Guzan v Given

[eamonn]

At least we're not conceding in open play but cornalties are rearing their ugly heads again.

[Matt Collins]

A goalkeeper has to take command in those situations. His arguing of the point at the end with the ref' was just looking for an excuse. 

Don't agree, it was a foul

It didn't look too much like one at the game and that was backed up later seeing it on the TV.  He should have been much stronger in that situation and should have took command of the situation.  He wasn't and he didn't.

If he had been 'stronger' you'd have been looking at a penalty and probable sending-off.

When was the last time a goalkeeper got penalized for being a little bit physical?  It just doesn't happen. I think the unwritten rule is you can't touch a goalkeeper but they can do what they want...pretty much. 

Guzan and Given are much of a muchness.  Neither really brilliant and neither really poor.  What is clear to see as peter w has pointed out is that Given is much smaller in stature than Guzan so consequently less upper body strength.  Much easier to arm lock/hold back or whatever people are saying the infringement was that the very close Clattenberg somehow failed to see. 

The big difference is command of the area. Guzan is excellent at that. Given poor. Generally speaking I'd always go Guzan first choice

[ozzjim]

Given has been a great pro, but both goals IMO he should have stopped yesterday. The first is a poor penalty and he committed to early, the second sorry but while it is a foul, he has to be much stronger. In defence though, so do the other defenders.

[Dave Cooper please]

Two clean sheets in a row in vital games is starting to vindicate the decision.

[Matt Collins]

Two clean sheets in a row in vital games is starting to vindicate the decision.

Eh?

I thought his vulnerability at corners was again a problem for us

[Dave Cooper please]

Two clean sheets in a row in vital games is starting to vindicate the decision.

Eh?

I thought his vulnerability at corners was again a problem for us

Ignore me, it's been a long week! I actually have no idea why I thought we had beaten Everton 1-0!

[Goldie.7]

Two clean sheets in a row in vital games is starting to vindicate the decision.

in a row, nope.

[peter w]

Plus we conceded two two games ago. i also thought Given was weak in controlling his area again. the offside goal was well directed but that's the type of header he misses. Nicely taken but I think guzan may have got his hand to it. Maybe I'me being unfair as I haven't seen it from behind the goal to see how well it was finished. I don't know, I'm just not sure about Given and think he's more of a liability than Guzan.

[Goldie.7]

Two clean sheets in a row in vital games is starting to vindicate the decision.

Eh?

I thought his vulnerability at corners was again a problem for us

Ignore me, it's been a long week! I actually have no idea why I thought we had beaten Everton 1-0!

Someone on the radio earlier said the same thing maybe it's in your mind from there 

[Steve R]

I doubt if Coleman or the West Ham lad (Nolan?) would have tried to do what they did if Guzan had been in goal. Given's reputation precedes him. Then again, against West Ham, the foul on the goalkeeper possibly stopped Bacuna conceding a pen.

[silhillvilla]

I suspect the final 3 games will be
Saints - given will play
Burnley - Guzan
Fa cup final - given

[peter w]

I suspect the final 3 games will be
Saints - given will play
Burnley - Guzan
Fa cup final - given

This could be right. I'm just not convinced by Given but you can't drop Given now and then play him in the Cup final as that could knock his confidence. If we're safe then Guzan goes in for Burnley.

[NorthYvillan]

I doubt if Coleman or the West Ham lad (Nolan?) would have tried to do what they did if Guzan had been in goal. Given's reputation precedes him. Then again, against West Ham, the foul on the goalkeeper possibly stopped Bacuna conceding a pen.

Nolan always does this no matter who they are playing - he has since he played for fat Sam at Bolton. Hsvimg Guzan in goal would have made no difference.
In fact I think fat Sam invented the tactic although it was taken up enthusiastically by Pulis at Stoke and othrr teams use it from time to time too. It's just frustrating that referees dont penalise it more often.

[frank black]

Get Guzan back in please. Given is a liability, too weak.

[Ron Manager]

I doubt if Coleman or the West Ham lad (Nolan?) would have tried to do what they did if Guzan had been in goal. Given's reputation precedes him. Then again, against West Ham, the foul on the goalkeeper possibly stopped Bacuna conceding a pen.

Nolan always does this no matter who they are playing - he has since he played for fat Sam at Bolton. Hsvimg Guzan in goal would have made no difference.
In fact I think fat Sam invented the tactic although it was taken up enthusiastically by Pulis at Stoke and othrr teams use it from time to time too. It's just frustrating that referees dont penalise it more often.

Jack Charlton did this under Revie at Leeds in the seventies. That's where Sam Alladyce got the idea from.