• 'There is no doubt we will need Joe Hart in top form'
• A good keeper gives the team confidence, says Hodgson
Roy Hodgson has not only acknowledged that Joe Hart will need to shoulder considerable responsibility during Euro 2012 but deemed the Manchester City goalkeeper vital to his England side's hopes of success in Poland and Ukraine.
As an England squad already debilitated by injuries to key players, prepare to fly to Krakow their manager conceded that his team are extraordinarily dependent on the 6ft 5in 25-year-old.
"If we are to do well, there is no doubt we will need Joe Hart in top form," said Hodgson. "I agree he will be vital. His form for Manchester City has been superb; when he has played for England he has done very well. He produces the saves that a normal goalkeeper would not. That lifts teams higher and it also gives confidence, which is another factor."
Although there are arguable weak links among Hodgson's outfield, Hart represents a particular strong point. "If you look at the top England teams of the past and the teams that have done extremely well in the past, we have often had a goalkeeper that people have suggested is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe or, in the case of Gordon Banks, one of the best in the world," said Hodgson. "I agree 100% with Brian Clough's position. He always placed great faith in goalkeepers. He felt they got you a lot of points every year."
There are not many goalkeepers good enough to displace the Republic of Ireland's Shay Given in a Premier League side but Hart's ousting of the Aston Villa keeper at City was fully vindicated as he contributed enormously to their title success. Playing for Roberto Mancini's team Hart has learnt to cope with periods of prolonged inactivity, something he experienced during last Saturday's 1-0 friendly victory against Belgium at Wembley.
"I thought Joe was competent," said Hodgson. "For long periods he didn't have a lot to do. You notice that with goalkeepers. When they don't have a lot to do, they start to practise their kicking. They do the cleverer kicks or the better kicks, then, when they have a lot to do, they are quite happy to throw it out and get a bit of a breather."
England's manager, players and fans, can only hope that Hart is seen perfecting plenty of fancy kicks against France in Donetsk on Monday. Read More
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