Former Premier League winner Mark Schwarzer has urged West Ham fans to be patient with Joe Hart, saying the out-of-form keeper needs ‘time to adapt’ to life at the London Stadium.
Hart has had a torrid start to his Hammers career having conceded 13 goals in his opening six games for his new club – the joint worst in the Premier League – leading to some heavy criticism from the Claret and Blue army.
However, Schwarzer – a Premier League winner with Leicester City – believes the fans must be patient with Hart as it is still early into the new season.
“Joe Hart is a very good goalkeeper, England’s No.1,” the ex-Fulham and Chelsea man told Goal.
“Obviously, he had a difficult season recently but to come back to England and playing for West Ham would be very good for his career and maintaining No.1 in England team.
“He would need time to adjust in West Ham. It’s a very different team to Man City. West Ham is not performing very well until now, but I think it won’t be long for Joe Hart to play his best.”
Hart spent last season on-loan with Serie A side Torino, where he endured an equally torrid name, being named in the Serie A ‘worst team of the season’ by Goal themselves.
Despite his recent troubles however, Schwarzer still believes he is England’s best keeper and has what it takes to succeed at the London Stadium.
“He needs to play regularly in England. This is the best league, most challenging league in the world,” he said.
“It’s a new challenge for him. He needs to more involved for his team and also he needs to change his game a little bit.”
