[BaggieSteve]

I would like to take issue with the current love fest that seems to occur every time Joe Hart steps onto a football pitch and the subsequent adoration bestowed on him by commentators and journalists.

I appreciate this may only be my opinion but I think this guy is a the most overrated player. I've thought this for some time but watching City's game v PSG last night encapsulated all my criticisms. I know he is capable of outstanding agility - witness his penalty save (although I may counter that with the horrendous flap for PSG's second goal) - but my criticism surrounds his complete inability to command his area and, in particular, his non existent dealing with crosses.

Joe Hart is hopeless with any high ball coming near him, his first, indeed his only thought, is to leave well alone. If, against his better judgement, he does venture towards a cross it is with the sole intention of trying to punch it. Last night's game was a perfect example. The commentators made a great deal of his penalty save but did not mention that the situation came about from a shocking flap from Hart when he slapped (punched would be too strong a word) a looping ball out of the are straight to a PSG player who returned it for Luiz to be fouled. Hart was under no challenge and it was a routine catch, one that Forster, Butland and our Ben would have made. Second half and another high ball; Hart, under no challenge from Ibrahimovic and with no-one else near him, again punches. Does this guy have gloves made from soap? Is he concerned that close contact may severely impact his hair styling?

OK, I was brought up in an era of watching Gordon Banks, Pat Jennings, Peter Bonetti, even our own much loved Johnny Osborne, come out for crosses with the sole intention of catching them...and they usually succeeded. Punching the ball was always seen as what ineffectual continental goalkeepers did. So, Joe Hart, take a bow; you are a true European.....except that Buffon is streets better than you.

I was about to suggest that, this coming Saturday, the Baggies should plank a cross into the six yard box in the first minute and get big Salomon to flatten Hart but I then realised that, with our well known attacking prowess, City will probably play without a keeper.

Have I been unfair to Hart? I'd love to hear others opinions

[silverbaggie]

If you think Hart is bad you should see Cheltenham Town's new loaned goalkeeper Jonathan Flatt. If the ball is coming at him at any speed greater than 10 mph he tries to punch it away, even when not being challenged.

I have never seen a goalkeeper doing a more realistic impression of a headless chicken.

He has been loaned from Wolves (I think) following an injury to Dillon Phillips who was Cheltenham's main goalkeeper and whose performances, before he was injured, are one of the reasons why the Club are leading the Vanamara League.

I don't think that Hart should be an automatic first choice for England but, it takes time for any goalkeeper to gell with his fellow defenders. At least England's centre backs know of his weaknesses and can help protect him.

I don't want our Ben to be considered as I don't think that he is yet back to his best and may still be feeling the effects of that injury; if not in terms of pain then in terms of confidence.

[drewks]

"Gloves made of soap"    

Completely agree though about Hart and find it amazing that he's considered our automatic No. 1 keeper. This punching thing is bizarre, given all the bloody protection that a keeper gets these days, and the fact that the ball weighs about a third of what it did 30 years ago,  when as you say, our keepers seldom punched.
OK - the ball can swerve more there days,  but wouldn't that make catching even more preferable than a punch??

IMO Hart is a tart and should concentrate on getting rid of his dandruff

---

PS .....bring back Booky, silver!

[BaggieSteve]

If you think Hart is bad you should see Cheltenham Town's new loaned goalkeeper Jonathan Flatt. If the ball is coming at him at any speed greater than 10 mph he tries to punch it away, even when not being challenged.

I have never seen a goalkeeper doing a more realistic impression of a headless chicken.

He has been loaned from Wolves (I think) following an injury to Dillon Phillips who was Cheltenham's main goalkeeper and whose performances, before he was injured, are one of the reasons why the Club are leading the Vanamara League.

I don't think that Hart should be an automatic first choice for England but, it takes time for any goalkeeper to gell with his fellow defenders. At least England's centre backs know of his weaknesses and can help protect him.

I don't want our Ben to be considered as I don't think that he is yet back to his best and may still be feeling the effects of that injury; if not in terms of pain then in terms of confidence.

Silverbaggie, I do agree with you that it takes time to gel with defenders but the problem with internationals is that this is never really guaranteed as selection and availability influence who will be in front of the goalkeeper. As a result, I think the keeper has to be excellent and confident in his own right regardless of the rest of the defence. I just think that, whilst Hart will make his share of reaction saves, he does not instill confidence any time a ball comes into the box. If you're a defender, you know that you'll have to go for the cross because Hart won't or, if he does, who knows what the outcome will be. Like you I'd be happy if Foster was not selected. He's been so dogged with injury that, from a Baggies perspective, I'd like to guarantee he's fit for the start of next season.