Jeepers keeper: Man City's Joe Hart is glove sick

JOE HART’S fall from grace has been both swift and spectacular.

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By Jeremy Cross/Published 29th October 2013

Once seen as the best goalkeeper in England, Joe Hart's stock has well and truly plummeted [STUART ROBINSON]

Just over two years ago Hart was regarded as one of the world’s best ­goalkeepers, alongside Manuel ­Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon.

But somewhere along the road to expected greatness Hart took his eye off the ball.

He became England’s undisputed No.1, guaranteed his place for club and country because there was no-one good enough to challenge him.

His new status brought him fame and a multi-million pound deal at Manchester City. But mistakes ­started creeping into his game, as rumours surfaced that his off-field attitude wasn’t what it should be.

Etihad Stadium insiders insist Hart is a likeable man who does ­tireless work for charities.

But there were stories of him ­falling out with then boss Roberto Mancini, pictures of him on a night out in London waving a wad of cash at photographers – and those TV adverts for shampoo.

Now, it seems, his world is not so perfect after the latest in a ­growing list of high-profile blunders.

Joe Hart made a hash of James Morrison's long-range effort in the England Scotland match [REUTERS/STEFAN WERMUTH]

“Pellegrini fears Hart has become a liability, and refused to back him ­after the Chelsea game”

Starsport understands that Hart was ­reluctant to take the blame for the defensive error that gifted Chelsea such a vital win on Sunday.

One well-placed source said Hart claimed he shouted for the ball ­before the mix-up with team-mate Matija Nastasic that allowed ­Fernando Torres his late winner.

But Hart needs to take a long look at himself, because blaming others won’t help him avoid the axe.
His latest horror show has placed him firmly in the spotlight once again and cost Manuel Pellegrini’s men three vital points.

It was the latest in a series of high-profile mistakes from Hart – nine in 2013 alone – and now ­Pellegrini has lost patience.
He would have picked ­understudy Costel Pantilimon ­anyway for ­tomorrow’s Capital One Cup clash at Newcastle.

But now Pantilimon knows a good display will see him stay in the first team at Hart’s expense.
It could get worse. England boss Roy Hodgson is considering Celtic’s Fraser Forster for next month’s Wembley friendly with Chile.

The Man City keeper had a shocker in the 3-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich [ACTION IMAGES/JASON CAIRNDUFF] 
 

Hart is suffering from a crisis of ­confidence and needs to be taken out of the firing line to work on his game and restore some self-belief.

And the sooner he accepts he isn’t as good as he thinks he is, the better it will be for all concerned.
Pellegrini fears Hart has become a liability, and refused to back him ­after the Chelsea game.
City trail leaders Arsenal by six points and are only two points ahead of bitter rivals Manchester United, who have stuttered under new boss David Moyes.

Pellegrini knows Hart is costing his side vital ground in the title race and is willing to give Pantilimon a run in the team, and he may also make a move for Spain and Real ­Madrid star Iker Casillas in the next ­transfer window.

Hart needs to raise his game. Brazil 2014 is on the horizon and his role there will be crucial to England’s chances of success.

Mancini has admitted that he would have sold Hart had he not been sacked as City boss in the ­summer.
It seemed an extreme thing to say at the time.
But on current evidence maybe not that crazy to contemplate after all.