Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has endured a torrid time at the Etihad stadium recently, and losing his place in club's starting line up has added insult to injury for a player hoping to be England's number one at the World Cup next Summer.
Hart has been an unused substitute for Eight of City's last ten games, but Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish believe's the €17m-rated stopper will come back from his enforced absence in a positive manner. He told The Mirror:
"Joe Hart could return for City [against Arsenal this weekend] and if he does I think he will come back a better goalkeeper. Hart has already shown he is a top-class keeper and the mistakes he’s made will make him stronger"
In my view, Hart - like any English player who show's the slightest talent - is massively overrated, and after being built up to a ridiculous degree by the media and City's fans, and soaking up the ego-massaging praise, he's now being found-out.
Liverpool players are part of the hype machine, and inevitably, Steven Gerrard is one of the culprits when it comes to grossly overpraising Hart. In an interview last season, the Reds captain built up Hart into some kind of goalkeeping messiah. He enthused:
"You should have seen Joe Hart in training. He just makes world class saves, jumps back to his feet and prepares for the next shot like nothing has happened. The rest of us are just looking at him, like what the hell was that? But it’s just normal to him. Amazing".
Hmmm. I was always under the impression that a goalkeeper's job was to make saves, then jump back up and prepare for the next shot, but what do I know? On-loan Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has also revealed his admiration for Hart. Last season, he enthused:
"He [Joe Hart] is one of the best - if not the best - at the moment. He's had a great last two seasons or so and last season he was man of the match at Anfield and saved them".
Liverpool's own goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, is having a good season so far, and with 55 saves already this campaign - the third highest in the league - his performances have arguably won the reds at least ten points already. Who is the better goalkeeper, though: Hart or Mignolet?
The Reds' crunch clash with Man City is approaching fast, and if both Hart and Mignolet play, perhaps we'll receive an answer to that question.
I personally hope that Hart is on goal for City on December 26th...
Author: Jaimie K
Hart has been an unused substitute for Eight of City's last ten games, but Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish believe's the €17m-rated stopper will come back from his enforced absence in a positive manner. He told The Mirror:
"Joe Hart could return for City [against Arsenal this weekend] and if he does I think he will come back a better goalkeeper. Hart has already shown he is a top-class keeper and the mistakes he’s made will make him stronger"
In my view, Hart - like any English player who show's the slightest talent - is massively overrated, and after being built up to a ridiculous degree by the media and City's fans, and soaking up the ego-massaging praise, he's now being found-out.
Liverpool players are part of the hype machine, and inevitably, Steven Gerrard is one of the culprits when it comes to grossly overpraising Hart. In an interview last season, the Reds captain built up Hart into some kind of goalkeeping messiah. He enthused:
"You should have seen Joe Hart in training. He just makes world class saves, jumps back to his feet and prepares for the next shot like nothing has happened. The rest of us are just looking at him, like what the hell was that? But it’s just normal to him. Amazing".
Hmmm. I was always under the impression that a goalkeeper's job was to make saves, then jump back up and prepare for the next shot, but what do I know? On-loan Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has also revealed his admiration for Hart. Last season, he enthused:
"He [Joe Hart] is one of the best - if not the best - at the moment. He's had a great last two seasons or so and last season he was man of the match at Anfield and saved them".
Liverpool's own goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, is having a good season so far, and with 55 saves already this campaign - the third highest in the league - his performances have arguably won the reds at least ten points already. Who is the better goalkeeper, though: Hart or Mignolet?
The Reds' crunch clash with Man City is approaching fast, and if both Hart and Mignolet play, perhaps we'll receive an answer to that question.
I personally hope that Hart is on goal for City on December 26th...
Author: Jaimie K
Every single English player is overrated but only few deserve it. Joe Hart is one of them who deserves it. He is having a torrid time right now but that's not only his fault, Man City's defense always looked vulnerable without Kompany. Hopefully, Joe Hart will bounce back, he was best in the world just a year ago. Amazing talent.
ReplyDeleteSquad player at best, need a more creative player.
ReplyDeleteWhat an idiot Hendo will him wrong
ReplyDeleteI meant "but only few deserve to be rated highly"
ReplyDeleteDear Fellow Liverpool fans, for me hendo have been good for us this season. he was all over the pitch. he already create 26 chances this season. plus he also doing a good defensive job when needed. he works hard on the pitch and he played his heart out for Liverpool. He is a good player with a great attitude. He will keep improve over the season. Remember, last season aaron ramsey just a crap but wenger and arsenal fans give him chace to improve. lets hope hendo response just like ramsey did to arsenal.
