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Just curious on opinions here. I believe 2 years back Given ran the show until the semi-final and then Hart took over. We have had a great run in the Cup so far with Pantilimon doing everything asked of him. Do we stick with Costel or go to Joe at this point. It is one thing to advance us this far, it is another to play your first match at Wembley.

IMO, the semis are very important and thus deserve the best team, so Hart, although I am not implying that Costel makes howlers or something.

What's more,if there is a penalty shoot-out, I think Hart's knowledge of the way Lampard and other English players take penalties might come in handy, like the last game.

Panto definitely should be keeper. He is decent and wasted as a second choice.

I'm a big fan of big Joe but while I believe him to be a truly excellent stopper I think that Costel has shaded him in the game time he's played this season. That's not to say that Joe's not been good for us - more the case that he's had a couple of so so games when compared with last season.
I believe that we need to have 2 fantastic keepers in out squad and that if the club feels that Costel isn't good enough to play in the rest of our FAC run then they ought to replace him with a keeper who they judge to be good enough for the 'serious' games.
IMO the fact of the matter is that Costel is good enough and may indeed need to prove it week in week out if JH ever breaks a bone.
From what I've seen of the fella, he has greater command of his area, is better at dealing with set pieces /crosses into the box and is quicker and more accurate in his distribution, he can also get down very quickly and spread wide as proven in a recent 1 on 1 situation that he handled with consummate ease (it's not all been down to our flawless defending!).

If team selection's in my remit then Costel will be between the sticks at Wembley - twice this year - but it ain't my choice and it ain't your choice, it's down to Bobby M and I'll how my support for whoever he chooses to wear the gloves on the day.

If we were running away with the league I would be happy with taking a chance on Panti. We aint and this could be our only chance of silverwear this season so would go with Hart. Would feel for the bloke but this is what becomes of being second choice.

ruralblue wrote:If we were running away with the league I would be happy with taking a chance on Panti. We aint and this could be our only chance of silverwear this season so would go with Hart. Would feel for the bloke but this is what becomes of being second choice.

My point was that he hasn't been second choice in the FAC games and that he's also proven better than Joe in many respects. I suppose that I should respond to your opinion and put the case that we'd not be so far behind in the PL if Costel had been in net for those games too. In all honesty, Joe hasn't been at his best this season as I'm sure you'll have noted - I think we'd be at least 7 points better off were it not for a few goals let in that the 2011/12 season Joe Hart would have saved (think that van plunker free kick - ouch!).

No waffle , plain and simple ......


Big game players for a fucking massive game ................. simples !

City64 wrote:No waffle , plain and simple ......


Big game players for a fucking massive game ................. simples !

I'm with you all the way C64, and they don't come bigger than Costel does do they eh?

Panti deserves to be there 100%.

carl_feedthegoat wrote:Panti deserves to be there 100%.

And lescott

carl_feedthegoat wrote:Panti deserves to be there 100%.

You're right Carl, it would be unfair and send the wrong signals i think. The guy has been in good form in the cup and i think he deserves a chance at Wembley.

how many goals has pants conceded in the cup so far?

Nigels Tackle wrote:how many goals has pants conceded in the cup so far?

Exactly ...

Without doubt Joe Hart.

Pantillimon has done a great job in the FA Cup this season but this is a semi-final against one of the best teams in the country and we need our best goalkeeper and Hart is that.

I'd stick with Pantillimon but I reckon Mancini will go with Hart.

i'll trust bobby's tactical genius and man management skills

Isaksson

Panti played when we beat them in the community shield (granted he dropped a clanger in that one!)

Nigels Tackle wrote:how many goals has pants conceded in the cup so far?

And how many decent teams have we faced in the cup? I get your point mate but he just hasn't seen much action in any of the games. It's likely that he'll see more action in this game than all the others combined. Hart is in Chelsea's head as well so he would have to be my choice. Any one have a problem going back to panti in the final if we win? We'd be facing another second rate side.

Dwaring wrote:
And how many decent teams have we faced in the cup? I get your point mate but he just hasn't seen much action in any of the games. It's likely that he'll see more action in this game than all the others combined. Hart is in Chelsea's head as well so he would have to be my choice. Any one have a problem going back to panti in the final if we win? We'd be facing another second rate side.

My thoughts too, tho I feel horrible for panti.