Shay Given

[Bowsy]

There was that moment against Coventry when Dion Dublin jumped out of the stands. :D

Ah sure you can hardly blame Shay for that, Dion being such a small unnoticeable character. :)

[tricky_colour]

I wondered why he is on the bench today.

Then I found this.

"Given feared Newcastle axe – Souness"
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=15195

Whats going on?

[eirebhoy]

Jaysus, you're making a bit of a mountain out of a molehill. Given was linked to United and Arsenal as we all know, he went to Souness to ask about it and Souness told him its all rumours and he's safe at Newcastle.

He's on the bench today because they're playing Yeading and Harper is a quality keeper.

[tricky_colour]

Fair enough.

Souness has brough on O'Brian (just gave away free kick :D )

[eirebhoy]

I guarantee you the Souness "anti-Irish" thing will be mentioned in this thread, he's certainly not anti-Irish, he just doesn't get the best of Irish players at his clubs. :) O'Brien better play well, if he does he will be first choice to partner Boumsong, thats how open it is at the club.

[4tothefloor]

I guarantee you the Souness "anti-Irish" thing will be mentioned in this thread, he's certainly not anti-Irish, he just doesn't get the best of Irish players at his clubs. :) O'Brien better play well, if he does he will be first choice to partner Boumsong, thats how open it is at the club.

You've just mentioned it yourself :rolleyes: :D

[eirebhoy]

sorry, should have said "would have" and not in the way I mentioned it.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

I agree with eirebhoy. I dont think Souness is anti-Irish. I think you'll find that it was him who got the best out of Damien Duff, not his predecessor, Brian Kidd. I even heard one time that Souness is married to a cousin of the legendary Dickie Rock. :)

[eirebhoy]

Maybe he has played better this season but he was absolutely superb against Arsenal today and IMO was his best game of the season. For those that didn't see it, here's a few cuts from the Sky report:
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/LIST.ASP?HLID=251549

Ashley Cole sent over an inviting cross towards Robert Pires whose mis-hit header fell nicely to Mathieu Flamini six yards out, but he could not find a way past Shay Given.

...Arsenal went close to adding a second two minutes later when Henry picked up a pass from Jose Antonio Reyes on the edge of the box before turning and firing in a shot which Given did well to touch round the post at full stretch.

...Henry had a chance to end his goalscoring drought four minutes after the break when he won a free kick on the edge of his box after being fouled by Jean-Alain Boumsong, but his shot was punched out by Given.

...Henry came within inches of scoring a second just past the hour mark when he raced clear onto Vieira's pass and poked a shot goalwards, but Given did well to push the ball onto the post before it rebounded into his arms.

...Arsenal really should have doubled their lead a minute later when Henry brilliantly dummied Reyes's pass to give Pires a sight of goal, but Given produced a fantastic save to keep out the Frenchman's shot.

...Given was keeping Newcastle in the contest - proving to be a one-man barrier between Arsenal and a second goal - and the Irishman denied Henry again on 75 minutes with a brilliant right-handed save after Henry had cleverly swapped passes with Pires.

http://sport.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=4037767

Shay Given: Outstanding, defiant display – forced into flying action frequently. Fine saves when Henry (twice) and Pires were clear. Man of the match. 9

The Arsenal fans on the BBC message board, when asked would they rather Given or Cudicini, most people think its a non-contest in favour of the Irishman.


The boys were superb and really got stuck in. If it wasn't for Super Shay Given we'd have thumped them for 6!


If God was a gooner, Given would be at Arsenal

[brine3]

He might have played himself into an Arsenal shirt today.

Maybe Wenger thinks he owes Cudicini a contract after he gifted them wins over Chelsea a couple of times. :D

[eirebhoy]

Henry:

“It was a better performance – and if Shay Given wasn’t there it would have been a lot more goals for us.

“One goal is enough to win the game. It’s better to put one or two more in, but sometimes goalkeepers have great games. It was one of those days for him.

“When other strikers don’t score it doesn’t matter, but when I don’t it does matter.

