Birmingham wait on Hart deal

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish would like to extend goalkeeper Joe Hart's stay at the club, but will have to wait until the end of the season to tie up any deal.

Hart agreed a season-long switch to St Andrews from Manchester City during the summer and has largely been in outstanding form for McLeish's side.

The 22-year-old has formed the foundations of a solid Birmingham rearguard that enjoyed a 12-match unbeaten run, a sequence that propelled the newly-promoted team into the higher reaches of the Premier League.

The former Shrewsbury man was looking for first team football after former City boss Mark Hughes brought in Shay Given from Newcastle in January 2009.

That meant a move to the Midlands club would give Hart the chance for regular top flight football, and aside from deputy Maik Taylor's three appearances, Hart has been McLeish's first choice.

McLeish admitted he is keen to keep the youngster under his stewardship for next season, although he has been told he will have to wait before putting pen-to-paper once again.

The Scotsman said: "City are not going to make any decisions regarding Joe until the summer. They have confirmed that to us now.

"We would like to sign Joe for another season. The keeping role is massively important and that's why I'd like to get City's nod of approval.

"That would help us in terms of us knowing what we are doing but there will be no news until the summer."

Hart has kept 11 clean sheets throughout the campaign, with his performances expected to lead to a place in Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa.

McLeish firmly believes his custodian is worthy of a place in the 23-man squad for the showpiece event in June, having helped his side gather a healthy points total that has guaranteed Premier League survival.

He added: "A top-class keeper can save you 10-12 points every season and Joe has certainly done that already.

"I believe he has done well enough to go to the World Cup but it is down to Fabio Capello. I am not picking his team."

skysports.com

I like that we have told them no deal will be done untill the summer. I wouldn't mind having Joe back with us next season i think the lad has played brilliantly for Brum this season, his game has really improved.

[Slim]

Every time Shay kicks the ball I want Joe back a little more.

[Dazzacity]

WE defo need to get Joe back,but only if he can really start pushin for a place in the startin eleven. It would be great to have Shay and Joe switchin for a startin place, keepin eachother on their toes. I wouldnt want to see Joey comin back and hardly getting a run out. It wont do him any good at all..But we wont sell him. no way.

I just hope Joe doesnt get too settled at Brum and wants to stay!! I cant see it.

[Crossie]

Another season with them makes sense. Next season I reckon Hart will come on a par with Given, season after, let Hart have the number one spot, as long as he continues at this rate of improvement

[dazby]

Joe Hart has ke#t 11 #remiershi# clean sheets. Shay has ke#t 10.

[Alex Sapphire]

Joe Hart has ke#t 11 #remiershi# clean sheets. Shay has ke#t 10.

looks like the bugger who stole your x has now got your p

[ian494]

Joe Hart has ke#t 11 #remiershi# clean sheets. Shay has ke#t 10.

looks like the bugger who stole your x has now got your p

He must be using Windows 7 as he doesnt have xp anymore......





I'll get me coat.

[Blueboylewis]

Makes sense completely with Hart staying on loan for another season. Thats if he does though. Shay is a top quality keeper and Joe wont start many games with Shay here still. Joe will come back a much better keeper if he goes out on loan again next season. All this experience that he is gaining. It can only be good for him.

[ross.mcfc]

Win win for everyone involved. I'm sure we will see sense and send him back to Brum next year.

If he keeps developing at this rate and isnt exposed to a England World cup appearance we may have a brillant keeper on our hands for years to come.

[Vhero]

Every time Shay kicks the ball I want Joe back a little more.

This.

[Fish111]

I'd have Hart back in our starting line up for next season. His form has been better than Shays. Shay has not been his exemplary self this season which indicates to me he is in a comfort zone. He needs his place taken away by a quality keeper which is not going to happen if we let Hart to Birmingham again. Plus if we let Hart go to Brum for another year then he might grow to love the place and ask for a move.

[john@staustell]

I'd have Hart back in our starting line up for next season. His form has been better than Shays. Shay has not been his exemplary self this season which indicates to me he is in a comfort zone. He needs his place taken away by a quality keeper which is not going to happen if we let Hart to Birmingham again. Plus if we let Hart go to Brum for another year then he might grow to love the place and ask for a move.

Hart is on good form but when it´s not your club, you tend to see the spectacular and not the whole performances. No way will he depose Shay yet and another season at Brum is the best bet (with a recall clause).

As far Dazby´s clean sheet statistic, surely Brum are the most defensively minded and solid team of all? Hardly a yardstick to compare keepers.

[Fish111]

We knew Hart was quality before we sent him on loan and his form has been outstanding this season, you don't need to see him week in week out to know that. Whereas Shays form has dipped, and that's after seeing him week in week out so i think i can see the whole picture. Shays position is not under threat by anyone so having Hart back will give Shay the kick up the backside he needs imo. If we were to send Hart back out on loan then i'd want him at another club, i don't want him getting too comfortable at one particular place.

[bluechester]

Another season with them makes sense. Next season I reckon Hart will come on a par with Given, season after, let Hart have the number one spot, as long as he continues at this rate of improvement

this for me, given is still a top keeper, one more year for hart at anouther club & he will be ready for us, giving him more experience.

[Kiss_The_Goat]

Makes sense completely with Hart staying on loan for another season. Thats if he does though. Shay is a top quality keeper and Joe wont start many games with Shay here still. Joe will come back a much better keeper if he goes out on loan again next season. All this experience that he is gaining. It can only be good for him.

Totally agree Lewis. There's no way he's going to get in ahead of Shay, so the best thing for him and in the long term us, is to send him out to Brum again for next season.