ReplyDeleteHendo is getting better little by little all the time. We have to give him time because he is not wasting it, but he is fighting to climb higher. Ramsey is a midfielder that has gain our respect and maybe envy this year, but he is player of Arsenal since 2008 and his career was a difficult one. Hendo is a Liverpool player since 2011. Football players needs time and the exceptions about that are very rare.
ReplyDeleteCritical realism about lfc? More like man city!
ReplyDeleteThis is the time for Henderson and Allen to prove themselves in Gerrard's absence - they'll be playing in their preferred position in central midfield, and won't be in Gerrard's shadows so there's no excuses.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for both to step up and prove themselves worthy of their massive transfer fees.
tbf Ramsey had shown the talent to be a dominant central midfielder before he got injured.
ReplyDeleteGerrard has been killing it from set-pieces, but his general open field play hasn't been too impressive imo...
ReplyDeletewow, just read through the comments here and they're a lot more harsh than I'd expected!
ReplyDeleteHenderson can easily be our version of Chelsea's Ramires - not the most talented or physically dominant midfielder, but energy really can make a difference on the pitch. I fully expect Henderson to come good - it's his lack of aggression defensively that I'm more concerned about than his lack of goals/assists tbh
I think Henderson has not contributed anything to Liverpool's team effort. I have said this since the first day he was signed. I cannot understand why he is ever selected. I agree whole heartedly with Lawro's comments. For somebody to comment that we are second n the league with Henderson selected for each game is a very blinkered comment. Imagine if we had a really top class player in that position. We may be over the hill and far away!!! I will be happy when he is gone the same way as the other total misfits that were purchased by Daglish and others.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you on that. The tenacity, the energy, the runs, the aggresiveness are all lacking in midfield. Somehow I feel that Henderson is there to provide that for Gerrard. In a way it's like having 2 players doing the job Gerrard used to do in his earlier days.
ReplyDeleteHart must doing ok right now because City is putting Arsenal to the sword at the moment. Hoping Arsenal pulls out a draw to keep City at bay for one more week. Tomorrow is a must win for us.
ReplyDeletedamm I thought this game was on tomorrow sounds like a classic match
ReplyDeleteHart didn't play. Good game, Arsenal had bunch of unlucky calls, scoreline probably would have been closer had it gone their way.
ReplyDeleteThat city trip is looking all the more ominous - if we can lose by a goal difference of 3 or less - it would seem a job well done.
Mignolet hasn't been the reason behind any lost points - same can't be said for Hart or Reina.
ReplyDeleteAs for sitting Hart out, and him coming back the better player - same should be done for Henderson.
If you can believe a man who thinks a donkey is a thoroughbred, then you can believe anything he says.
ReplyDeleteLawro a failed manager so must be right!!
ReplyDeleteIts a team game and the best players dont always make the best teams
ReplyDeleteCoutinho is as important to our team as Gerrard and almost as much as suarez
ReplyDeleteGreat post,worth bearing in mind in many different instances of hype eg. the ''two great British midfielders '' Ramsey and Wiltshire hardly got a look- in today against a world-class midfield/attack.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry people. Time will tell, when he don't achieve anything in his career. It is soo silly to hear people that Hendo contribute to Liverpool victories.
ReplyDeleteIn the history of playing and watching football, it is the first time I heard someone is in the team for pressing only. All this time I use to think that talent and skills is important.
ReplyDeletePeople undoubtedly jumped the gun on Hart's ascension to the pantheon of the world's greatest keeper, but I think he could legitimately claim to be one of the best (and perhaps the very best) keeper in the world the season City won the title. He was genuinely brilliant that season. I can't help but feel that the problems he's having now and has had since that great season are due to him losing focus. Keane called it well before his slump was properly underway when he was making small errors and nearly making bigger mistakes.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with Lawro, been saying the same thing myself. It is hard to criticise him due to the effort he puts in but he doesn't bring enough attacking threat. I actually would have kept Shelvey over Henderson to be honest. At least he has real drive and determination to make things happen on the pitch. Can't say the same for Henderson.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is Allen(24), Henderson(23) and Lucas(26) are all average centre midfielders. The problem with our centre midfield is Captain Fantastic S Gerrard (33) is coming to the end of the road, he no longer has the legs, mobility or pace he was blessed with for 15 years. And Lucas(26) has never been mobile or had pace, yet the are alot of premiership's midfielders today that are younger, fluid, mobile, abit of pace, always on the move, press well, with good energy levels.
