By FRANCO PANIZO
Brad Guzan started 2011 by doing something he did little of last year: he started a match.
Having completed a one-month loan to Hull City, Guzan made his first start at the club level since a Sept. 22 Carling Cup match for Aston Villa on Saturday. Guzan made five saves in his Hull City debut, but the club lost 1-0 to Leicester City.
Guzan wasn't the only player to receive a start after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Zak Whitbread, who made his first appearance after recovering from a calf injury on Dec. 28. started in his first game of the season by helping Norwich City to a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. Whitbread went the distance in the shutout win.
Here is how the Americans Abroad fared this weekend:
England
PREMIERSHIP
- Tim Howard started and played 90 minutes in Everton's 2-0 loss vs. Stoke City on Saturday.
- Clint Dempsey started and played 90 minutes in Fulham's 1-0 loss vs. Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
- Eddie Johnson did not dress for Fulham.
- Brad Friedel started, played 90 minutes, received a yellow card and made four saves in Aston Villa's 3-3 draw vs. Chelsea on Sunday.
- Eric Lichaj dressed but did not play for Aston Villa.
- Marcus Hahnemann dressed but did not play in Wolverhampton Wanderers' 2-0 loss vs. West Ham United on Saturday.
- Jonathan Spector did not dress in West Ham United's 2-0 win vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
- Stuart Holden did not dress in Bolton Wanderers' 2-1 loss vs. Liverpool on Saturday. He is recovering from a thigh injury.
CHAMPIONSHIP
- Conor Doyle started and played 90 minutes in Derby County's 2-1 win vs. Preston North End on Saturday. Doyle and Derby County play Millwall on Monday.
- Zak Whitbread started and played 90 minutes in Norwich City's 1-0 win vs. Queens Park Rangers on Saturday. Whitbread and Norwich City play Middlesbrough on Monday.
- Brad Guzan started, played 90 minutes and made five saves in Hull City's 1-0 loss vs. Leicester City on Saturday. Guzan and Hull City play Portsmouth on Monday.
LEAGUE ONE
- Frank Simek started and played 90 minutes in Carlisle United's 2-2 draw vs. Huddersfield on Saturday. Simek and Carlisle United play Tranmere Rovers on Monday.
- Mike Grella started and played 58 minutes for Carlisle United. Grell and Carlisle United play Tranmere Rovers on Monday.
- Anton Peterlin dressed but did not play in Plymouth Argyle's 0-0 draw vs. Yeovil Town on Saturday.
- Jemal Johnson dressed but did not play in Milton Keynes Dons' 2-0 win vs. Bristol Rovers on Saturday. Johnson and Milton Keynes Dons play Yeovil Town on Monday.
Scotland
PREMIER LEAGUE
- Maurice Edu did not dress in Rangers' 2-0 loss vs. Celtic on Sunday. He is recovering from a knee injury.
DIVISION ONE
- Dominic Cervi did not dress in Dundee's 2-0 win vs. Ross County on Sunday.
Spain
- Jozy Altidore and Villarreal play Almeria on Monday.
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What do you think of these performances? How would you rate Guzan's performance? Impressed by Whitbread helping Norwich City post a cleansheet in his first start?
Share your thoughts below.
Agreed. 🙂
It’s different for keepers. They very rarely win games for you; they can only keep you in contention to win. As long as he doesn’t make mistakes that lose the game for Hull, it will be okay.
In terms of shot stopping a good keeper saves everything he is supposed to save and anything else is gravy. A great one positions himself so that it always looks like the opposition is shooting at the keeper.
Unless he’s getting shelled 5-0 every game, all that action is good for him and for showcasing him, assuming he’s as good as I know he is.
How many times do you read about how so and so had a great game in goal but lost?
If he was playing for a Barcelona he might not touch a ball more than once or twice a half and maybe never have to make a save. In terms of what you want to accomplish with a loan that would not help.
West Ham or Cologne? Both are relegation candidates.
What is interesting about Doyle is how there seems to be so much copy about him on American sites yet when I’ve read them and the English ones as well, I can find almost nothing on whether this guy is any good or not. I did read that he got his start because ever other striker ( all five of them) on the Derby roster were hurt.
And it seems as soon as they got back Doyle sat.
He seems to be playing a bit more now and the Under 20’s have called so that’s good but it’s awful early and there seems to be very little information out there, to be getting all excited about this guy.
I read more reports on Conor Casey when he was in Germany than I have about Conor Doyle.
That just seems…not so smart.
He’s had more luck under other WH managers. If he did reject an offer, maybe he’s banking on Grant, who doesn’t seem to like him, leaving.
FRANCE
can’t wait for the day when US fans are patient about young talent. Has Adu taught us nothing?
Maybe being on a bad team is actually good for Guzan (or any goalkeeper) because he will be tested throughout the entire game.
Which one?
Playing in SPL, one of the other is injured every x weeks.
Edu should get to a gentler league, like EPL or Bundesliga : )
I’m beginning to worry about Maurice Edu’s knee
Landon won good job anyone who voted
Any highlights of guzan’s performance?
I agree, I was just hoping if someone could provide their analysis about his skills sets and what his potential could be and how he looks.
Well it might just be hearsay, but apparently he rejected an offer from Cologne in Germany in hopes of getting a new contract with west ham.
lol maybe he hopes they get relegated.
Seriously guys do itt!
http://apps.facebook.com/fanappz/poll/vote?id=19479
Everyone go here and vote for landon, I want to see our boy win this Sportsnation award
Glad to see Brad Guzan getting the start all ready. I kind of feel bad for him. Is he in the same position as Jozy was in last year, essentially surrounded by a bad team? Getting any game time is good for him, but not good for his confidence if he can’t keep a clean sheet.
a very different kind of site from SBI so i feel okay to say that zonal is probably my favorite site out there. top notch
yep, most likely
Maybe they’ve already arranged his transfer?
I am excited about him too, but I think he should start scoring before talk of him acheiving at the EPL level.
Not 100% positive, but I know it was rumored that he was headed out in the January window.
If that’s the case, then his run of games was likely just an opportunity to showcase his skills, potentially driving up his transfer fee or list of suitors.
What’s more surprising is how on a team as awful at West Ham that he can’t find the field. (Yes I know having the clubs best player–Scott Parker–in your position, if you consider Spector a DM, doesn’t help)
How does Sector go from starting center mid on the verge of a hat trick against ManUre to not even dressing in a matter of weeks? I hope he’s hurt for his sake.
Excited about Conor Doyle continuing to get minutes. I, admitingly, have not seen much of him play but everything I read appears positive. The question is does he have the potential to transfer his game to the top flight or will he remain a Championship level striker? I know the question is unanserable now but any insight on those that have seen him would be awesome, or if you just want to randomly speculate it also be cool lol
ives, love the zonal marking added tab.