nottsblue wrote:Very interesting thread with the different viewpoints.
I myself happen to be a fan of Hart. That is, he has been our number one for a while now. He has had some poor games like everyone has but in the main he has had far more good games. His clean sheet ratio is good, especially since we are always told how porous our defence is.
He has many attributes a great goalie needs. Not least shot saving, which I believe him to be right up there with the best of them. He is vocal as well which the defence needs. He has a calmness when under pressure.
However, he is not perfect. His penalty area control could be better. His catching could be better. He has developed a distinct weakness on his left side with low shots. And his distribution is decidedly poor.
None of us knows what goes on in the dressing room or how much influence Joe has with other players and indeed whether that is a good or bad thing. But the things the new manager wants his goalkeeper to do well are now different from previous managers. Unfortunately the things Pep wants his goalkeepers to do are just the things that Joe isn't great at, namely distribution and command of the penalty box, (Pep almost wants his goalkeepers to be sweepers as well). At 29, time is not on Joe's side for him to rectify these deficiencies.
Thus the solution for the manager is to play or sign someone who does possess these skills. It is no different from any other position on the field. You adapt and improve or you don't play. It really is that simple. Joe, if he can't/won't/doesn't adapt and improve will thus be sold. I for one will thank him for all he has done with us and wish him all the best at his next club and I have no doubt he will do very well for whoever that may be.
Plus, players in other positions know they have to perform week in week out as no one is safe any more. Pep has big balls, I'll give him that
Pretty much how I feel.
We've been saying for a while that nobody should be safe and nobody should be an automatic starter. Well we have a manager that is bigger than them all and if he feels that includes the goalkeeper I say, good on you.
I like Hart but at times in his City career he seemed too safe and complacent.
I don't know if he's been given a chance to fight for the position or not. I haven't a clue what goes on in the dressing room. But I trust Pep to sort that team out. Whatever he deems necessary, I'm sure he will do.
I still think we will have a rocky few months, but I know he knows football better than me and I'm going to sit back and enjoy the ride.