England boss Hodgson backs keeper for crunch World Cup qualifiers despite gaffes

England boss Hodgson backs keeper for crunch World Cup qualifiers despite gaffes

Water relief: Hodgson takes a swig of water as he announces that he is to keep faith with Joe Hart

Joe Hart has been assured he will be England's No 1 against Montenegro and Poland after emphatic backing from head coach Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson backed Joe Hart after his mistakes against Bayern Munich.
He said: 'Goalkeepers are always going to be in that situation, they are like forwards who don't score.
'They are in the firing line when it comes to criticism. It's easier to criticise them than the player who made
the initial mistake.

Had better days: Both Manuel Pellegrini and Hart were pictured looking glum at training on Wednesday

Support: Hodgson says Hart will be his No 1 for the matches against Poland and Macedonia

On the face of it: Roy Hodgson wears a puzzled expression during his press conference

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'I'm sure Joe will shrug this off, he won't be happy, but it's a fact of life. He has never let us down and I have every confidence and faith in him. He will put it behind him.
'Your confidence improves when you get rave reviews. He went through a bad period last night, he let in three goals.
'He kept a clean sheet against Moldova and Ukraine – we've let in three goals in eight games. It will take a lot for me to replace him. We need experience in these games.
'If you look at the keepers we have, he is the No1.'
Celtic keeper Fraser Forster played well against Barcelona in the Champions League this week.
Hodgson added: 'It would be a mistake to play him in these important matches. Then we will see what Fraser can do between now and the summer. Joe will get us through the next two games.'

Night to forget: Hart was at fault for two of Bayern's goals as City were soundly beaten at the Etihad Stadium

Hodgson added: 'This is not a good moment for Joe, he’s a proud man. But I believe in him and he’s the right man for the job.
'That’s the only way I can answer the question honestly. I talk a lot to everyone so I don’t know why he should escape.'
Hodgson also defended his reputation after the 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Kiev last month.
He added: ‘The ex-England players I spoke to were very positive about the performance in Ukraine.
We were hit quite badly by injuries. "Joyless" is a harsh criticism, but I do understand when I’m on the bench that sometimes my view will be different to those who watch more dispassionately.
‘The chances of qualifying for Brazil are still in our own hands.’
Hodgson said he was confident Rooney would be fit to join up with the squad.

England's No 1: Hart will retain his position in goal for England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers

'We are reliably informed that it's not a serious injury and it won't stop him joining up with us," he added.
Hodgson looks set to pair Rooney with Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge who also returns to the England set-up after injury.
Sturridge was previously absent from England duty with a thigh injury while Rooney's United team-mate Danny Welbeck was missing through suspension.
The England manager said he was looking forward to seeing Rooney play alongside Sturridge.
'I was thinking these two players are in great form. I'm happy that at the moment things are looking very good squad-wise.
'I'm very hopeful and very confident that these group of players, as long as they come through this weekend's games, they will take us there (to the World Cup finals in Brazil).'

Slipping through his grasp: Hart let in this shot from Scotland's James Morrison in August

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