Then he (Cumbes) went and played cricket in the summer, those were the daysI think he's one of the top blokes at old Trafford now, don't know if he's still there
It's no coincidence that his removal form the team coincided with our up-turn of results last season. The general aura of panic was removed as soon as Given was brought in top the team, and the effect was visible throughout the whole team.
I don't think there was much of an improvement to the defence when Given came in. We conceded 12 in the last 4 games he started.
Quote from: RussellC on January 18, 2016, 04:37:59 PMIt's no coincidence that his removal form the team coincided with our up-turn of results last season. The general aura of panic was removed as soon as Given was brought in top the team, and the effect was visible throughout the whole team.Guzan was in goal for the wins over West Brom, Spurs and Sunderland. Was dropped after the Man City game, Given came in and conceded two goals against Everton, kept a clean sheet against West Ham (who had one shot on goal) then followed it up by conceding six in his last league match. Eight goals in three matches doesn't sound like a massive improvement to me.
As far as I'm concerned it was no coincidence last season that our upturn of form happened directly after Guzan was dropped, and exactly the same has happened this season. Hopefully this time his absence from the starting line-up will be longer lived.
Quote from: RussellC on January 19, 2016, 11:01:43 AMAs far as I'm concerned it was no coincidence last season that our upturn of form happened directly after Guzan was dropped, and exactly the same has happened this season. Hopefully this time his absence from the starting line-up will be longer lived.That's the point - it didn't happen directly after Guzan was dropped. Unless our "upturn in form" didn't include the wins away at Spurs and Sunderland? What happened was is that there were some good performances with Guzan in goal, some good performances with Given in goal and some pretty shit ones with both of them as well.
Granted. But in my opinion it was the calmness that Given brought to the rest of the side for the games that got us across the line in the League and to the cup final (where I also though he kept the score-line down!) that was crucial. Im not particularly arguing that Given made a huge impact, more that removing Guzan did. Same this time around. I honestly think that wed have been 4 or 5 points better off last season and 2-3 this, had Given/Bunn been the first choice all season.
Just did a quick bit of number crunching on goalies to see how they compare, as it seems that Guzan may well not play again for the 1st team.Obviously, it is unfair to compare different era’s and there’s more to keeping that just conceding goals.Its only a ‘rough’ guide so bear that in mind. The stats are for starts only so don’t include sub appearances or account for sendings off / injures. It only includes goalies who started 25 or more league and cup games. Like I say, just a ‘rough’ guide, so don’t take it too seriously! (plus I haven't actually checked the figures too closely)
Quote from: MorrisNielson on January 15, 2016, 10:53:12 PMJust did a quick bit of number crunching on goalies to see how they compare, as it seems that Guzan may well not play again for the 1st team.Obviously, it is unfair to compare different era’s and there’s more to keeping that just conceding goals.Its only a ‘rough’ guide so bear that in mind. The stats are for starts only so don’t include sub appearances or account for sendings off / injures. It only includes goalies who started 25 or more league and cup games. Like I say, just a ‘rough’ guide, so don’t take it too seriously! (plus I haven't actually checked the figures too closely) Sorry chap but any table that has Jim "careless hands" Cumbes as our best keeper is going to be taken with a shovelful of salt.