Clean sheets.

[SoccerHQ]

I understand today we kept something known in football as a "clean sheet." Can't say I've heard this terminology before so can anyone explain what it means in simple terms, does it mean Gabby didn't strike lucky in Norwich town centre last night?

[PaulWinch again]

It's certainly a relief and I have to say our centre halves were both very good today. They didn't make any stupid mistakes(I'm not counting the pen as it shouldn't have been given).

[eamonn]

Woah...back up the truck. Someone as knowledgeable and logical about discussing Villa as SoccerHQand you've never heard of a clean sheet?!
Gordon(Joe) Bennett!

[Chipsticks]

Huge, huge props to Guzan for this. Also nice to see Clark put in a notable display, he tends to get a harsh time on here.

[Mortimer's Bear]

Huge, huge props to Guzan for this. Also nice to see Clark put in a notable display, he tends to get a harsh time on here.

Indeed he does, hopefully the struggles he endured last season will help develop him into a top player.

[Chipsticks]

Huge, huge props to Guzan for this. Also nice to see Clark put in a notable display, he tends to get a harsh time on here.

Indeed he does, hopefully the struggles he endured last season will help develop him into a top player.

Always rated him, but I'd love to see Lambert try playing him as an anchorman in midfield behind Delph and Westwood, I think he'd be better suited for that role, but what do I know.

[olaftab]

I like to have clean sheets every year whether are not they need changing!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

It's certainly a relief and I have to say our centre halves were both very good today. They didn't make any stupid mistakes(I'm not counting the pen as it shouldn't have been given).

It's the "relief" that leads to the need for clean sheets!;-)

Didn't see the pen clearly - will watch MOTD for the detail/replays/analysis/still disagree when they say it was!

[danlanza]

I have clean sheets tonight as well. Fancy that.

[Diablo]

So if not letting a goal in equates to a clean sheet, how many goals equal a very dirty soiled sheet? And what is the term for the sheet after that Chelski game before Christmas last season?

[peter w]

I had a feeling after the pen that we'd not concede today. Didn't stop me constantly going upstairs in the last 10 minutes or so though.

[eamonn]

Why, is that where the clean sheets are kept?

[Damo70]

I got quite emotional at the final whistle as I didn't think I would ever see us keep a PL clean sheet ever again. Credit to the keeper and defence, although Tony M looked dodgy at times. Good penalty save and some other good saves from Guzan including one worldy. Considering some of the ones I've seen not given so far this season the penalty award was a joke.

[Gregorys Boy]

I was quite surprised I thought we would win, but did expect there to be quite a few goals so didn't expect a clean sheet.

So lets hope it will give the defence confidence.  I like Clark too, think he has a good character, is good in the air and a goal threat from set plays too.  Getting the defence right is important this season, as if we defend like last year we will likely end up at the wrong end of the table again, but with a keeper in great form and some promising young players, plus Vlaar hopefully things will start to take shape. 

The other key point is to stop giving the ball away so much and cut out silly errors.

[ez]

Maybe it refers to a sheet of paper on which goals conceded are noted. If there are none it's a clean sheet.