“It’s not only down to me. Everyone was going forward together, and sometimes that’s the way it is; you hit the post and goalkeeper has a great game.”

[tricky_colour]

Great to see he is on form.
A good keeper gives confidence to the defense.

[Cowboy]

he was world class no question, lightning reflexes. As an Arsenal fan I'd be happy to see him signed

[Plastic Paddy]

And Sky still gave the Man of the Match award to Patrick Vieira. Go figure. :rolleyes:

:ball: PP

[Karlos]

Given was super no doubt!

Not surprised by Sky giving the man of the match to Vieira though - he was awesome yesterday - the best he's played for a long while.

So here's hoping Mr. Dein gives Mr. Shepard a call with an open cheque book!

[SÓC]

Easily MOTM......The sad planters claim he was born in Derry......we know he was born in Lifford! ;)

Free Derry or Tír Chonaill, dont matter still Ireland:D

[Peadar]

Brilliant performance and I thought he shaded it in terms of MoTM considering that Vieira got himself booked.
Perhaps Shay was out to impress a potential employer!?
That said, I still think Almunia is very underrated and Shay would probably only be cover to him if he moved during this transfer period.
Being a massive 32 points off the top and a mere 13 points off the bottom, Shay must be questioning his future.

[Peadar]

:rolleyes: Have you been drinking? ;) :confused:

He's a very good keeper, just needs time to settle.

[Hibs4Ever]

I have to agree with Davros, although the new Arsenal 'keeper could come good, there's no way Given would be second to him at any team. I think Cech is probably the only other 'keeper in the league that Shay wouldn't get ahead of for their team

[Stuttgart88]

New Arsenal keeper:

Great shot stopper & great kick (both feet). Absolutely no command of his penalty box.

He's not as bad as people have made out but he's not of the standard that a team like Arsenal need to challenge for the PL and CL.

Given is a model of consistency and is just what Arsenal need. He's cup-tied for Europe and will be relatively expensive though. Van Der Saar will be cheap and is not cup-tied for Europe.

[roboyle]

New Arsenal keeper:

Great shot stopper & great kick (both feet). Absolutely no command of his penalty box.

He's not as bad as people have made out but he's not of the standard that a team like Arsenal need to challenge for the PL and CL.

Given is a model of consistency and is just what Arsenal need. He's cup-tied for Europe and will be relatively expensive though. Van Der Saar will be cheap and is not cup-tied for Europe.

I think Van Der Saar just signed a new contracct with Fulham too, so he'd be expensive as well...
To be fair to Almunia, he was kinda thrown into the deep end at the end of last year, under pressure from the very beginning but he was alert to that late Bowyer chance - he deserves a run in the Arsenal team now, regardless of who they sign...

[Stuttgart88]

Given,IMO is currently is in the top 3-4 in the EPL!

And he has been for some time. IMO Kiely is up there too. Neither has the status with the English press that he deserves for one obvious reason. Awful shame about Kiely's retirement.

[Peadar]

whilst Spurs & Everton have Leeds rejects!

Richard Wright is former Arsenal.


Given,IMO is currently is in the top 3-4 in the EPL!

So what you're really saying is that he's there because there are so many crap keepers in the Premiership?
He needs to go to a club with greater ambitions than one who employs Graeme Souness

[Peadar]

Everton's rightful first choice is Nigel Martyn;Cornwall's No.1!

He's out injured with over a month and at his age may not make it back to being good enough.


Agreed,but at least he gets plenty of practice playing for the (Car)'toon' army! :D

Players can get into the habit of losing.
It's important to taste victory every once in a while.
I can't see Shay going anywhere before the summer to be honest.
Arsenal are more likely to purchase a mid-field player than a 'keeper.
They can always recall Taylor from his loan agreement at Leicester.

[eirebhoy]

If Arsenal are looking to buy a keeper I'd love it to be Shay but I'd prefer if they didn't buy a keeper and Stack got a chance next season.

[Peadar]

I'd prefer if they didn't buy a keeper and Stack got a chance next season.

