‘He’s Too Horizontal To Be World Class’ – Fabien Barthez Picks Apart Joe Hart’s Sub Standard Diving Technique

Chris Wright

6th, July 2016

5 Comments

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Having failed to stop a couple of shots at Euro 2016, Joe Hart’s position as the tippy-top goalkeeper for club and country is once again being heavily debated.

Indeed, the latest to stick his oar in is one Fabien Barthez, with the former France No.1 arguing that Hart’s sub par diving technique and questionable athleticism have left him lagging behind the likes of Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris in the ‘world class’ stakes.

Talking to France Football, Barthez said:

[Hart’s] diving technique isn’t good. It’s too horizontal and not aggressive enough.

He isn’t flexible and doesn’t come out. When he runs, it’s just ‘thud, thud, thud.’

He messes up because he doesn’t attack the ball’s path, meaning his hands are then pushed back by the impact with the ball.

Hart is two levels below Neuer, Courtois and Lloris.

Yep, and his kicking is frequently suspect too. And his composure. The sooner Jack Butland is phased in, the better.

The ex-Manchester United baldy also posited that Hart’s shortcomings are deep-rooted within English football’s antiquated approach to training up goalies.

It’s heavy. I don’t understand the English culture around the position. They need huge guys, but they’re just walls that don’t come out.

Clubs and the FA need to change their philosophy in developing goalkeepers.

Little does Barthez know that, while the rest of the world are fannying around with their fashionable dinky goalkeepers, the FA are secretly breeding a humungo-keeper who stands eight feet tall and measures 8 yards across in the labs beneath St George’s Park.

We’ll see who’s laughing when, come Euro 2032, Johnny Cuboid is blocking every single shot on target without having to move a muscle, won’t we?

Posted in England, Euro 2016

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5 Comments

  1. RedTillImDead says:

    Where does De Gea fit into Barthez grand scheme of ‘keepers? I would put De Gea and Neuer in a class of their own, Cortois I have not been impressed by, but Lloris is certainly near the top.

  2. SA says:

    Joe butterfinger Hart needs to retire from England duty, DDG best in Europe

  3. Maria says:

    Pffft, Like Barthez was such a legendary ‘keeper. Hart’s evey bit as good as he ever was.

  4. Todger Tugger says:

    Maria, Barthez never humiliated his country at a major tournament. A serial winner has the right to pass judgement on serial tunnel shouter.

  5. Seaman's_ponytail says:

    The butterfingered clod hopper always dives with his head as far back as he can get it away from the ball. Probably doesn’t want to risk his face, hair, gel, lip gloss etc. Not a brave keeper. Was never good enough for a national side.

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