Given or Guzan?

[not3bad]

Given for me but Brad should be picked for the cup game(s)

This for me.

[john e]

i dont think there is a lot in it, Given probably gets the nod on experience.

but the two keepers are judged differently, as was Friedal,
 i remember when Friedel was making some terible blunders especialy with crosses, and in general not comanding his area with his usual auothority, yet no one complained, no one called for him to be dropped, as for Guzan he's still being judged on a game years ago aginst Blackburn, someone just mentioned his kick against Bristol, yet if Given had made the same mistake it would be overlooked and forgotten about,
Guzan is a very good keeper, maybe long term he's a better bet than Given, but he will be of in the summer if his contract is up, he will want first team football somewhere,

[Dante Lavelli]

Guzan is a very good keeper, maybe long term he's a better bet than Given, but he will be of in the summer if his contract is up, he will want first team football somewhere.

That's another terrible waste of money.  We bought him cheaply admittedly but he's starting to look like a 5m keeper (based largely on age and potential admittedly) and we're likely to loose him for nothing.  Now is the time to offer him a contract as he must be feeling pretty loved right now.

[john e]

Guzan is a very good keeper, maybe long term he's a better bet than Given, but he will be of in the summer if his contract is up, he will want first team football somewhere.

That's another terrible waste of money.  We bought him cheaply admittedly but he's starting to look like a 5m keeper (based largely on age and potential admittedly) and we're likely to loose him for nothing.  Now is the time to offer him a contract as he must be feeling pretty loved right now.

i agree, Man Utd just paid 18 mill for a keeper who is worse

[Aston Manor]

Given for me. But then again I'd sell Guzan. LOL!

[Somniloquism]

Don't trust Guzan, no matter how many decent performances he puts in.   I've seen him have several shaky performances. In a decade, I don't remember more than one or two poor performances from Given, and none while playing for us as yet.

If in a decade, you can't remember more then 1-2 poor performances, first how come you have watched every single Newcastle match in that time, and second, that would have made Given 25 since when you kept a good eye on him, remind me how old Guzan was in the Blackburn game.

TBH this actually the first time that we have been able to judge Guzan on other then the one game in five and he appears to be maturing. I'd hope he signs a contract extension as he will surely be definite first choice within the next year or so dependent on Given injuries, otherwise we could be in the same situation as Liverpool were with Friedal when he went on a free due to lack of games and became one of the most steady and consistent keepers around.

[PaulWinch again]

I like Guzan and if he's prepared to stay I'd be happy to have him, but Given is number 1.

[Rancid custard]

Given is a pretty good all rounder. Brad's better at shot stopping and penalties, he lacks commanding the defense, struggles to dominate the box and flaps at corners. It's Shay for me, but only just, if Dunne wasn't starting they'd both be better off...

[SoccerHQ]

Given is a pretty good all rounder. Brad's better at shot stopping and penalties, he lacks commanding the defense, struggles to dominate the box and flaps at corners. It's Shay for me, but only just, if Dunne wasn't starting they'd both be better off...

You missed the Stoke game then?

[Somniloquism]

I like Guzan and if he's prepared to stay I'd be happy to have him, but Given is number 1.

Although I'm defending Guzan, I expect Given to be starting when fit because he normally throws a paddy when he isn't playing. When Bobby Robson was at Newcastle, Given suffered an injury and Bobby decided to stick with Harper. Shay handed in a transfer request, (he did rescind it when rejected and just said he wanted to make a point about not playing). He also rubbished Hart and as soon as he was usurped as Number 1 at Citeh he was out of there.

I don't doubt he has tremendous ability, just that I'm an advocate of earn a shirt, keep a shirt or even a bit of rotation, but Shay has shown in the past that he isn't always a team player in that aspect.

[Somniloquism]

Given is a pretty good all rounder. Brad's better at shot stopping and penalties, he lacks commanding the defense, struggles to dominate the box and flaps at corners. It's Shay for me, but only just, if Dunne wasn't starting they'd both be better off...

You missed the Stoke game then?

Exactly, part of the reason we kept a good clean sheet against them was Guzan coming out and claiming well. This meant the defenders could relax and not have to get their head to every thing going if it was near Guzan.

[Shrek]

Given is a pretty good all rounder. Brad's better at shot stopping and penalties, he lacks commanding the defense, struggles to dominate the box and flaps at corners. It's Shay for me, but only just, if Dunne wasn't starting they'd both be better off...

You've got the wrong way round.

Given is a quality shot stopper, but Brad is better in the air, from corners, crosses and at commanding his area.

We've looked far better on set pieces since Guzan has been in.

[villa-love]

Guzan

[Gerrin]

Assuming Given (if he's still at the club will play the 2 games against Bradford and we get to the final, should he keep his place for the final? Or will Lambert do like MON and bring in Guzan for the big match.

[OCD]

When we got to the final the other year, Guzan had played all the cup games but Friedel was preferred in the final. If we continue with Given, Guzan misses out again and if we went with Guzan, it would be harsh on Given. Either way someone misses out so you have to just go with whomever would give us the best chance of winning - which for me would be Guzan.