He could be in jail next season.
It's likely that Wenger wont want him at the club anymore.
Pennant was bagged after a crash at the weekend and I'd say he'll get the door too. Wenger is very strict about his "clean living" policy.

[eirebhoy]

He could be in jail next season.
It's likely that Wenger wont want him at the club anymore.
Pennant was bagged after a crash at the weekend and I'd say he'll get the door too. Wenger is very strict about his "clean living" policy.
Innocent before... :)

[pineapple stu]

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/3569808.stm) included Given in their Team of the Week, but Given, Kiely, Duff, Roy Keane and Holland all got nominated in the squad (viewers can assemble their own team on the website). Nice to see so many Irish seemingly doing well...

By the way, Robinson's hardly a Leeds reject, is he? They sold him 'cos they were broke?

Nigel Martyn'll be back for this season anyway I'd say. His form has been outstanding all season - quality keeper.

[Peadar]

Innocent before... :)

I said "could."

[Slash/ED]

That said, I still think Almunia is very underrated and Shay would probably only be cover to him if he moved during this transfer period.


You must be joking, he is absolutley woeful. I can't see (m)any other people picking him over Given if they had a choice.

[Peadar]

You must be joking, he is absolutley woeful.

I would suspect that I've seen more of him than you.
He's far from woeful and I agree that Given is better than him but I think Wenger has put his faith in him so he may not be too quick to replace him.
When all is said and done, your opinion and mine matters little to Arsene Wenger when he sits down to pick his team.

[Stuttgart88]

When all is said and done, your opinion and mine matters little to Arsene Wenger when he sits down to pick his team.
Despite his fantastic achievements and the exciting football they play at times, he really has had a blind spot when it comes to goalies and centre-halves. And Irish players I suspect too. Carr & Given spring to mind. Even Kiely.

For all the Vieiras and Henrys he's discovered he has a lot to answer for with Shabaan, Grimandi, Stepanovs, Cygan etc.

[Éanna]

Almunia will come good i recokn, he just needs time.

back to Given- IMO, he's up there with the best in the world at the moment. Buffon and Casillas are the only 2 I'd rate higher than him

[Slash/ED]

To be fair Martyn, when he did play for England, didn't cover himself in glory. I remember him really costing england in euro 2000, but at club level it was a different story, absolutley top keeper and still one of the better ones in the premiership.

[Karlos]

Despite his fantastic achievements and the exciting football they play at times, he really has had a blind spot when it comes to goalies and centre-halves. And Irish players I suspect too. Carr & Given spring to mind. Even Kiely.

For all the Vieiras and Henrys he's discovered he has a lot to answer for with Shabaan, Grimandi, Stepanovs, Cygan etc.

In fairness he did have Seaman for most of his time at Arsenal and all other keepers were signed or brought through as backup (Manninger, Wright, Shabann, Almunia & Stack) and in Lehmann a keeper who played in 48 of the 49 game unbeaten run. I'm just surprised he dropped Lehmann when he did. In fairness to Shabban also he played three or four games and then broke his leg. I remember him shimmying past Sheringham on his debut and he looked the part - unfortunate timing for him i think.

The Grimster however is an Arsenal Legend! Great servant to the club and was never intended to be a world beater having been signed in his prime (28) - his two double medals were well earned. There's no excuse for Stephanovs however!

As for Carr I would have loved to get him 3 years ago but the job Lauren has done at right-back has been exceptional (considering he is a converted midfielder) and certainly wouldn't swap him now particulary with all his injury troubles over the last few years. Besides it was highly unlikely on the back of the Sol Campbell affair that Spurs would have done business with Arsenal unless the player was out of contract - I fear it will be the same with Ledley King.

Would love Given without doubt but Lehmann is the man for me, he should be re-instated in my opinion although do agree that Almunia's actual goals conceded record has been impressive enough so far and the level of critisicm has been unfair.

