his chance after growing increasingly
frustrated with the England man's slow, direct
distribution as well as his high-profile errors
By Paul Clennam
Joe Hart could be set for a spell on the
Manchester City sidelines as manager Manuel
Pellegrini becomes increasingly concerned
about the form of England's No.1 goalkeeper.
Hart was at fault as Chelsea snatched a last-
minute winner against Pellegrini's side on
Sunday, charging from his goal and past the
ball as Matija Nastasic attempted to head back
to his keeper.
Pellegrini's patience has been worn down since
the beginning of the season; he had considered
dropping Hart following his poor performance
against Bayern Munich but was persuaded by
first-team coaches that the 26-year-old needed
a public display of support.
But the incident at Stamford Bridge may have
been the straw that broke the camel's back,
with Costel Pantilimon told that he will start
against Newcastle in the Capital One Cup on
Wednesday.
Pellegrini, of course, will make a number of
changes for the clash at St James' Park but he
has made clear to Pantilimon that he will keep
his place between the posts if he impresses.
Although Hart has comitted a string of errors
in recent months, it is not just his public
displays which have concerned his manager.
Pellegrini has become increasingly unsure
about Hart, and indeed his England team-
mates Joleon Lescott, James Milner and Micah
Richards, after monitoring them closely in
training since his arrival in June.
The former Malaga boss does not believe Hart's
technical ability has improved enough in
recent months, despite frequent drills designed
to quicken his distrubtion in order to help
build attacks quicker - in line with the club's
new Barcelona-led philosophy.
Hart's inability to spot a short pass to a
defender or deep-lying midfielder has caused
Pellegrini great frustration in his short time in
Manchester.
Manager and goalkeeper do maintain a healthy
working relationship, however, and Hart is
happy working with new goalkeeping coach
Xabier Mancisidor, but his high-profile errors
and failure to improve his distrubution have
forced Pellegrini's hand.
Hart's indifferent form stretches back to
Roberto Mancini's reign at the Etihad Stadium,
and sucessor Pellegrini was given a headache
just three days before the Premier League
season began when the goalkeeper allowed
James Morrison's shot to squirm past him while
playing for England against Scotland.
The Chilean decided not to follow in the
footsteps of Mancini, who had criticised Hart
on several occasions in his final season in
charge at the Etihad Stadium, and instead
called for him to prove his doubters wrong.
But costly mistakes in away defeats at Cardiff
City and Aston Villa followed, before he
allowed Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben to
score soft goals in the 3-1 Champions League
humbling at the hands of Bayern.
Pellegrini saw a positive response from his
shot-stopper after eventually electing to stick
with him for the following game against
Everton, and indeed Hart rescued City with a
fine save in the final minute against CSKA
Moscow last week.
But Hart, who has been consistently backed by
England manager Roy Hodgson throughout his
recent spell, is now in danger of losing first-
choice status at the Etihad with just eight
months to go until the World Cup in Brazil.
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