Brad Guzan

[Aston Manor]

Although I'd agree mostly the point is that as soon as Given is back he'll be playing. Guzan would then be spending the remainder of the season on the bench which Marshall could do. There's no point keeping someone on the bench just in case your number 1 player gets injured. You'd just be stock piling rubbish on decent money as the Sunderland manager tended to do.

[Greg N'Ash]

so don't replace Guzan and rely on a 37 year old who hasn't played for 3 years if Given breaks down?  Well its an interesting suggestion........

[Aston Manor]

He's 35 but why split hairs. he hadn't played since April 2010 for Man City because of a dislocated shoulder. At the start of the next season Joe Hart - England's number 1 - replaced him. So, yes I don't think it needs too much of a leap of faith in the current Rep Of Ireland number 1 being able to keep himself fit and free of injury between now and the end of the season. I also seem to recall that for all our poor performances up to now Given comes out of it with his reputation still firmly intact.

[Concrete John]

We should be trying to sign Guzan up to a new contract.

[Aston Manor]

Why? He'd want more money and would just be sitting there warming the bench. He's a number 2 no better no worse unless he wants to try his luck at someone like Reading and become their number 2 eventually also.

[Greg N'Ash]

erm...I was talking about Marshall being 37. and while i have no fears about Given's ability he is injury prone and frankly i don't think Marshall is good enough as cover or was ever intended to be our no.2

[Concrete John]

Why? He'd want more money and would just be sitting there warming the bench. He's a number 2 no better no worse unless he wants to try his luck at someone like Reading and become their number 2 eventually also.

Why?  Because replacing him would cost a transfer fee and signing on bonus, plus similar wages, with the likely result we wouldn't get someone as good.

[dave.woodhall]

I'm sure we've all seen plenty of reserve keepers have a couple of good games then fade away. Postma comes to mind.

[TimTheVillain]

He seems to command the area well and has good reflexes.

A very good 2nd string keeper.

[DaveD]

I'm sure we've all seen plenty of reserve keepers have a couple of good games then fade away. Postma comes to mind.

As do Michael Oakes and Peter Enckelman. Solid reserves, but not up to the regular number one jersey when push came to shove.

[Concrete John]

I'm sure we've all seen plenty of reserve keepers have a couple of good games then fade away. Postma comes to mind.

Time will tell if that's the case or if he's matured well and is fulfilling the potential we heard about when he signed, but while he's in and playing well, I think we should be at least exploring the finances of giving him an extension.   

[dave.woodhall]

I'm sure we've all seen plenty of reserve keepers have a couple of good games then fade away. Postma comes to mind.

Time will tell if that's the case or if he's matured well and is fulfilling the potential we heard about when he signed, but while he's in and playing well, I think we should be at least exploring the finances of giving him an extension.   

Without a doubt - at the moment he's a good number two. But at the moment that's all he is and all we should be offering him.

[UK Redsox]

With Brad's contact up I expect he will be offered a new one at "Number 2" rates. It'll then be up to him if he wants to stay as Given's backup or start for some team in the lower part of the Prem, the Championship or on the continent

[Concrete John]

Without a doubt - at the moment he's a good number two. But at the moment that's all he is and all we should be offering him.

Agreed.  My feelings about number 2s are that they should have the potential to eventually dispalce the current number one.  Without getting carried away, Guzan has done that these last few games, or at least shown enough that we're not missing Given as we thought we would, so that alone says to me "Keep him and see if he can get any better!"

[TheSandman]

The problem is that every team needs that good number two goalie. It's why Stuart Taylor is probably an exceptionally wealthy man in spite of playing something like 10 games in 5 seasons for us and Man City. Sell Guzan, or not renew his contract and we'll still probably need to find a replacement (especially with Given's injuries) who will command a fee and probably big wages. If Brad fancies trying his hand somewhere else then fair fucks to him. If he's content to sign a new deal then we should give it him.