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Fans Can't Believe Who Gareth Southgate Says Is In His Starting XI

Fans Can't Believe Who Gareth Southgate Says Is In His Starting XI

The England manager has one man already pencilled into his World Cup line up on June 18th.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

England's World Cup draw would have left a smile on the faces of fans for all of about a minute before they remembered all the other 'easy' draws they've failed with. But their moods worsened with Gareth Southgate's claim about one of his team members.

There wouldn't be too many fans that think England should have too much issue with both Panama and Tunisia and even the drawing of Belgium in Group G could have been a lot worse.

However most England fans will think of the likes of Costa Rica, Iceland, Algeria and USA who the Three Lions have failed to beat in recent tournaments.

If fans of the national team were happy though then their manager soon soured that by claiming that Joe Hart was still his first choice keeper despite the form the goalie has shown for West Ham:

"If we play tomorrow, I think Joe Hart would be our number one. I said that before the last game and he had a very good performance against Brazil. Equally, as I keep having to say to him, we are six months away and he has got to maintain form and make sure [of that] in the lead up to the World Cup."

The 30 year old, on loan from Manchester City, has conceded 30 goals in 14 games for the Hammers and whilst some of the blame lays at the defence it's not exactly a ringing endorsement whilst he was also poor in the Euros in 2016.

It's fair to say that fans were not exactly thrilled by the idea of Hart inbetween the sticks:

Jack Butland was due to be in goal for both of the recent friendlies but broke his finger in training for England so Jordan Pickford donned the gloves against Germany and had a very good game.

Hart was then in place in the Brazil game and also kept a clean sheet in a decent performance.

Of course Hart found himself in the reverse position at the start of his England career when Fabio Capello decided to stick with experience in Rob Green at the 2010 World Cup rather than pick the inform Hart.

The then Hammers keeper made a mistake in the first game and was then dropped in favour of David James as the Italian refused to go back on his decision that Hart was too inexperienced.

Surely the former Shrewsbury man can't keep the gloves.

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Topics: Joe Hart, Russia 2018, Panama, England, Gareth Southgate, World Cup, Fans