Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[bertlambshank]

Not as shaky as friedal and guzan have been bigad, as I say on a free transfer he would be a decent signing as one of 2 keepers we need, people living near me are always singing his praises and see him as the only jewel in their team, I think there will be a few premier teams in for him and ranson said 5 had enquiries about him last month , but as he's out of contract in June it makes sense for them to wait.

Ok give Brad one more season and bring Westwood in and give him the cup games.

[eastie]

Not sure brad warrants one more season on his recent form but I'd prefer that option ahead of green, bigad. I know houllier said they would decide in feb on brad so I'm guessing a decision is very close.

Maybe give brad another season and let him and Westwood battle it out for the no 1 spot on merit , rather than just giving Westwood cup games? Maybe if we have a decent keeper on the books brad will lift his game as guzan hasn't really looked like pushing him for his place.

[Chris Smith]

So, Eastie, how many times have tou watched Westie? Not highlights but full games where you can get a proper idea of how good he is? How many of those games have been high pressure not the usual Cov mid table crap?

As for Given he's fucked up the same shoulder that kept him out for months before. There's clearly a problem there and that's bad news for a keeper and fir that reason we shouldn't consider him.

[eastie]

I'd say I've seen him  5 times chris and he's impressed me each time with his keeping, and as I've said numerous times we need 2 keepers and I believe on a free Westwood would be a good signing , whether with us or not he will be a premier keeper next season , and I would take the chance on him.

As regards given, he should be fit in 3 months and for a nominal fee would be a worthwhile signing, if there are still doubts on his fitness then look elsewhere .

DefeNce should be the priority in the summer with keeper and full back positions both in need of signings, also I feel GED likes his central defenders to be comfortable in possession and I'd expect him to be looking at bringing in a ball playing centre half .

[Shrek]

Every time I've seen Westwood he has impressed.

He is a 1st choice keeper with experience, granted not top level, but how many people on here thought Foster was shit when he was muted? He has been superb.

I just think that we are at present a midtable club that will probably lose our best player and make a big loss on all the deadwood being sold, so with a keeper being a priority I think with Westwood being free is worth the risk.

[Karl Bridges]

I do think Westwood on a free is worth it.  I would also say it's difficult for keepers to look totally commanding nowadays with the freakish way the balls can move. What can be a routine save can be spilled due to a flyaway type swerve of the ball.

[cdbearsfan]

I don't see it as that much of a gamble. A player from the Championship is just as likely to settle in as a player from abroad. Especially for a goalkeeper who needs to communicate with his defence (so English-speaking is a must). The alternative is buy a Premier League goalkeeper... and there is a dearth of talent in that area at the moment. I wouldn't mind Ben Foster, but they wouldn't sell him to us.

Given and Westwood I would go with, play Westwood in easier looking Cup games with the idea of phasing him in if he looks the part and/or Given gets injured/looks past it. Leave Marshall in the squad as he seems happy to play third-fiddle and is probably a decent influence on the young players in the Reserves.

[Dave]

Urgh. Given.

Urgh.

[KevinGage]

Given has been solid enough over the years, a rock for Ireland in crucial games.

But he has never seemed great at dominating the box, and he seems to be becoming increasingly susceptible to injuries in recent seasons.

If he was available for a decent fee and not on mental wages then maybe. We would need a very good no 2 though, as he would most likely see a fair bit of game time.

I'd probably prefer Robinson.

[cdbearsfan]

Given or Robinson plus Westwood. Green plus Westwood at a push.

[Dave]

Some decent keeper from abroad rather than the average likes of Green or Given.

The next Schmeichel or Bosnich please.

[cdbearsfan]

That could be Westwood, but trying to get those sort of players is always a hit-and-miss affair. That's why I reckon get Westwood with someone solid (if, admittedly, unspectacular) as first choice for him to try to usurp.

Don't forget as well that Man U and Arsenal are after goalies this summer. They are more of a draw than us and probably (definitely in Arsenal's case) have a much better scouting system than us. If someone stands out internationally they will be after him. They won't be after Westwood, hopefully to our benefit.

[Namlod]

Guzan is playing a blinder for Hull now that he has had a chance to string some decent games together. I would be happy to keep him as I really think he could do a good job for us but agree, we still need another keeper to replace Brad Snr.

[eastie]

Guzan is not good enough in my opinion to be honest, either as no 1 or 2 nd choice.

[Dave]

Guzan is not good enough in my opinion to be honest, either as no 1 or 2 nd choice.

Seems to be doing better in the Championship than the all-conquering Westwood.