Following Manchester City’s recent 3-2 defeat to newly-promoted side Cardiff, City goalkeeper Joe Hart has been under the spotlight for yet another poor performance.
The England number one was at fault for the winning goal which Cardiff striker Frazier Richardson had scored – heading home from a corner after Hart appeared to mis-time his punch.
Most recently, he was guilty of another high-profile error, after Scotland midfielder James Morrison scored from long-range against England. The shot should have been comfortably saved as it was central, but Hart failed to get his body behind the ball and couldn’t prevent it from going in.
Following the Cardiff defeat, former Manchester City first-team coach David Platt was reported to have said the side were in the market for Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic at the end of last season – subsequently dropping Joe Hart in the process.
Last season, the 26-year old was found wanting at times for the Citizens. He won the Golden Glove award for most clean sheets, but his performances were of a significantly low standard by comparison to his title-wining campaign of 2011/12.
Many feel Joe Hart has peaked, and is now suffering from high expectations placed on him. Now the Englishman has won a Premier League title, and has sealed his spot for England, he knows he potentially has more than 10 years where he will be expected to maintain both number one jerseys for club and country – while leading Man City to continual domestic success.
It’s a lot to take in, and he won’t be enjoying the media scrutiny either. Questions are now being asked if Manchester City & England should consider giving Hart a rest from club and country duty to take the pressure off, or if City should make moves in the transfer market to sign a replacement goalkeeper before the summer transfer window shuts.
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