West Ham have plummeted down the Premier League standings following three consecutive defeats at the hands of Liverpool, Swansea City and Burnley.
The Hammers now sit just three points above the relegation zone heading into the final eight games of the season and tempers reached boiling point in last weekend’s defeat at the London Stadium, where fans invaded the pitch and protested against the club’s owners.
On the field, West Ham’s display was far from convincing and Joe Hart was criticised for the third goal, fumbling a shot into the path of Ashley Barnes, but he’s earned support from former Premier League goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Australian backed England boss Gareth Southgate for calling Hart up to his latest squad and blamed the invading supporters for Hart’s error.
“He’ll (Gareth Southgate) give Joe every opportunity to get a run of games and get a run of good form. I think he would have had Joe penciled in before he was dropped form the West Ham side. (For me) he has to go regardless of whether he is number one, just for that experience.”
“There was a mistake for the third goal (against Burnley) but I think the circumstances had a lot to do with that with the fans coming on to the pitch, not just for Joe but for all the players. If he plays in the last eight games of the season for West Ham he’ll be on 28 games, that’s not a disaster, it’s not like he hasn’t played, that’s two third of a season.”
Hart has struggled for consistency this season, battling Spaniard Adrian for first-team football, and his loan stint from Manchester City is unlikely to be made permanent.
