England manager Roy Hodgson is expecting goalkeeper Joe Hart to play a crucial role at Euro 2012 and inspire confidence in his squad.
Boss backing England No.1 to shine in Poland and Ukraine
England manager Roy Hodgson is expecting goalkeeper Joe Hart to play a crucial role at Euro 2012 and inspire confidence in his squad.
Hodgson's party headed to Luton Airport on Wednesday for the flight to Krakow - their home for the next three and a half weeks if things turn out as the manager wants.
Second choice keeper Robert Green may have done reasonably well in Norway recently - his first appearance since suffering that World Cup nightmare in Rustenburg, when his blunder gifted the United States' Clint Dempsey an equaliser.
However, man for man, Hart is accepted as the player England can least afford to be without.
Vital
"I agree he will be vital," said Hodgson. "His form for Manchester City has been superb.
"When he has played for England he has done very well and if we are to do well there is no doubt we will need Joe Hart in top form."
A proud tradition of world-class goalkeepers - including Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, current England coach Ray Clemence, and David Seaman - hit a fallow period recently.
Paul Robinson and David James amassed plenty of caps without truly being top drawer, while Scott Carson's poor performance against Croatia helped result in England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 and cost Steve McClaren his job.
Ben Foster looked to be the answer until form, fitness and, eventually, lack of interest, condemned him exclusively to a club career - a situation Hodgson has been unable to reverse.
Once uncapped Norwich keeper John Ruddy was ruled out of this tournament, Hodgson opted for the promise of 19-year-old Jack Butland to fill the third available slot, even though his only senior action has come in League Two for Cheltenham.
Fortunately, England have Hart, whose saves played a significant role in Manchester City clinching their first league title for 44 years and, at 25, has so much improvement still to make.
Even now James argues the Shrewsbury-born star is better than Spain's Iker Casillas, who along with Germany's Manuel Neuer is generally regarded as the world's best.
Faith
"If you look at the top England teams of the past we have often had a goalkeeper that people have suggested is one of the best in Europe or, in the case of Gordon Banks, in the world," said Hodgson.
"I agree 100% with Brian Clough. He always placed great faith in goalkeepers. He felt that got you a lot of points every year.
"He produces the save that a normal goalkeeper wouldn't. That lifts your team higher up the league. It also gives confidence, which is another factor."
