Alex McLeish has gamely come out to offer his chances to the press about landing Joe Hart for another year. He said: "City are not going to make any decisions regarding Joe until the summer. They have confirmed that to us now. We would like to sign Joe for another season. The keeping role is massively important and that's why I'd like to get City's nod of approval."
He goes on to say that Joe has saved them "10 to 12 points this season" and that he should be a certain for the World Cup. If City were to insist Joe stays next season, would he want to spend a season as second fiddle to Shay Given.
The second goalkeeping position is a hard squad position to fill. As the second goalkeeper cannot be guaranteed games, and in actual fact the manager would prefer it if you weren't called upon, and as it is a specialised position, opportunities are very limited. Almost all the clubs in the Premier League suffer from this - Arsenal have notorious problems, but even Stojkovic for Wigan on Monday proved it - and when the second keeper is finally called upon, he will be so short on match practice that he only has instinct and inspiration to help him.
There can only be two types of players up for the role: one, that thinks he is strong enough to challenge and displace the current number one, and two, one who wouldn't get first team football elsewhere and is happy to be involved, but not playing, at the top level. For City, Hart would probably fall into the first category, whilst Stuart Taylor has spent most of his career in the second.
From his comments at the start of the season, Hart wants to return to City at some point, but he also wants to play first-team football. This could turn into a stand-off if City decide Hart would offer a lot stronger back-up than Taylor, which he undoubtedly would, given the increased amount of competition City could face next season.
Hart could definitely be a star of the future, but he will need the game time Birmingham can guarantee to continue to improve - thus keeping him happy and ensuring City get back a young goalkeeper with a wealth of Premiership experience.
Saying that, I am sure there are lots of City fans who would have him between the posts right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment