Joe Hart

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

[dazby]

The bit I get from him is that he wants to play regularly and doesn't really care who it's for. I don't think he wants to fight for a place, he just wants to play regularly.

One of our members mentioned that Joe said this just after Shay was signed. I'll also wager that Joe is of the opinion that Shay is a very tough nut to crack for the number 1 slot.

[DoomMerchant]

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I would agree that Joe isn't a kid anymore. I have already said I think Joe should be the number 1 for City from next year and that isn't because he is a lot better than Shay( I think they are close to equal) but more that he has 10 to 15 years at the top and Shay has 2or 3 maybe.Add Shay's shoulder injury which I fear might be an ongoing problem and we would be crazy not to sort Joe out now. It is sounding unlikely as I hear that nobody has been speaking with him about his future.

At the time Shay was brought in Joe wasn't surprised it happened , he wasnt mega disappointed as at least he got first team football. But as the year has gone on and he has established himself really well not only as a prem keeper but as England's number 1(?) he is understandably twitchy about his future in the short term. I really think another loan year is a bad deal as it is inevitable he will lose some more loyalty to City. Playing at another club and working/mixing with another squad of players makes that happen.

Make the tough decision City you know it makes sense :)

[john@staustell]

Personally I think it was the height of insanity having 2 class keepers and letting one go for the season without any recall. The Given injury could've happened anytime and I would have preferred not to rely on Taylor.

So someone sits on the bench. Tough.

If we want to win the league and be a top, top club we need at least 2 class keepers.

Dont think Mancini will make the same mistake.

[BmoreBlue]

[Nick]

[Nick]

[DoomMerchant]

[JonnyAsh]

I assume Joe will start next season, and if that's the case he will be in the driving seat. To my mind, he should stay our number one, as it would be a real kick in the teeth should he then be dropped when Shay is fit, and that may be the straw that breaks the camels back. he would be off then no question
I think if he starts the season, and starts well, he could have a long stint as number one. It's funny how these things work out, but I wouldn't be suprised somewhere down the line, if it was Shay that decided to move on if he couldn't get back in the team.

[btajim]

Joe Hart can be the future of City Goalkeeping and Shay Given can't be. If Joe really does want to buckle at the first sign of a challenge to his Number 1 Jersey then I worry for his lack of ambition. Who'd want to play for Birmingham City instead of Manchester City? It seems like he almost has a lack of belief in his own ability.

MCFC are going places, Joe. Come with.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

[Mike J]

[brite blu sky]

unlike some responses i'm not reading too much into Joe's response to that last question about City.. he was clearly getting a bit bored by the questioner. and you could see when asked about Brum he was starting to get a bit uncomfy already. My take is that he is 110% trying to completely focus on England and the opportunity in front of him to get a shot at it. I can dig that as we are talking about a WC here and he is in with a shout and even as a back up if he is needed he has to be totally ready.. so in that sense anything that puts other themes in his head he is going to give short shrift to.
He has been away from City and at the back of his mind worried about what may or may not be going on there.. but it is just something he will not want to be thinking about at all..

[ant london]

[avoidconfusion]

All I know is that this guy is driving me nuts!

[Wooders]

We're going to struggle to keep hold of him, they'll be lining up after the season he has had and if he has a decent world cup and the likes of Arsenal come knocking, he'll be agitating for a move, even if he gets guarentees of a starting spot next season