Boy, that sure was quick. It took me fully six days to do a complete reversal on Joe Hart. Actually it was one game in particular that did it, the recent 7 - 0 whitewash against Norwich in the English Premier League. More specifically it was seeing Pantilimon, City's second choice keeper, that did it.
City's second choice keeper Costel Pantilimon (age 26).Not that Pantilimon is a bad keeper, but he is a second choice keeper for a reason. He did well in that game and kept a clean sheet, but he wasn't perfect and he wasn't that well assured in my opinion. Although with time he may gain the much-touted "match fitness" and that allure of confidence.
For example, there was one corner where he should have come out and punched it away. Negredo tried to head it, but made a mess of it, and it went out for another corner against City.
Pantilimon is a good keeper...but maybe not great. Which is why Joe Hart must get back into form quickly. He is still one of the best keepers in the world when he is in good form, and he is still a valuable member of the City squad.
Actually Hart is probably not that far off the pace -- now that
really is a complete reversal of my view on Hart from a few days ago.
Yes, I'm over my hissy fit now, where I said Joe
Hart should never play for Man City again because of his recent poor form and
mistakes. I admit it: I overreacted.
Joe Hart benched for the Premier League game against Norwich, 2 Nov 2013.
And yet lingering doubts over Hart still remain. Everyone makes mistakes, it's true. But
goalkeepers must be judged over time and Hart has made mistakes consistently
over the past couple of years or so.
Some say Hart is too big for his boots. Maybe he is, and maybe he needs time to find his form by getting back to basics. And maybe that should involve him going to a lower league for a time.
Or, on the other hand, maybe Pellegrini will select him as keeper in a matter of weeks. Surely, though, it wouldn't be a matter of days. Pantilimon deserves at least another couple of EPL games before a change back to Hart is considered.
And then again, perhaps my initial instinct was right: Hart stinks and should never come back for City unless Pantilimon is injured. That can't be right though, as Hart was excellent for at least some of his career; he was chosen as England keeper after all -- not everyone can do that.
Some say Hart is too big for his boots. Maybe he is, and maybe he needs time to find his form by getting back to basics. And maybe that should involve him going to a lower league for a time.
Or, on the other hand, maybe Pellegrini will select him as keeper in a matter of weeks. Surely, though, it wouldn't be a matter of days. Pantilimon deserves at least another couple of EPL games before a change back to Hart is considered.
And then again, perhaps my initial instinct was right: Hart stinks and should never come back for City unless Pantilimon is injured. That can't be right though, as Hart was excellent for at least some of his career; he was chosen as England keeper after all -- not everyone can do that.
So, while I do want Joe Hart to regain form soon, as
Manchester City need him, it also occurs to me that Manchester City should be
looking for a new keeper at the end of the season, if not earlier, at this coming summer
transfer window.
Manchester City is a big club these days and deserves the best players in every position. A manager shouldn't have to be in doubt about whether to field someone for a given position, particularly not in a team like Manchester City.
Manchester City is a big club these days and deserves the best players in every position. A manager shouldn't have to be in doubt about whether to field someone for a given position, particularly not in a team like Manchester City.
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