For what's it worth, I also think the level of critisicm for howard and carroll is a bit extreme. When you look at the stats (although you will all disagree! :p ) at this stage last year Lehmann's record in goal was every bit as impressive as Cech's, statistically anyway! Don't get me wrong Cech is excellent but like Lehmann last year your job is made easier when you have the best defence in the league in front of you - will be interesting to see how he does if they wobble or he drops a c******! (fingers crossed on that! :p

edit: since when is C1anger a naughty word! :confused:

[Slash/ED]

I fear it will be the same with Ledley King.


I don't see what the fuss is about tbh. They're asking for 20m for a rank average defender? I know English players generally are woefully over priced but that takes the ****, you could buy two or three defenders of equal or greater ability for that money.

[Karlos]

I don't see what the fuss is about tbh. They're asking for 20m for a rank average defender? I know English players generally are woefully over priced but that takes the ****, you could buy two or three defenders of equal or greater ability for that money.

agree with the overpricing and we definetly wouldn't pay that kind of money for him and undoubtedly we would have to pay more than anyone else (with the exception of Chelsea)to get him given the history - I understand that was the case with Carr - we were quoted silly figures a few years back!

[Metrostars]

I have to agree with carlosirl about Cech. Sure he's a good keeper but it's too early to say whether he is the best goalkeeper in the premiership right now. Look at Lehman last year or even Howard. This time last year everyone was oohing and awwing about Howard the way they are with Cech this year but once the defense crumbles, being a great goalkeeper really tells.

You have to look at longevity and Given is up there in a group of Friedel, Niemi and Kiely who play with suspect defenses yet proved they are great goalkeepers.

[pineapple stu]

edit: since when is C1anger a naughty word! :confused:
S****horpe (as in the Division Three football club) is also censored - that give you a hint?! Just got an unfortunate middle...I think on some board "snigger" comes up as "sblack person"!

[Stuttgart88]

I have to agree with carlosirl about Cech. Sure he's a good keeper but it's too early to say whether he is the best goalkeeper in the premiership right now. Look at Lehman last year or even Howard. This time last year everyone was oohing and awwing about Howard the way they are with Cech this year but once the defense crumbles, being a great goalkeeper really tells.

You have to look at longevity and Given is up there in a group of Friedel, Niemi and Kiely who play with suspect defenses yet proved they are great goalkeepers.

Good point about Cech. However, purely based on the one time I've seen him live for Chelsea, he just looked immense. Not just his great saves but he had a real presence, something all players will say they appreciate in a 'keeper. I swa him at Chelsea vs CSKA Moscow and he and Terry were sheer class, everybody else being inferior to the Russians on the night.

The only time I've seen Almunia live was at Arsenal vs Rosenborg. Enough said! As I said above he can stop shots well as he's agile and has good reflexes but he has no presence IMO and he makes his team-mates nervous. I know all about this, trust me. I played goalie and centre-half in LSL and AUL for years. I know all bout my defenders losing faith in their goalie. :)

However, does anyone remember Cech's cameo at Lansdowne Raod in the 2-1 win over Czech Rep.? I think he came on at half-time and looked a bag of nerves throughout. I remember thinking "Cool, Chelsea have bought a dud here". Not one of my better calls!

I'm not sure I agree with KarlosIRL about Grimandi. I'm an Arsenal fan but Wenger's biggest weakness at Highbury has been lack of discipline. Until recently anyway. I just got sick of Grimandi's sly little elbows and stamps and general indisciplined behaviour and I was glad to see the back of him.

[Karlos]

I'm not sure I agree with KarlosIRL about Grimandi. I'm an Arsenal fan but Wenger's biggest weakness at Highbury has been lack of discipline. Until recently anyway. I just got sick of Grimandi's sly little elbows and stamps and general indisciplined behaviour and I was glad to see the back of him.

Yep agreed, he was a bit of a menace and likely to get sent off but in a pure footballing sence for what we paid for him - he was a great servant and value for money. You never heard a moan from him playing out of position or not playing at all, never threatened to leave - came in and did a job whenever he was asked and always gave 100%. He's a good example to kids of what being a team player is all about.

