Guzan v Given

[peter w]

True but what Arsenal thrive on is space. if you become tough to break down then they aren't as fluent with the ball in the final 3rd. In saying that I don't want to see us sit back, try and keep it tight, and then to lose it 1-0 in the 78th minute when Given drops the ball from a corner or something.

[RussellC]

To be honest - and I hope to God that I'm not cursing anything here - we've been surprisingly solid at defending set-pieces since Sherwood came in. Even in the Cup game against the Baggies, when we had a particularly short side and they had at least 5 players over 6ft, we were relatively untroubled.

[OCD]

We weren't very solid at defending set-pieces in games like QPR where we didn't have men on the posts. We obviously changed that for the semi-final being as Richardson cleared one off the line.

[RussellC]

We weren't very solid at defending set-pieces in games like QPR where we didn't have men on the posts. We obviously changed that for the semi-final being as Richardson cleared one off the line.

That's very true actually. I guess, as you say, it's good that it took one incident for us to actually rectify the problem, rather than watch us defend set-pieces dreadfully for a whole season under Lambert before we improved.

[old man villa fan]

To be honest - and I hope to God that I'm not cursing anything here - we've been surprisingly solid at defending set-pieces since Sherwood came in. Even in the Cup game against the Baggies, when we had a particularly short side and they had at least 5 players over 6ft, we were relatively untroubled.

I don't think we are good at defending set-pieces.  Our marking is not good and we are not powerful enough in clearing the ball.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If we can give Guzan the feet of Given we've got the best keeper in the league.

[robbo1874]

I'd have the goose for Southampton and given for Wembley. And I'd have probably already told both of them that so they know what they have to focus on. Guzan will know he'll be back to first choice next season. If the squad stays intact over the summer it's not inconceivable that we could be back there in a final next season and he'll get his shot then

[PeterWithesShin]

Brad for Burnley and the final. His kicking may be suspect but Given worries the hell out of me, even before today. That's 8 in 3 games shipped, and he hasn't looked comfortable in the last 2 home games.

[Toronto Villa]

Brad for Burnley and the final. His kicking may be suspect but Given worries the hell out of me, even before today. That's 8 in 3 games shipped, and he hasn't looked comfortable in the last 2 home games.

Yep. We all know Given is a good shot stopper but Guzan is better all round. Wouldn't surprise me to see a new number 1 keeper at the club next year though.

[Villatillidie1982]

Given looked like an old man today.

[Gerrin]

Given looked like an old man today.

That's exactly what I thought, yesterday's man, he can't play week in week out. Mind BT's compilation of Guzan's howlers this season didn't make pretty viewing.

[PaulTheVillan]

We need a totally new keeper.

[PaulTheVillan]

If we can give Guzan the feet of Given we've got the best keeper in the league.

Seriously?

[martin o`who??]

Tim has an extra problem to ponder I think.

[olaftab]

Guzan please next week and at Wembley