So, who's going to be wearing the #1 jersey this season? And who would be your first choice if YBR decides to stick with the same numbers as last season?

PS. Nice to see Rob Lee back with #7. LKD has been demoted to #8 - a better number for his role IMHO.

-- Anonymous, July 15, 2000

Answers

There is nothing much to choose between the pair of them as far as shot stopping goes. Harper edges it on crosses, and wins it by a country mile on management of back passes. It'll be interesting to see who responds best to the run with the ball option

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2000

IMO, Harper is slightly the better of the two. They're both good reflex keepers, but Harper is better on crosses, kicks rather better and generally exudes more confidence to his defence.
While he's not poor on crosses, to me Given doesn't always seem confident on them, and seems to make the defence gittery. His kicking was never as bad as it was made out to be, but he does have occasional problems.
I have to say that IMO neither of them has the commanding presence I feel a successful team needs, but Harper deserves an extended run to prove his worth - one way or the other.

-- Anonymous, July 16, 2000