There was no prouder person than Ludek Mikloso on Saturday as Robert Green underlined yet again why he is the reigning Hammer of the Year.
Goalkeeping coach Miklosko was delighted to see the West Ham United No1 go up against Jermain Defoe on a trio of occasions, and each time come out on top with superb saves when his team needed it most. It meant a first clean sheet in 25 games, although that run does not tell the story of Green's fine form. "I am very proud of the way he played," said Miklosko. "He made three excellent saves and he did very well."
For the Czech coach though, it was simply a case of business as usual for Green, with the keeper having also performed well against Everton last week - only to be beaten three times then in a mad four-minute spell. "Robert did very well on Saturday but he also did very well in the previous game against Everton. The only thing was keeping the clean sheet but that was not just his problem but the problem of the whole team.
"Against Portsmouth, he kept a clean sheet but also we should say it was not just down to him but the whole team. Last week he couldn't do anything with the goals but this is football and this is the life of a goalkeeper. You have to take it on the chin, work hard and prove everyone wrong. He kept a clean sheet and you can only say positive things about him."
Helping Green to push himself on is the competition in training with Jan Lastuvka, Jimmy Walker and Marek Stech keeping him on his toes. Miklosko is delighted with the pool of talent he is able to work with every day at Chadwell Heath. "There is a fantastic atmosphere in training. I have got a great bunch of goalkeepers. They work hard and want to work hard. Sometimes I am more tired than them because they want to work more and more and more. This is great for me."
Green was overlooked for an England call this week but Miklosko has no doubts that the 28-year-old is one of the best around. "The England manager was watching him. He saw him and I think he deserves to get a chance. That's all I can say about it. He is a fantastic goalkeeper." Coincidentally, the result was West Ham United's first goalless draw in 33 league games since a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth 13 months ago - on that occasion Green was the hero again with a last-gasp penalty stop.