Slaven Bilic has waded into Joe Hart’s critics making a blistering attack on them in one of his most outspoken attacks for a long time.
Hart has barely put a foot wrong in an England shirt but continues to be at the centre of complaints from fans who don’t believe him to be worth the sweater.
Much of that is based on his perceived form for the Irons leading Bilic to snap: I think you don’t [appreciate him], I think you don’t.
“Joe Hart, the game against Slovenia he was man of the match, you didn’t have that feeling from the studio or the commentating or the penalty incident he got away with. He didn’t get away with it, it wasn’t a penalty. If it was anyone else as a goalkeeper and not Joe Hart, nobody would say it was.
“He has [become an easy target]. To be fair, he’s brilliant. He never slaughters anyone, does his job, takes the bullet, is there every time for years now whether it is Man City, Torino or West Ham.
“Very good, vocal, professional, stays after training in the gym and works hard. He is very interested in the squad, he’s a top pro, he doesn’t deserve this.
“There isn’t a person that wouldn’t be affected by it [the criticism] but I have a feeling that he doesn’t give a…you know. He puts himself above that situation.
I speak to him about it but to after these last few games, I congratulate him. I don’t think about that a lot but when did he make a mistake. Tell me. Don’t talk about Torino when he conceded against Chievo. Don’t go there. When did he make a mistake for England?
“He was man of the match in Slovenia, 0-0. He was at the home game too. Is he he guilty that England played flat? No.
“We can talk for ages, Joe Hart is a great professional and a long-term England number one, in Euros, World Cups, I don’t remember many mistakes and remember some great saves, commanding presence, the same for ages at Man City, then to Torino.
“He came to West Ham conceded ten goals and then kept clean sheets for last three out of four. He’s taking it [the criticism] very good. But then it shouldn’t be the case like that [miss them when they are retired. When you’re 50, Joe you were great and should be happy, come on.”