Although the 2-0 final might lead you to believe differently... Brad Friedel had a great game tonight vs. the Gunners... kept his team in it with big point blank saves and good positioning... Arsenal was in control throughout the match and Brad still kept his team in it till the last moments.
Thread started to accommodate FineYoungCasual's post, formerly located at the end of the Friedel contract thread in the regular YA forum.
saw the last half-hour and was very impressed by both Blackburn and Friedel. Big Brad, what can you say... But Blackburn was able to hang with Arsenal better than any team not called Man. U. or Chelsea all year.
OK, I know they're called highlights for a reason, but man, Brad's positioning and rebound control and judgment on when to come out were absolutely perfect. He's lost a bit in the shot-stopping department, but he's still one of the best keepers in the world because he NEVER gives anything away cheaply. Just a great, great, and extremely underrated player. He's been doing this for a season and a half now. (IMHO, he suffered a mini-slump from about 2004 to about 2006. He was merely very good, not great.)