ReplyDeleteAnd Allen(24) and Henderson(23) both are mobile and have a bit of pace about them, both pass well backwards or side ways, both are very cautious, both are safe players, both press well, both buckle under pressure in front of oppositions goal, both lack class, creavity and goals from the centre of park.
So in essence we have three midfielders doing exactly the same thing, but not doing it well as we are still being exposed through centre of park away from home and conceding goals for fun.
Whereas in a three man midfield there are roles:
There should be a mobile enforcer who protects back 4 well and passes well, rarely loses ball but reads danger well and is always on the move. ( J Martinez, Gustavo, Fernandino, Gattuso,Mascherano, Essien, G Barry, Flamini type player
There should be a midfield who dictates play from centre of park, but is mobile and gets stuck in and starts attacks but can get on the end of attacks. And regularly creates chances and scores goals from centre of park. Box to box midfielder ( Alacantra, Fabregas, Modric, Koke, Cabaye, Yaya Toure type player)
There should be player that is the link between midfield and attack, the player who plays between the lines, this players main duties is to create and attack. And to score goals from an advanced position in midfield
( Barkley, Cazorla,Iniesta,Isco, Oscar, Ozil, Mata, Munian type player)
Allen, Henderson and Lucas all fit into the first category to a certain extent.
S Gerrard(33) has the class, creativity and quality still but due to his age and the solid tough service he has given the club over the years(15 years). He no longer has the legs, mobility or pace to do the box to box or the AM role to what he used to 3-5 years ago.
So the owners need to give B Rodgers 60-65M in January to bring 6 players to change whole dimension of squad and to successfully maintain top 4 pursuit and outside chance of winning the premiership. something our club has never done won the Premiership. The last time we won the league was in 1989-1990 season and it was the first division.
Rodgers needs to bring in these three centre midfielders for combined total of 35M
1: DM: M'Vila(23) Of Rubin Kazan for 10-14M to compete, cover and to put lucas on the bench.
2: CM: Y Cabaye(27) Of Newcastle for 14-18M to compete, cover and to put Allen on the bench.
3: CM: M Diame(26) Of West Ham for 3-5M to compete, cover and to put Henderson on the bench.
And three attacking players for combined total of 30M
4: RW / RWF: M Salah(21) Of Basel for 11-15M to compete and Cover Sterling
5: LW / LWF: D Capel(25) Of Sporting Clube De Portugal / Lisbon for 4-6M to compete and cover IBE, so we can send Moses(22) back to chelsea in January.
6 FD: L Remy(26) Of QPR ( On loan at Newcastle) for 6-10M to compete and cover Sturridge
These 6 players would change whole dimension of squad and these players along with what we have could bring the club our first league title in over 23 years. 60-70M in January spent on these 6 players could bring club success with league title we have not had for over 23 years.
You must feel pretty stupid right now. Absolutely fantastic performance!!
ReplyDeleteA lot of humble pie served up to Lawro, JK and the rest of the Hendo doubters, last night!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Hendo doubter in the slightest. I was never on the 'Henderson is not good enough' bandwagon, and the main criticism I've had of him in the past (and now) is that he doesn't score/create enough goals.
ReplyDeleteThat criticism still stands, irrespective of his performance against Spurs. That is one game. Henderson has 1 goal in 16 games this season. That's not good enough. Just because he has one great in 16 doesn't mean he's now a legend.
Lawro is the one who said he brings 'nothing' to the team, not me. Henderson still needs score/create goals more consistently.
@tartan360 LOVE IT WHEN I HAVE TO LAST LAUGH IM HOPING THAT MY BOY HENDO STEPPED IT UP ENOUGH TO WARRANT A PLACE ON THE SQUAD. DONT BE SUCH A LIL PUNK AND LOOK AT THE POSITIVE IN THE PLAYERS, BUT I AM SURE YOU NEVER EVEN BALLED IN YOUR LIFE AND JUST WARMED UP PINE ALL YEAR LONG. LFC YNWA TIA.
ReplyDeleteHOW YOU LIKE THEM APPLES GLEN. BE A TRUE FAN AND SUPPORT OUR TEAM THRU GOOD AND BAD AND IF YOUR ASS CANT GET INTO THE LFC SQUAD AND DO BETTER THAN HENDO THAN SHUT YOUR LIL MOUTH UP. YNWA TIA LFC.
ReplyDelete