He's also a lovely guy too having met him once and also he personally replies to e-mails from his website - which in this day and age of the modern footballers is quite rare and much appreciated! Saying that he was prone to the odd argie bargie but I can live with that for the contribution he made and the collection of trophies he helped gain. He's one of those players who has a cult following, you either love him or hate him and I know plently who feel the same way you do. It's similar with Gilberto, many don't rate him, others appreciate him. :D

[Pat O' Banton]

Think that Wenger once rated Grimandi as one of his most important signings as he played such an good role in getting the French and English players to mix better which helped team spirit.

[Peadar]

he has a lot to answer for with Shabaan.

He's on trial with Spurs.
The Great Martin Jol must see something in him... :D

[Stuttgart88]

He broke his leg taking a goal kick at Old Trafford. What an athlete.

He was totally brutal away to Roma. And he looked about 2 stone overweight.

The words bung and envelope spring to mind, again.

[Karlos]

He broke his leg taking a goal kick at Old Trafford. What an athlete.

He was totally brutal away to Roma. And he looked about 2 stone overweight.

The words bung and envelope spring to mind, again.


correction - he got injured against Man Utd - thigh muscle. He broke his leg in a training ground incident while he was coming back from the initial injury on christmas eve. What an athlete! the words 'get' 'facts' and 'right' spring to mind! :D

He conceded one goal away in Rome in a 3-1 arsenal win, hardly disasterous and didn't really have to make to many saves in that game. Arsenal strolled the second half.

Will be great to see him at Spurs - considering we put 5 past England's number 1, Rami might help us get 10! :D

[Peadar]

correction - he got injured against Man Utd - thigh muscle. He broke his leg in a training ground incident while he was coming back from the initial injury on christmas eve. What an athlete! the words 'get' 'facts' and 'right' spring to mind! :D


Yeah, I remember he broke his leg in a collision with a teammate during training. Really nasty break and had to have surgery on it.
Wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Best of luck to him, wherever he goes.

[Stuttgart88]

I stand corrected about the injury so! :) I just remember him hobbling off and next I heard he had a broken leg so I put 2 and 2 together...

He did look pretty hefty though, wouldn't you agree?

I thought he was at fault for Roma's goal. I've a vague recollection of a parry straight to their goal scorer. He looked unconvincing everytime I've seen him , including against Spurs, and I like to think I can spot a decent 'keeper.

PS: if either of you two Arsenal regulars can help get me a couple of tickets for Bayern I'd be really grateful.

I don't think this thread has anything to do with Shay anymore!

[Karlos]

yeah remeber the incident at Roma your talking about - might be wrong but was that not the one when ne parried it to Totti and Cygan headed it off the goal line? I think Cassano got the goal but not 100% on that! Yeah your right, he was a hefty lad alright!

Can't help on the ticket front I'm afraid - the tickets are going on sale tomorrow for silver members and will probably be snapped up very quickly. Will be trying to get tickets myself. The problem with silver members is most won't sell on their ticket unless they know you for fear of losing the place on the silver list should their be any problems with people touting the tickets or causing trouble in the ground. There are of course touts that somehow got onto the list and they will be selling tickets. I've not bought a ticket off a tout yet at Highbury and hope i never have to but I hate saying it's probably the only way to get one these days. Hopefully Ashburton Grove will mean a lot more tickets available for these big games.

p.s. obligitory line re: Shay Given to avoid rubbish bin removal - I think Shay is great! :D

[Peadar]

PS: if either of you two Arsenal regulars can help get me a couple of tickets for Bayern I'd be really grateful.

They go on sale tomorrow but members are limited to 1 ticket each.
Only one more season of reduced capacity to contend with though.

*Edit* I think Shay is great too. ;)

[Stuttgart88]

I've not bought a ticket off a tout yet at Highbury and hope i never have to but I hate saying it's probably the only way to get one these days.

I bought one for face value for the FA Cup match vs Blackburn a few years ago. I got busted by the cops on CCTV ! It's an offence to buy a ticket from a tout here.

I think Shay's got funny sideburns.