Given Heaton played most of the Carling cup games and Marshall has publicly stated Heaton should have the no 1 spot for the final. Does Malky put Heaton in goal for the games up until the final so he has some match practice before the big game?
I think both are prone to lapses in judgement but feel Heaton will need matches to make sure he's as sharp as possible come the final.
I've yet to see a flawless goalkeeper, and certainly both Marshall and Heaton follow that pattern. They also seem to have similar attributes. On the plus side, good shotstoppers - not many better in this division - both have saved our blushes with some fine saves this season to keep the opposition scoreline down. On the downside, Marshall's legedary flapping and Heaton's often poor positional judgement have cost us in the past. Close call to be honest, and not for just the CC games. I think Heaton has been unlucky not to get a few more Championship starts. Marshall still edges it for me at the moment, though I can appreciate the sympathy vote for Heaton in the Final. Bottom line is that we just want to win the bloody thing, and Malky must make an honest judgement on the best way to do just that.
Heaton has justified his final spot and Marshall has gone on record saying that he (Tom) deserves it, but who is going to play in front of him ??
I agree about Marshall Hilts, and I think Malky sees it that way too. If so, why would he then select Heaton? Perhaps he should give Enkleman a shout - he's got Cup Final experience.
Ive heard interviews with Malky where hes said the Carling Cup is Heatons competition. Theres no doubt in my mind that Heaton and Marshall are both aware Heaton is going to play. If he did a U turn I think morale would be hit and I dont see there is that big a difference between the 2 to upset the camp. I really think we are missing Hudson. If hes out id bring Darcy into the side to play alongside Turner. I think we are going to win. Liverpool FC are a joke at the moment and I can see our side piling on the pressure on a manager who on Saturday seemed to have lost the plot.
spot on hilts, heaton will play in the final no doubt, marshall said he understands that heaton deserves to play in the final and he's got us to the final, play him, he could have the game of his life (or completely crumble under the pressure lol). we've never had a top goalkeeper at the club, marshall is good but not excellent, neither is heaton, but the defence in front of them is good
I have like both keepers but if I was to choose I think Marshall is the better of the two but it is marginal. Heaton should start the final as he helped get us there. I know there is no room for sentiment but he deserves his chance, doesn't he?
I agree ronny, Heaton is definitely much better than Marshall when it comes to distribution. He looks for the intelligent roll out to build from the back, whereas Marshall loves to lump it. It frustrates the hell out of me - why doesn't Malky tell him? Other than that, Marshall is less likely to commit errors of judgement that ultimately prove expensive. Heaton's positional play leaves a lot to be desired. We should have come back from the first leg at Palace with a clean sheet - Gardener's goal was a giveaway. At the risk of opening up painfull memories, I remember Lita's looping header in the 0-3 Boro defeat last season that killed us off. When the ball left Lita's head, it seemed to take about 5 minutes to get into the net but Heaton was way too far to his right of his goal to have any chance. "Deserving" the Final jersey maybe a fair shout for him, but I doubt you'd see managers like SAF, Redknapp or Wenger let that decide the issue.
Too soon to call with two more games before the final.As it stands Heaton is nailed on for the final but I think a lot depends upon the next two results.Both Posh and Ipswich have a history of inflicting damage to our goal average and Ipswich have scored 8 in the last two games.As Sussex pointed out,a lot depends upon who plays in front of either keeper.
Was it Heaton in goal v. Boro or Bywater? Also, Heaton wasn't on the bench Saturday. Wrapping him in cotton wool or injured? What is wrong with Hudson? Malky said he could have been back v. Blackpool but wasn't. A week goes by and he's still not included. If still not fit tomorrow then I would go with Darcy alongside Turner. I would also make Turner skipper. Whitts is too quiet and Turner is very vocal in organising the back line. Trouble is Gezza doesn't bloody listen to him.
You got me worried there for a minute Andy. No it was defo Heaton - Bywater would have reached it and then knocked it in. We also had that useless twat Lloyd Samuel in there too - team sheet below: - Cardiff City 22 Heaton 02 McNaughton 12 Keinan Booked 14 Quinn (Chopra - 72' ) 21 Samuel (Koumas - 31' ) 07 Whittingham 10 McPhail (Blake - 46' ) 11 Burke 20 Olofinjana 09 Bothroyd Booked 39 Bellamy Booked
I stand corrected Sparks. God, we were struggling that day with McNuggs at cb and JLS yanked (I said yanked) off after 31 minutes. Of that 14, 7 gone and only McNuggs and Whitts in first choice 11 this season with Keinan and Quinn hardly getting a kick. But what is wrong with Hudson? He signs a new contract then misses the next few games.
Heaton will probably play in the final. If that is the plan then he must play at Ipswich and possibly against Posh on Tuesday. I think we have bigger decisions to make elsewhere in the team though.
