Roy Hodgson says Joe Hart’s place is safe – for now…
England manager Roy Hodgson still believes his no.1 goalkeeper Joe Hart is top class, despite the Manchester City man’s dodgy recent form.
“I will be vociferous in my support for him because I feel he deserves it,” the England boss told the FA’s official website.
“I do believe in Joe Hart, I do think he’s a very fine goalkeeper and he has two fantastic opportunities, barring in injury to prove that against Moldova and Ukraine. I believe he’ll come out of it with flying colours.”
Hart received criticism for failing to keep out James Morrison’s effort for Scotland during England’s 3-2 friendly victory, and suffered another untimely blunder in City’s 3-2 defeat to Cardiff City.
Hodgson is adamant that Hart is the right man to play between the sticks in England’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine in September.
“I would defend him,” said the former Liverpool, Fulham and West Brom manager.
“It would take more than a couple of games before we lost faith in a guy who has been number one over a long period.
“I have every faith in Joe Hart. When I took the job I thought I had a top class goalkeeper and 16 months later feel I still have a top class goalkeeper.”
West Brom keeper Ben Foster had a brilliant game in his side’s 0-0 draw against Everton at the weekend, and there were calls for him to be recalled as England’s first choice. However, news broke that Foster has suffered a nasty injury, which will keep him out for three months. Realistically, despite Hart’s poor form – there is no-one mounting a serious challenge for his jersey.
COMMENTS