Castrol Statistics Focus: Joe Hart - Switzerland v England
England are once again in international action, and following his confident performance against Bulgaria the plaudits and praise have been heaped upon Joe Hart. But are people getting ahead of themselves by pronouncing Hart as England's keeper for the next 20 years, especially as England face a dangerous Switzerland side.
Joe Hart has made an impressive start to his England international career, firmly staking his claim for the England number one jersey, further backed by statistics currently showing Hart as England's top performer. Castrol Performance research shows that Joe Hart has been the best English goalkeeper in the Premier League this season so far, saving a superb 94% of the shots fired in on his goal, a figure only one goalkeeper in the division can better - Chelsea s Czech stopper Petr Cech (100%).
The search for a new long-term goalkeeper has plagued successive England managers since David Seaman hung up his gloves, but now, after a number of false starts and calamitous errors, Fabio Capello may have found his permanent number one. Joe Hart compares favourably to all the other available English goalkeepers in the Premier League in every category. England may finally have the long term solution to a long term goalkeeping problem!
Against Switzerland Joe will have to be at his aerial best, as the Swiss have proven they can head their way to glory. Castrol Performance analysis shows that during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Switzerland were the most potent side in the air, netting a competition-high 12 headed goals. At home to England, the Alpine side will be confident of making the most of their aerial ability!
So could Switzerland prove to be a tricky tie for England? Will Joe Hart perform well in goal again and is he the right man for England?
