World Cup qualifying: 10 talking points from this week’s action

Sep 06, 2017

It’s time for Gareth Southgate to drop Joe Hart, Aaron Hughes embodies Northern Ireland’s ambition and Ben Woodburn has once again proved himself for Wales

Before the games against Malta and Slovakia Gareth Southgate suggested no other goalkeeper had “staked a strong enough claim” to take over from Joe Hart. It seems a strange statement given the fine form and obvious talent of Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford. It is an oddity of the goalkeeping position that, while mistakes are always highlighted, it generally takes a run of howlers to lose your spot. Sustained middling form, or the mild uncertainty that Hart has emanated for more than a year doesn’t seem to be enough. Southgate missed a chance in the current break to show a little ruthlessness and address this. In the event Hart failed to get a hand on the first shot on target across the two games, Stanislav Lobotka’s goal at Wembley poked past a starfish-pose-by-numbers England keeper. Tournament games come down to fine details, just as a goalie at the top of his powers can disguise many failings. “Showing faith in your man” is one thing. Right now Hart looks like the last outpost of the undroppable celebrity player culture that blighted successive England teams. Barney Ronay

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