Given axed...Hart in

[Crossie]

Its fair enough, give Hart a chance, he's done everything right pre-season and last season to deserve a chance.

Given will still get plently of cup and european games.

If Hart fucks up, fine, swap and send him back to Brum on load.

Neither keeper will be happy on the bench all season, and to be fair their both good enough to be in most other premier league teams as first choice.

We're quite blessed.

[Dubciteh]

Im not really fussed either way as both are decent(imo neither good enough for the top top teams but thats another days work)

Whats worrying is that given hasnt done anything wrong and hart to a certain extent hasnt done anything exceptional for us to get the jersey(team of the year my bollix i personally dont think he was best keeper last year, he was maybe most improved and the fact brum surprised a few people got him in the team,plus media overdrive for english star), so whats the criteria for dropping a man that doesnt let you down? Its not a bellamy situation where he mouths off or is a bad influence, this guy is our vice captain(or was) and is model pro, he deserves some respect.. Its a big call from mancini i hope its right, similar to bellers and ireland situation in regards its not what id of done personally but you have the back the managers judgement until evidence proves otherwise.

[Tokyo Blue]

I suspect that Given isn't fully fit yet.

[Renato_CTID]

It's really a difficult choice for Mancio this one!

[Blue2]

If true, horrific decision. Two most important games possibly of the season are the first two for city and starting the clearly weaker keeper is a ridiculous idea. Hart was muck in pre-season and could feasibly cost City a top 4 spot in two 6 pointer game.

mongs saying hart is on par with Given, he's done nothing but be above mediocre for a shite team last season. Given was brilliant last season and in pre-season and now he's probably going to strengthen an immediate rival Arsenal. For fuck sake.

Given wasn't brilliant last season, has vampire tendancies and Hart was voted THE BEST keeper by fellow professional last season.

[steveo_88]

If Given is fully fit and his game hasn't deteriorated after dislocating his arm then he is still the best keeper we have!

[BlueMoonAwoken]

I suspect that Given isn't fully fit yet.

Yeah good point, but hart was suspect for me in pre-season ! cant remember who it was against but hart ran out to stop the striker and instead of pouncing towards the ball taking everything in his way he just chicken'd out.

[Im_Spartacus]

Look at it this way.. if we were to buy last seasons best premier league keeper we'd be looking to play him.

Brilliant point, I think that pretty much sums it up. We are a little spoiled, but when you look at it that way, I suppose it ends the debate.

[avoidconfusion]

If true, horrific decision. Two most important games possibly of the season are the first two for city and starting the clearly weaker keeper is a ridiculous idea. Hart was muck in pre-season and could feasibly cost City a top 4 spot in two 6 pointer game.

mongs saying hart is on par with Given, he's done nothing but be above mediocre for a shite team last season. Given was brilliant last season and in pre-season and now he's probably going to strengthen an immediate rival Arsenal. For fuck sake.

Wait... what? Hart was absolutely OUTSTANDING in a team that had a much worse defense than City... how is that NOT a positive? Above mediocre... I wish Given had been above mediocre for us for the entire season, especially when it comes to maybe collect crosses or command his area or distribution. Absolute fantastic shot stopper and good keeper but I don't think there is much if anything at all between Hart and Given anymore, in fact I think Hart is better.

And if we give Given then No. 1 shirt again that would mean Hart will want to leave and I'd rather keep Hart as he is the one for the future.

[Dubciteh]

Look at it this way.. if we were to buy last seasons best premier league keeper we'd be looking to play him.

Brilliant point, I think that pretty much sums it up. We are a little spoiled, but when you look at it that way, I suppose it ends the debate.

I dont think we can use that as valid argument after we ridicule the rags and giggs for it only last year, the team was made in feb season ended in may and its been proved to be a joke over the years.

If we use fantasy football stats there were 5 or 6 keepers better and hart only had 9 points more than given, which given prob would of made up if he hadnt of got injured. For the record Reina was no1.

Just saying like :)

[ENIAM NAM]

Hart plays.

[Socrates]

If true, horrific decision. Two most important games possibly of the season are the first two for city and starting the clearly weaker keeper is a ridiculous idea. Hart was muck in pre-season and could feasibly cost City a top 4 spot in two 6 pointer game.

mongs saying hart is on par with Given, he's done nothing but be above mediocre for a shite team last season. Given was brilliant last season and in pre-season and now he's probably going to strengthen an immediate rival Arsenal. For fuck sake.

On a scale from one to ten, how fucking stupid do you feel now?

[King Kev]

I actually think Mr Smurf is on the wind up. Surely nobody can really be this stupid!?

[Blue Man Dan.]

Well done Joe Hart, we would have been cataclysmaly fucked today if it wasn't for him.


the defence however shouldn't have let him do so much of the work...

[avoidconfusion]

I think Hart proved today that Mancini was right to pick him.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Well well well. That was probably the best one off performance I've seen from City keeper since Scmeichell against Southampton.

Did what I hoped he'd do and showed he is willing to fight for that jersey. Should play at least next ten games now.

[Renato_CTID]

Sorry for Shay Given, but today we definitively find our best goalkeeper for the next 12/15 years!

[Kladze]

Well well well. That was probably the best one off performance I've seen from City keeper since Scmeichell against Southampton.

Did what I hoped he'd do and showed he is willing to fight for that jersey. Should play at least next ten games now.

I think he's made a lot of effort trying to make himself undisputed number one - turning up for training several times when he didn't have to for instance.

But his performance when and where it mattered today told all and sundry " I am number 1 ".

[shawzy]

Saved are ass today..Mancini wins this one...Best performance iv seen from a keeper for along time.

[irblinx]

turning up for training several times when he didn't have to for instance.

Not sure that's true, he said himself in an interview when asked about getting to the US early that we'd actually asked him to get there a week earlier than he did! This week possibly having played 90 for England.

However his performances last year and his superb showing today prove that he's ready to be our no.1