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England national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Nov 15, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Slovenia national football team

3-1

Rooney (59' pen.), Welbeck (66', 72')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Henderson (58' og.)

Roy Hodgson: 'Joe Hart will thrive on competition'

England boss Roy Hodgson admits that the competition for the goalkeeping position in his side will bring out the best in first-choice stopper Joe Hart.

England boss Roy Hodgson feels that his side's strength in goalkeeping depth will bring out the best in Joe Hart.

Hart was criticised for a lack of form last season and was dropped by Manchester City in favour of Costel Pantilimon, but he was able to keep his place in the Three Lions team due to a lack of a better alternative.

Fraser Forster and Ben Foster have both risen to the challenge of putting Hart under pressure, but Hodgson is adamant he will never choose the form player over the best quality option.

He told reporters: "When Joe was under his severest criticism, Ben and Fraser weren't at the level of form they are now. I try to divorce form from quality. I've always believed in Joe's quality.

"There was a time when he was suffering from a lack of form and people suggested he might not keep his place but he never showed anything that would have led to me questioning him.

"These situations test the players out more than the coach. As a coach, it's good if you know who your best players are."

England face Slovenia in their Euro 2016 qualifying clash later today.

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Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster looks on during the Capital One Cup Second Round match between Millwall and Southampton at The Den on August 26, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

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Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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