Word for Joe Hart

[CrosspoolClarets]

The last comparable season was 2015/16 for Hart and 2016/17 for Heaton (thanks TallPaul - clarified)

https://www.premierleague.com/players/2 ... co=1&se=54
https://www.premierleague.com/players/3 ... co=1&se=42

Hart clearly punches more, but also takes more high claims, contrary to much opinion. Generally though, there isn’t a lot between them in the stats, which reflects similarly to real life in my eyes anyway,

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Hart had an excellent game today. The 1st goal Bardsley actually doesn't close his man down and turns his back, the ball in from Sanchez has curve and takes Tarkowski out of play and catches Mee flat footed and ball watching. It's one of those balls that the commentators usually say " The keepers hate". And as for the second goal which someone attributes further up as a fault of Harts is frankly laughable, what's he supposed to do?

His distribution is streets ahead of either Heaton or Pope as well

[Vegas Claret]

our problems aren't in defence, they are at the other end - we cannot hold the ball up with Wood up front so it's gonna keep on coming back and we don't have Defour protecting the back for. You could play all 3 in goal at the same time and it's not gonna make a scrap of difference

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Not sure he did owt wrong today.

Yes, he could do better at commanding his area but his saves were top class, especially the two one on ones with Lukaku.

The reason our defence is currently awful is that our two amazing centre halves are playing a bit below themselves (in Tarks case) and like someone who desperately out of form (in Mees case)

I agree with most of that, but also our holding two midfielders are an issue too. Too many times this season the Westwood/Cork combination are left trailing in the wake as a counter attack develops and are left chasing play back towards our goal giving the attackers free run on our defence. It happened multiple times against Watford, Multiple times against Fulham and multiple times today..

[aggi]

Agree re the first goal. Any ball into the 6 yard box within the confines of the posts is keeper's territory.

Apart from that, virtually faultless.

I did wonder that at the time. Watching the replay on MOTD though it looks far enough out of the 6 yard box that you wouldn't necessarily expect the keeper to come for it.

[Tall Paul]

The last comparable season was 2015/16.

https://www.premierleague.com/players/2 ... co=1&se=54
https://www.premierleague.com/players/3 ... co=1&se=42

Hart clearly punches more, but also takes more high claims, contrary to much opinion. Generally though, there isn’t a lot between them in the stats, which reflects similarly to real life in my eyes anyway,

We were in the Championship in 15/16

[CrosspoolClarets]

I agree with most of that, but also our holding two midfielders are an issue too. Too many times this season the Westwood/Cork combination are left trailing in the wake as a counter attack develops and are left chasing play back towards our goal giving the attackers free run on our defence. It happened multiple times against Watford, Multiple times against Fulham and multiple times today..

Totally agree. Westwood is busy, but limited. That’s nothing we didn’t know when we signed him. He would be excellent in the Championship, but is only a stand-in at this level. The movement, especially in transition, often outfoxes him. As fans we have to be careful not to love him for his endless running but not see his limitations. Jack is better but also not as good as Defour.

Golden rule - look at the win% when certain players play. Since Defour was out we have only had that one burst of wins that got us 7th, other than that, very little.

[cricketfieldclarets]

He should be catching those punch gave possession straight back to them which then led to the penalty.

The penalty he didnt give away. The penalty he then saved.

We would half our problems by leaving someone on half way when we defend. Its infuriatingly negative!

[bumba]

The penalty he didnt give away. The penalty he then saved.

We would half our problems by leaving someone on half way when we defend. Its infuriatingly negative!

I'd leave someone like Lennon up for his pace becuse he isn't likely to win a defensive header an cannot defend properly as shown with the penalty.

It'd give us an option

[MRG]

The passion he showed today was brilliant

[cricketfieldclarets]

I'd leave someone like Lennon up for his pace becuse he isn't likely to win a defensive header an cannot defend properly as shown with the penalty.

It'd give us an option

Absolutely. No idea why we have Lennon back on corners or at all tbh. Leave him on half way.

[bumba]

Were too predictable now it's our third season and everything is set up the same as the first game regarding set pieces etc. Teams can decide what to do before games why not leave 1 or 2 up in a game it'd shock the opposition an confuse them cos there expected 11 men back they'd have to try an organise before taking the corner or risk being exposed

[Rick_Muller]

Absolutely. No idea why we have Lennon back on corners or at all tbh. Leave him on half way.

In his current form he’d be passed the ball and go one on one with their keeper after leaving their defence for dead and then stop to look up who to pass it to instead of taking a shot.

Edit - tongue firmly in cheek of course, just in case someone thought I was having a go at him.

[deanothedino]

Good game but can,t help think Pope in particular, Tom too, would have come for the first. I can’t remember Hart particularly being renowned for dominating has 6 yard box..... and defensively we’ve become used to keepers doing just that

Heaton doesn't come for many crosses. Pope is a rare example of a modern keeper who does.

The way I see it. Pope is a good shot stopper and comes for crosses but doesn't kick very well.

Heaton is a good shot stopper, commands his area well, but doesn't come for many crosses, and kicks reasonably well.

Hart is a good shot stopper, doesn't come for anything, but does communicate well, best of the three with his feet.

Not much between the three really when they're all at the top of their game.

[cricketfieldclarets]

In his current form he’d be passed the ball and go one on one with their keeper after leaving their defence for dead and then stop to look up who to pass it to instead of taking a shot.

Edit - tongue firmly in cheek of course, just in case someone thought I was having a go at him.

Although tongue in cheek you do have a point. The problem is (like with the full backs) players like Lennons first job is to be narrow and defend.

[Turftalkers mentor]

Tom Heaton talks to the back four all the way through the match and should be No1 without doubt

[cricketfieldclarets]

Tom Heaton talks to the back four all the way through the match and should be No1 without doubt

So does Hart. He was on the half way line at one point giving instructions.

[Bordeauxclaret]

I suppose it depends on the instructions being given out rather than how loudly you shout them.

[TVC15]

Heaton doesn't come for many crosses. Pope is a rare example of a modern keeper who does.

The way I see it. Pope is a good shot stopper and comes for crosses but doesn't kick very well.

Heaton is a good shot stopper, commands his area well, but doesn't come for many crosses, and kicks reasonably well.

Hart is a good shot stopper, doesn't come for anything, but does communicate well, best of the three with his feet.

Not much between the three really when they're all at the top of their game.

Tom’s distribution against Olympiakos was excellent. I think his kicking is at least as good as Hart’s. But Hart has the shirt right now and has played well enough to keep it.

We are definitely missing Pope. His kicking is not as poor as some make out - he’s never given away a goal and clears his lines well. He just not that accurate. Where we are massively missing him is the way he comes for crosses. I think Pope and Courtois were easily the best keepers last year in commanding their areas. Most (if not all) the other keepers punch the ball rather than catch it like these 2 keepers - and often that gives possession back to the other team. Last season Nick Pope came out and collected the ball safely so many times in the last few minutes of a game when we were hanging on and teams were going more direct.

It has to be a contributing factor to our defensive record this year so far.

[davemanu2000]

Absolutely a top goal keeper . He can play for England .

[gawthorpe_view]

Pogba practices penalty run ups.

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