England manager Roy Hodgson keeps faith with Joe Hart
Posted Sunday, March 09, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson picked Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart to guard the net against Denmark to give him a big psychological BOOST .
KEEPING THE FAITH: Roy Hodgson has kept faith in Joe Hart
Hodgson played Hart for the full 90 minutes in England’s 1-0 win against the Danes on Wednesday night.
And Hodgy made that decision as a direct result of Hart being left on the bench in City’s Capital One Cup Final victory against Sunderland three days earlier.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini stuck with his policy of playing No. 2 keeper Costel Pantilimon in cup-ties.
That leaves Hart, 26, sweating on is place again today against Wigan in the FA Cup.
But Hodgson has ensured his first-choice keeper had match practice and a psychological lift, even though he could have taken the opportunity to have a look at one or two of his back-up stoppers.
The England boss insisted he is very happy to have Ben Foster, Fraser Forster and John Ruddy in his goalkeeping ranks.
But Hodgson said: “It was important for Joe. He didn’t play at the weekend for City and that was a disappointment for him.
"You get to a League Cup final and you don’t play and I thought it was important that he played for us.
"He wasn’t exactly bombarded but he still made a couple of good saves.
"When you dominate a game there will always be a couple of moments when the other team gets a chance and that’s when you need your keeper to be at his best.
“I don’t know if I would have played Joe, though, if he’d played at Wembley for City – it’s a good question.”
Hart was his usual smiling, polite self when striding from the England dressing room but once again in no mood to be quizzed on past and present performances.
The England keeper is still smarting about criticism levelled at him and is not ready to break his code of silence.
But close pal and former rival for the No.1 shirt at Manchester City, Kasper Schmeichel, defended Hart.
The Danish keeper accused the whole of England of underrating one of the best keepers in the world. Schmeichel believes that Hart is the complete package, a natural leader and insists the country is privileged to have him between the posts.
ENEMIES & PALS: Hart (right) with old buddy Schmeichel
But Schmeichel fully understands that the mud thrown at keepers
comes with the territory of such a high-profile job.
He said: “Do you underestimate him in England? Oh, 100 per cent.
There are three jobs in the world I wouldn’t want – England Prime Minister, England manager and England’s No.1 goalkeeper.
"Bloody hell, the pressure they have to face. Goalkeepers do get it in the neck but that’s apparently part and parcel of being England’s No.1.
"England should be immensely glad and immensely proud of having a keeper of that quality. And I see no reason why people coming out of the World Cup will not be talking about Joe as one of England’s best players.
"He’s the complete package. He’s got everything in the locker. He’s commanding in the air. He’s got size, stature. Good with his feet. Makes good saves.
"He has a presence in the goal which is very important. He’s a leader. A natural leader. I think as a team you are very confident when you have got a goalkeeper of that quality behind you.
"Joe is world class. There are no other words. He’s absolutely top drawer.
There’s been a lot of very, very unfair criticism aimed at him this season.
"But you saw against Denmark at nil-nil he pulls off a great save which was important for the England team at that point.
"That’s the sign of a great goalkeeper. And that’s Joe. You won’t find a stronger, more mentally tough guy than him. He’s unique in that sense.
"England have got one of the best keepers around. We have kept in touch since our City days and we live very close to each other.
Leicester star Schmeichel is certainly not ruling out Hart crowning a roller-coaster season by returning home from Brazil a _winner.
He added: “England have got great players and given the freedom, given
the opportunity, they will perform.
They should be confident and have a good team
"There’s no reason why England shouldn’t have a very good chance."
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