• Premier League

Hart worried by defensive wobble

ESPN staff
February 3, 2011
Joe Hart made a howler against Leicester in the FA Cup third round © PA Photos
Enlarge

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted that his team-mates are concerned that defensive difficulties will derail their title push.

City have conceded six goals in their last three league matches - only one of which has been won - and have now fallen eight points behind leaders Manchester United, who have played a game less.

That marks a significant change from the early stages of the season, when City's defensive solidity led to complaints that Roberto Mancini was employing excessively negative tactics.

"We're not happy with [the goals we're conceding]," Hart told Sky Sports News. "We prided ourselves at the start of the season as being a very tough team to get a goal against and they're coming a bit freely at the moment, which concerns all of us."

Hart has come under fire after committing a series of errors that have led to goals - most recently in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham, when he let Nikola Zigic's tame shot squirm into the back of the net. The England goalkeeper, who has been told by Fabio Capello that he must improve his focus, concedes that he has been less than satisfied with his form.

"Letting goals in doesn't look great to myself," he said. "I haven't been pleased, I hate letting goals in and some of them have come in a bit of an awkward manner."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices