Source: Daily_Mail
Fabio Capello is missing a trick by overlooking Joe Hart - The Midlander
Fabio Capello hasn't made too many mistakes since walking into Soho Square. [LNB]But I can't help but think he has missed a trick as far as Joe Hart is concerned. [LNB]It was overlooked amid the melee in the final few seconds of Birmingham City's dramatic late draw against Arsenal that the big keeper had, effectively, kept his side in it. [LNB] City slicker: Hart has had a superb season with Birmingham[LNB]A late save from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick and his presence a few seconds later when Samir Nasri charged in from the right, enabled the Blues to rub Arsene Wenger's face in it. [LNB]But those two moments, while crucial to the outcome, did not tell the whole story of the afternoon. [LNB]Here is a keeper right on top of his game. Every area was up to scratch. His handling was good, decision-making excellent, his distribution from hand was soundand his kicking was phenomenal. [LNB]After Birmingham's victory over Derby County in the FA Cup whereHart could reasonably have been partly blamed for the goal, AlexMcLeish was collared by the press and asked his opinion. Not for thefirst time, it has to be said. [LNB]But with the Egypt friendly coming up, there was an evens chance that Hart would be included. [LNB]McLeish's view was such that Capello needed to blood Hart now. Thathe should have played against the Africans and got in as muchexperience as possible. [LNB] National service: Hart with England colleagues Green (centre) and James (right) [LNB]The contrast the former Scotland manager drew was with Scott Carson - how he had struggled when thrown into a game of the magnitude of that match with Croatia in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008.[LNB] Capello resisted and played Robert Green. Now West Ham's keeper is a nice enough bloke but he's playing behind one of the most porous defences in the Premier League. And that has to affect your confidence. [LNB]Yes, Green is a lovely chap. But I don't want nice blokes in goal. I want good keepers. [LNB]David James is still struggling with his calf complaint, Green is short of confidence and Paul Robinson is injured. [LNB]Great store has been placed by England's coach in using players who both playing in the Premier League and who are in form. But not, it seems, if your name is Joe Hart.[LNB]..................................................................................Ha. In your face, Premier League. I think that's how news that West Ham United are trying to sue Fulham for playing a below-strength side against Hull City last week should be greeted. [LNB] More from Neil Moxley... Billy Davies starts Forest fire but the City Ground boss should keep a lid on it... for now25/03/10 THE MIDLANDER: I'm banking on Mick McCarthy guiding Wolves to survival11/03/10 THE MIDLANDER: 'Giants' Villa never won titles - so give O'Neill some credit!05/03/10 THE MIDLANDER: Warnock, phoenix from the Anfield flames, is just Fab25/02/10 THE MIDLANDER: Fans should be given sympathy after Notts County saga but Football League have lessons to learn18/02/10 THE MIDLANDER: Birmingham's owners must do everything in their power to make sure brilliant boss Alex McLeish signs a new contract03/02/10 THE MIDLANDER: All the best Clem, a top bloke in an era of gatekeepers and closed shops06/01/10 THE MIDLANDER: The good, the bad and the ugly: 2009 Midlands' awards23/12/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Hammers bosses David Gold and David Sullivan have shot from the lip - again - letting slip that they intend to take the Cottagers to court after Roy Hodgson exercised his right to use whatever side he wanted to represent his football club. [LNB]Forgive me for flagging this up, but could this just be a tit-for-tat retaliation with the threat of another court case hanging over West Ham which was brought by Fulham following the shambolic Carlos Tevez affair? [LNB]However, that's a side issue here. The real bone of contention is the horrific mess that the supreme body in English football has got itself into. [LNB]Premier League bigwigs may well have had the best of intentions when they stipulated that the integrity of the competition should be safeguarded at all costs, what with the suspended sentence handed down to Wolves earlier this season for Mick McCarthy's decision to change his 10 outfield players. [LNB]But it was misguided, ill-timed and totally unenforceable. Simply, this is a battle they can never win. [LNB]For a start, it seems that the conflicting motivator of cold, hard cash isn't sufficient for Hodgson to abandon the Europa League - a competition that Fulham have fought long and hard for this season. [LNB]Merit money, based on standings in the table come the end of the campaign, was supposed to provide enough of an incentive for this situation not to happen. [LNB] Take that: Hull's Jimmy Bullard was on target against his former club Fulham[LNB]Clearly in this case, it hasn't. And, whether you are Mick McCarthy, protecting your first-choice players, or Roy Hodgson who chooses to put European glory ahead of an eighth-placed finish instead of 10th, the fact of the matter is that managers have the inalienable right to field whoever they blooming well like. [LNB]McCarthy faced enough flak from his own supporters, understandably miffed at forking out 40-odd quid plus time off work etc to get to Old Trafford. [LNB]Not to mention his owner, Steve Morgan who has admitted he was less-than-impressed. [LNB]The Yorkshireman has to satisfy (and I hate to use this word) other stakeholders who come higher up the food chain than the Premier League. Namely his employer and the club's supporters. [LNB]He is in situ only by the acceptance of his position by both. If some other club benefits because you feel it is right to field 10 different players, there's not a lot anyone can do about it. [LNB] Hammering home their message: Gold (left) and Sullivan[LNB]Surely the cast-iron case in point was Manchester United's side, fielded by Sir Alex Ferguson, against Hull City before last season's Champions League final? [LNB]It doesn't matter that Ferguson's side went on to win, the fact that he was allowed to ride roughshod over the competition without reproach was incredible, given the treatment handed out to Wolves.[LNB] I don't blame Ferguson for doing it. Not one jot. If he has bigger fish to fry than the Premier League, having won the thing, then he has the right to do what he likes. [LNB]If Hull had benefited from that, well, I'm afraid it's just hard luck. [LNB]As for Gold and Sullivan - have they seen who West Ham play in the run-in? [LNB]Yes, that's right, Fulham. You can bet Roy Hodgson will field his full-strength side in that one. [LNB]I mean, why open your mouths now? Moreover, placing McCarthy and Wolves in the dock was little short of a disgrace and the actions by the Premier League in failing to crack down on this issue in all forms have left them needing to deal with a monster.[LNB] On behalf of Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters and Mick McCarthy. [LNB]Ha ha. It serves them right. [LNB] Man City make Birmingham wait until the summer for new Hart loan dealBirmingham 1 Arsenal 1: Wenger insists pitch to blame for title setback West Ham at war with Hodgson: Legal threat over Fulham playing reservesHull 2 City Fulham 0: Manager Iain Dowie's belief works in his defence[LNB] [LNB]
