England’s faith in West Ham’s Hart will hold back Everton’s Pickford

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West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart should not even be in the England squad, never mind number one ahead of Everton’s Jordan Pickford.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart reacts during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier against Slovakia.

Joe Hart was once again in the firing line as England went down 1-0 at Wembley Stadium to Slovakia in their World Cup qualifier after just three minutes, as Stanislav Lobotka fired past the West Ham United goalkeeper.

It was a shot hit straight at Hart, but somehow squirmed under the armpit on a left-hand side that is starting to become a major issue for the 30-year-old.

Slovakia’s midfielder Stanislav Lobotka shoots past England’s goalkeeper Joe Hart (R) to score the opening goal.

Maybe other ‘keepers would have been given more reprieve – it was a well struck shot after all – but this is not the first example for a player whose form and reputation has plummeted over the past 12 months.

It comes on the back of a dreadful start to the Premier League season for Hart and his new loan club West Ham in which he has conceded 10 goals in the opening three games; admittedly not helped by a shambolic defence in front of him but a damning statistic nonetheless.

Jack Butland of England performs a drill during a training session on the eve of their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.

There is something to be said for Gareth Southgate supporting his players, but blind faith is nothing but a hindrance for a largely young and hungry group. Wayne Rooney was accused of it towards the end of his international career and Hart is in danger of becoming the same elephant in the room, with everyone seemingly but Southgate wondering how he keeps his place.

It’s not as if there aren’t other options. Jordan Pickford was a breakout star for Sunderland last term and earned a £30m transfer (BBC) to Everton on the back of it. While Pickford was injured for the Three Lions’ latest two outings, one wonders if Hart would not have been picked ahead of him in any case.

Then there is Jack Butland at Stoke City, Tom Heaton at Burnley and Southampton’s Fraser Forster – all in better form and playing for clubs higher up the table than the Hammers.

Hart is no longer a leading light at Manchester City but a fading one at the London Stadium and Southgate needs to ensure his loyalty doesn’t hold back Pickford, Butland et al and the team as a whole.