Guzan

[Bournvillan]

I was so sick last season of watching us concede goal after goal from set pieces, with Shay given almost always staying rooted to his goal line. Yes he made some saves which earned us some points, but how many points did he cost us? Impossible to say of course but I do know he frustrated the hell out of me. I was gutted when we let Guzan go because from what I've seen of him he is an excellent all round keeper, better than Given at commanding his area, distribution and saving penalties. It's very early days of course, but I think that bringing Guzan back may be the best bit of business that Paul Lambert has done.

[themossman]

What I was really getting at is the fact that it's possible to be pleased about a squad player having a good game without slagging off the player he replaced. Given is a decent keeper and not long ago many were talking about him being the best signing of last summer in near identical terms to this. He's also been one of the few experienced squad members to look like he gives a shit when the going is tough.

[JD]

I'm really pleased for Brad. He has quietly gone about his business never let us down and I was suprised we just released him. Thank God for PL bringing him back and giving him a fair chance  and you have to admire Brad for coming back (in the day and age where a lot of players would have thrown the dummy out the pram). He could be our keeper for the next 10 years. 

[supertom]

Was interesting with Gabby doing a Q&A recently on the official site and according to him, Guzan is the hardest working in training. I do think Guzan seems to have a great attitude. Finally it seems to be rewarded. At times Friedel and Given (more so the latter) were surviving on their reputation, so it was harsh that Guzan never got a chance to shine. Now he's getting his shot. And yes, like mentioned, the fact he came back with minimal fuss, was great. He was promised equal footing, and Lamberts been true to his word thus far.

[Dave]

He has quietly gone about his business never let us down and I was suprised we just released him.

We didn't - he was offered a new contract and he chose (for whatever reason) not to sign it.

[curiousorange]

I saw his BBC interview on Sunday and he seemed to confirm that he thought of himself as just a possible pick from a squad of players. Goalkeeper is one of those positions where once you're in, you're there for a while so to have the attitude, at least in public, of having to work hard to stay there is great.

[JD]

He has quietly gone about his business never let us down and I was suprised we just released him.

We didn't - he was offered a new contract and he chose (for whatever reason) not to sign it.

Sorry Dave I didn't realise that. Makes it all the better that he came back then.

[Risso]

Given is a decent keeper and not long ago many were talking about him being the best signing of last summer

Well, considering the competition that's not saying a lot.

[Monty]

I saw his BBC interview on Sunday and he seemed to confirm that he thought of himself as just a possible pick from a squad of players. Goalkeeper is one of those positions where once you're in, you're there for a while so to have the attitude, at least in public, of having to work hard to stay there is great.

Gabby said recently that Guzan was the hardest trainer in the squad. It didn't surprise me.

He has quietly gone about his business never let us down and I was suprised we just released him.

We didn't - he was offered a new contract and he chose (for whatever reason) not to sign it.

Sorry Dave I didn't realise that. Makes it all the better that he came back then.

It must have been the promise of how much he'd play. Under TSM it was clear he'd never get a shot at number 1, Exhibit A being when he was dropped having outperformed Given when the latter was injured. Lambert must have told him he'd play.

[Daholteend]

I'm really pleased for Brad. He has quietly gone about his business never let us down and I was suprised we just released him. Thank God for PL bringing him back and giving him a fair chance  and you have to admire Brad for coming back (in the day and age where a lot of players would have thrown the dummy out the pram). He could be our keeper for the next 10 years. 

Agreed. Keep these performances   going and there  will be no doubt about that. Guzan's   first half   saves saved  us  from "doing an Everton".  An early goal from the  Swans and  who knows   what the  final score may have been.

Guzan's performance in the first half gave the  defence a  confidence that  we needed unti Lowton scored the go ahead goal.

I like that Guzan has a tendency  to  catch and  hold the ball   thus breaking up an attack  instead of  punching  the ball away  to create another potential strike from the opposition.
A keeper that keeps the ball and puts it back in play  to our players takes the pressure off  our  defenders and gives them time to  catch their breath.

To think that we almost  let  Guzan  walk away on a free transfer  boggles the mind.

[nigel]

An interesting stat I heard before yesterdays game.
After 1 game Brad Guzan is number 1 in Europe (this season) for goalkeeper claiming crosses. I'm assuming that's catching the ball rather than punching.
I loved it yesterday when he came out almost to the edge of the box to claim one ball. The defenders must love that, takes a lot of pressure off them. 

[Pete3206]

It's early days, but I can't see Guzan being shifted unless he gets injured.

[Gaztonniller]

Brad looked very solid yesterday. If he keeps that level of performance up, cant see how PL can drop him.
 

[ktvillan]

I never thought he'd make a PL keeper when I watched him fumbling and flapping at cross after cross against Blackburn in the FA Cup a few seasons ago.  Yet that now seems to be one of his strong points,  which possibly indicates he went away and worked on his weaknesses.  He looks solid now, more so than Given, and I was always a fan of Given.  I also like the way he tries to catch rather than punch or palm it.  Watching Milan v Atalanta last night it was notable how often both keepers chose to palm away relatively straightforward balls that could easily have been caught, and how often such a tactic put their team in danger.

[PaulWinch again]

He has looked great, assured with crosses which is something we haven't had for a long time and great shot stopping as well.