I'm training and travelling with the first team - I just need to play games because there's no point just training."
When David James returns Steve will be competing with three other senior keepers and he admits:
"Hopefully I'll be able to go out on loan if the manager lets me; if not I'll just keep playing in the reserves or whatever games I can.
"There is no pressure on me and I'll just keep working hard."
And he says training this week has been bright despite the defeat at Goodison, insisting:
"Everyone is working well and there is a good team spirit, it's just that the results are unfortunate.
"The manager has been saying you can't change the past; we have to get our heads up - we have enough confidence in the camp and hopefully we will take it out on Blackburn a week on Sunday."