Blues boss Kieran McKenna has praised second-choice keeper Vaclav Hladky, who he believes is as good with his feet as any number one in the country.

Czech-born Hladky, 32, is set to make his eighth appearance of the season, all in cups, when the Blues host Burnley in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.

“Vaz has been great, I have to say, both on and off the pitch,” McKenna said. “I think his performances this season have been really, really good. In the cup games he has played in, I think he has been really, really good.

“As he has said himself, the style of keeper he is suits the team. I don’t think there are many better in English football with his feet than Vaz.

“He’s a really good professional. He supports Christian, he pushes Christian every single day, he is very, very good in training, very calm, trains well every day. A consummate professional and we are delighted to have him here.”

Photo: Matchday Images

village_blue added 15:51 - Jan 27 If the boss thinks he's that good with his feet then play him, as Walton has been poor with his feet recently.
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Linkboy13 added 15:54 - Jan 27 He's better with his feet than he is with his hands.
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ArnieM added 16:12 - Jan 27 Which is more important for a GK …, hands or feet, though?
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Bert added 16:35 - Jan 27 With Walton not at his best, I would be happy to see Hlady starting a league game as well as Saturday's cup tie.
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SpiritOfJohn added 17:20 - Jan 27 If Hladky plays exceptionally well against Burnley (with feet and hands) he could put himself back into the reckoning. This will be the first time for a while that he has played in front of a big crowd. He hasn't done a lot wrong in the previous cup games, but he hasn't been too busy either!
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Suffolkboy added 17:23 - Jan 27 It's absolutely impossible for anyone to go through a season of whatever sport on too too form ; highs and lows will occur for reasons often out of anyone's control , but as they say ‘class is permanent ,form is temporary ‘ – and CW has shown many excellent attributes . We and K M will make allowances for a duo here and there – AND that's why we have and need a good second in line ! COYB

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TimmyH added 17:32 - Jan 27 Better get him out upfront then...unfortunately for Hladky not so good with his hands :)
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Fatboy added 17:42 - Jan 27 He's made me nervous in the cup this season by resting his foot on the ball and then rolling it away with his studs before passing it, often with an opposition striker closing in. To be fair, it hasn't gone wrong yet - let's hope it doesn't tomorrow!
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Linkboy13 added 17:44 - Jan 27 Walton's standard's have dropped slightly but not enough to leave him out of the team. If i was playing centre back i know who i would want behind me. Hladky is an excellent number 2 but is not great at crosses .
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ipswichboi added 23:18 - Jan 27 walton going through a blip that was hopefully halted on Tuesday night. Would have been a nice confidence boost for him. Barely had a save to make and did the right things with the ball at his feet. Hladky unlucky as he is a decent enough GK, but we have the best/2nd best in the league ahead of him.
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Bazza8564 added 09:19 - Jan 28 I agree with Ipswich Boi, hopefully weve seen CW's edgy patch go away. Clearly he is getting better at that floated ball out which means he's less worried about an aggressive press.
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