Given or Guzan?

[eastie]

Guzan has improved his game over recent months and now looks a capable deputy but given is still a far better goalkeeper - id have no problem with Guzan extending his contract although he may look for regular football elsewhere rather than being a number 2.

Given remains one of the best in the premiership though in my view and is a top class keeper.

[PaulTheVillan]

Given. I think Guzan has done well, but I think Given is the better keeper.

[Monty]

They both consider the ball coming to their feet to mean that they should hoof it, though they're not helped by the defenders' lack of movement. However, I would actually be inclined to stick with Guzan at the moment, he's done nothing wrong and Given would have probably not done better throughout this spell. I heard that some of the players are worried that the manager seems to have favourites, so sticking with Guzan would surely show that, if you're in form, you play.

[Mark H]

Shay is still our number 1 - agree with the comments that Guzan has improved by would pick a fit Given every time

[Chris Harte]

Given for me.

I'd probably have said Guzan until the Swansea game where his poor kick lead to the second goal.

[James]

On the subject of Guzan and his contract, he'll presumably need a work permit? Will he get one as he's hardly played? Anyone know?

[richard moore]

Nice to have the luxury of it being a debate as I was one who never thought Guzan would make it - note to self, don't judge players on a few performances as you also did with Ugo all those years ago Richard

I do like the fact that the award of a pen to the other team is now not the formality it once was with Brad F in goal - he was such a great keeper in so many ways but had that irritating habit of just falling over to one side or the other when facing a pen and never convincing you he had made any real attempt to go for it at all...

[Chris Smith]

Given is the better keeper, if fit he should play.

[Dante Lavelli]

Wouldn't surprise me if Guzan goes in the summer -

Is he out of contract?  How long has Given got left?

Basically I'd be loathed to lose Guzan as he has been superb and added a degree of authority to his previous shop stopping ability.  Without doubt he has time on his side so hopefully he'll be happy with being understudy this season but next season it should be the guy who is in form gets the gloves.

[supertom]

It'll be harsh on Guzan, but Given. We're at a tough juncture in our season. We've got to get to 40 points asap, then we can relax. Given has the respect of his peers and has more than earned it in 15 years at the top. We need all the experience we can get, particularly in helping some of our promising youngsters at the moment.

Guzan's time will come though. He's been excellent since coming into the side.

[PeterWithesShin]

Wouldn't surprise me if Guzan goes in the summer -

Is he out of contract?  How long has Given got left?

Basically I'd be loathed to lose Guzan as he has been superb and added a degree of authority to his previous shop stopping ability.  Without doubt he has time on his side so hopefully he'll be happy with being understudy this season but next season it should be the guy who is in form gets the gloves.

I think his contract is up in the summer.

[SoccerHQ]

Nice to have the luxury of it being a debate as I was one who never thought Guzan would make it - note to self, don't judge players on a few performances as you also did with Ugo all those years ago Richard

I do like the fact that the award of a pen to the other team is now not the formality it once was with Brad F in goal - he was such a great keeper in so many ways but had that irritating habit of just falling over to one side or the other when facing a pen and never convincing you he had made any real attempt to go for it at all...

It was a really strange one with Friedel and pens....he saved loads at Blackburn including twice in one premier league game and I think he's also the only keeper to have saved two penalties in one world cup game. No idea why he lost the art when he signed for us.

As for the poll, I'd keep Guzan in for Everton but think McLeish will go for Given if he's fit enough to start.

[Dante Lavelli]

we certainly do not need to rush given back.  let him have a week of extra training to make sure he's fit and sharp.  It'll boost guzan's confidence and (weirdly/perversely) give him the opportunity to make a mistake in order to justifiably get given back into team.

[philthebar]

I dont deny that Given is a good shot stopper but it remeinds of a game I played in few years ago.  He know nothing about football and even less about goalkeeping

A friend watching said that the oppossition goalkeeper played a blinder throwing himself all over the place whereas where as their attack was rubbish as they kept shooting straight at me.  We wonn 2 - 0

A good shot stopper does not a good goalkeeper make.  I prefer Guzan.

[Toronto Villa]

Brad Guzan is Shay Given's back up. He knows his role and he's done it admirably which should fill us all with a sense of relief. There weren't this many people so confident prior to this recent stint. To suggest though that he is better than Shay Given is ludicrous. A player with tremendous ability and a quality PL record in tow vs a relatively young and inexperienced deputy. We are better team with Shay than without even if Guzan has done well this past few weeks.