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What a surprise. Who wouldn't be?

Poor article stating Heaton went to 2016 Euro as 3rd choice keeper!!

To be perfectly honest Southgate has known who his 3 goalkeepers will be.
So do we, and unfortunately neither Tom or Nick would be chosen if the first 3 are fit.

Tom's world cup chance had gone when he got injured. If he'd got back at the start of the year, and had got back in the team he'd have chance to get in the squad. But, we had Nick Pope in the middle of our goal and there's been no chance for Tom to win back the shirt.

Let's see what next season brings and the Euros 2 in 2020.

As crap as the article is, Heaton is still our best goalkeeper.

Strange there wasn't one quote from Tom there regarding his 'frustration'
Unless my eyes have failed me yet again.

Didn't look frustrated tonight at the Player of the Year Awards.

I`d be disappointed and quite frankly amazed if he wasn`t, to be honest. Talk about a pathetically typical non-story from a `journalist`.

Claretpants wrote:Poor article stating Heaton went to 2016 Euro as 3rd choice keeper!!

He did, didn't he?

Yeah, pretty poor article with not a quote in sight. It would have been more interesting if the article had stated Tom is delighted at his lack of opportunities and the chance to chill out a bit. At least give us something we don't know!

Claretpants wrote:Poor article stating Heaton went to 2016 Euro as 3rd choice keeper!!

He did and he was.

Yep and the fact that some people probably don't remember or think of Heaton being part of that squad shows how much worth a 3rd keeper is in a tournament where you will probably only play 4 or 5 matches.

In reality being 3rd choice keeper you are just part of the keeper team to help the other two train and for them to have someone else to talk to and work with outside the coaching and management team. This is why once Pope isn't considered first or second choice keepers it makes sense that Southgate see's Hart with his character and standing around the squad as the better person to be 3rd choice and offer more to Southgate as part of his goalkeeper team

Devils_Advocate wrote:Yep and the fact that some people probably don't remember or think of Heaton being part of that squad shows how much worth a 3rd keeper is in a tournament where you will probably only play 4 or 5 matches.

In reality being 3rd choice keeper you are just part of the keeper team to help the other two train and for them to have someone else to talk to and work with outside the coaching and management team. This is why once Pope isn't considered first or second choice keepers it makes sense that Southgate see's Hart with his character and standing around the squad as the better person to be 3rd choice and offer more to Southgate as part of his goalkeeper team

Shite flows from your keyboard like a Donkeys arse.

Devils_Advocate wrote:Yep and the fact that some people probably don't remember or think of Heaton being part of that squad shows how much worth a 3rd keeper is in a tournament where you will probably only play 4 or 5 matches.

In reality being 3rd choice keeper you are just part of the keeper team to help the other two train and for them to have someone else to talk to and work with outside the coaching and management team. This is why once Pope isn't considered first or second choice keepers it makes sense that Southgate see's Hart with his character and standing around the squad as the better person to be 3rd choice and offer more to Southgate as part of his goalkeeper team

If thats the case, and I dont think it is tbh, then by all means take Hart as a cheerleader with the squad but dont let him near actually getting on the pitch as a player

I honestly think Tom will start in goal for our first PL game of next season. Two of his qualities that are head and shoulders above Nicks are his kicking and distribution from the back so we keep possession, plus his leadership exemplified by his commanding voice keeping the back four aware of any danger etc. Nick has done brilliantly (I voted for him) but I do feel Tom gets the nod at the start of next season.

Devils_Advocate wrote: ...once Pope isn't considered first or second choice keepers it makes sense that Southgate see's Hart with his character and standing around the squad as the better person to be 3rd choice and offer more to Southgate as part of his goalkeeper team

Hart is not even playing for a crap WHU team. I think there is a possibility that Southgate nodded to Moyse that he could choose Adrian as Hart would not play in WC. As to Hart's character and standing, I suspect the team see him as a 'shot' liability. Hardly likely to inspire.

If he is wanted in any form, he could just be part of a backroom team. He should not be part of anyone's active squad!

Title edited on amendment!

I think they will alternate between league and cup games.

boatshed bill wrote:To be perfectly honest Southgate has known who his 3 goalkeepers will be.
So do we, and unfortunately neither Tom or Nick would be chosen if the first 3 are fit.

Tom would have been in I’m certain but for this injury

Rick_Muller wrote:If thats the case, and I dont think it is tbh, then by all means take Hart as a cheerleader with the squad but dont let him near actually getting on the pitch as a player

As third choice keeper he wont be anywhere near getting on the pitch as a player. I'm sure West Ham and Hart don't want him to go as a "cheerleader" but if Southgate picks him it is obviously because he see's some value in having his part of the squad and he knows a damn lot more about international football tournaments and about Hart and Pope's character and ability than either of us do or anyone else on here

IanMcL wrote:Hart is not even playing for a crap WHU team. I think there is a possibility that Southgate nodded to Moyse that he could choose Adrian as Hart would not play in WC. As to Hart's character and standing, I suspect the team see him as a 'shot' liability. Hardly likely to inspire.

If he is wanted in any form, he could just be part of a backroom team. He should not be part of anyone's active squad!

Title edited on amendment!

There is a massive difference in being part of a backroom team and part of the lads/squad. As for how the team view him I think Southgate has a much better grasp of that than you and me have.

ClaretTony wrote:Tom would have been in I’m certain but for this injury

I'd like to think so.
but I think we all accept which 3 are going now.

The question is next season who do you have as number 1 goalkeeper between Heaton and Pope?

Very few clubs have two 1st XI keepers, Heaton England capped and Pope tipped for one. It's a luxury I don't think we can afford, one of the two will not be happy to sit on the bench.

I'd hate to see him go but I'd cash in on Heaton who has proven experience and a record at this level which other clubs will like.

I'd be frustrated, too. He's Burnley through and through. But what are you going to do? Pope's the better option.

ontario claret wrote:I'd be frustrated, too. He's Burnley through and through. But what are you going to do? Pope's the better option.

In your opinion.

Well, this IS an opinion site.

Your posts all read as facts.

Pope will eventually be the top keeper. If we sold Heaton, I suspect 1 more and Pope would be snatched. If we keep Heaton, I would hope he would remain until the end of his career. That's the dilemma.

Claret&blue123 wrote:The question is next season who do you have as number 1 goalkeeper between Heaton and Pope?

I`d put money on it being Heaton with us selling Pope (unfortunately), conceivably to a team like Arsenal (Cech needs replacing soon) or easily to clubs like West Ham, Palace, Newcastle or even Wolves, for a figure around the 25 million mark. One hell of a tough choice. I just can`t see either of `em being happy to be No.2.

You're going to argue about the choice of the player of the year, too, I suppose.

If he takes Hart to the World Cup it's ridiculous.

On the bench again last night and likely to finish the season there.

Not really news is it? You'd hardly expect Heaton to be jumping for joy after losing his place and his replacement being player of the season!