Shay Given

[Stuttgart88]

You should be worried,
didn't someone here say that Mo'N is on record somewhere as saying that if Shay is fit, he'll be the nr 1, just as he was against Scotland and Germany in those do or die games.
Someone said that someone said that MON said somewhere...

I'd be surprised tbh. If nothing else, O'Neill can see how good an asset Randolph's kicks are.

[geysir]

Someone said that someone said that MON said somewhere...

I'd be surprised tbh. If nothing else, O'Neill can see how good an asset Randolph's kicks are.
Perhaps I should have waited another 3 days before posting.

[Stuttgart88]

Given is injured and won't play for Stoke at the weekend. Some Hungarian bloke will play at Swansea.

[seanfhear]

Given is injured and won't play for Stoke at the weekend. Some Hungarian bloke will play at Swansea.Is he a goal keeper or just any hungarian bloke ?

[geysir]

Is this a first, where implied relief is expressed at one of our players not making their club first team due to injury?:)

Even if Shay was fit he'd still be behind the Hungarian goalie.

[DeLorean]

Is he a goal keeper or just any hungarian bloke ?

That's exactly what Liverpool fans ask about Bogdan.

[DeLorean]

Given is injured and won't play for Stoke at the weekend. Some Hungarian bloke will play at Swansea.

He's actually a upcapped 23 year old Dane, Jakob Haugaard. He's played two games for Stoke, both in the F.A. Cup.


Even if Shay was fit he'd still be behind the Hungarian goalie.

How do we know this?

[Stuttgart88]

Because Geysir says so. Duh.

[DeLorean]

Because Geysir says so. Duh.

The fact that he was happy to follow your lead on the Hungarian thing makes me dubious about his credentials :)

[geysir]

Stutts thought I was serious about someone, somewhere said something, so I assumed Stutts was overly serious about things like facts:)

Not definite but in all probability I think he would have anyway been chosen over a newly recovered but still ring rusty, Shay.
Jakob in line (http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Jakob-Haugaard-line-Premier-League-bow/story-29003073-detail/story.html)
"The 39-year-old is hoping for game time – not least to stake his own claim for a place at the European Championships – but has only been gradually stepping up his comeback.
Jakob Haugaard has made two Stoke appearances in the FA Cup.
Instead, 23-year-old Haugaard is in line to make his top-flight bow in a home match against Swansea on Saturday, 10 months after joining from then Danish champions FC Midtjylland.
The 6ft 5in stopper has impressed with his shot stopping and distribution in FA Cup outings at Doncaster and Crystal Palace and has been trusted as Butland's deputy during Given's recovery."

[DeLorean]

Not definite but in all probability I think he would have anyway been chosen over a newly recovered but still ring rusty, Shay.

Probably, I thought you were taking Given's injury out of the equation altogether.

[OwlsFan]

I saw the interview on Sky (where else). MON pretty much said that if Given is fit, he travels. Not the end of the world provided he remains the third choice keeper behind Elliott and Randolph. If he starts him, now that would be a different story.

[tetsujin1979]

if Given is back to fitness, and Elliot's injury is as bad as expected, then he'll probably go to France, with Randolph and Forde

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

There should be an olive branch with Westwood.

In my opinion it is madness to bring three goalkeepers who aren't first choice at their clubs.

[geysir]

The universe is sorting out the path for Shay to regain his (rightful) nr 1 spot.
He will be 40 when he takes up his position in goals for us in France, older than Buffon.

[Charlie Darwin]

The universe is sorting out the path for Shay to regain his (rightful) nr 1 spot.
He will be 40 when he takes up his position in goals for us in France, older than Buffon.
He's older than Buffon now too. In fact he always has been.

[geysir]

He's older than Buffon now too. In fact he always has been.
Yes Charlie thanks for the information that you are aware that our Shay has always been older than Buffon.
If he was younger, then no doubt you would have let us know that he was alway younger.:D

But we just happen to be playing Italy in the finals and Buffon is the acclaimed veteran goalkeeper on his last foray. In the possible event of our Shay making the line up, it would indeed be a remarkable achievement and in doing so he would outage the celebrated aged.
But i do appreciate that would be my fantasy send off for Shay, one of the very few top class consummate professionals to have ever donned the national shirt.

[Charlie Darwin]

I just wanted to say it before Paul waded in to tell us he's suspected for years that Buffon is younger than Given :)

I like Shay but I'd just worry he's not physically at a good level anymore, through no fault of his own. Hopefully if he gets a good run at Stoke he'll prove me wrong.

[geysir]

Shay is fit but shelved (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stoke-snub-puts-dent-in-givens-euro-hopes-34592232.html)

Jakob Haugaard is in line to be selected ahead of the Donegal man for the meeting with Swansea City.Given has declared himself fit after spending five months sidelined with a knee injury. This opportunity, however, may have come too soon for the veteran stopper. "I know who is playing and the lad knows," was as much as Hughes would reveal. "Everybody else can wait and see."

[DeLorean]

From a Stoke point of view it makes a lot more sense playing Haugaard. They'll probably need him next season until Butland returns also. He'll either sink or swim but it's an ideal opportunity to throw him and find out if they need reinforcements in the summer. Shay will just have to hope he sinks, and quickly.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

The case against Shay.

http://www.the42.ie/shay-given-euro-2016-2705333-Apr2016/

(http://www.the42.ie/shay-given-euro-2016-2705333-Apr2016/)Really enjoying these kinda articles on 42 lately, have to say.

[OwlsFan]

The case against Shay.

http://www.the42.ie/shay-given-euro-2016-2705333-Apr2016/

(http://www.the42.ie/shay-given-euro-2016-2705333-Apr2016/)Really enjoying these kinda articles on 42 lately, have to say.

Have to say that I agree with most of that articles and it is also 4 years on from Euro 2012 but whether Martin agrees is slightly more important :)

[DeLorean]

Yeah, 1 & 4 are practically the same thing though.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Given starts....

[DeLorean]

Blameless for the goals, a couple of saves, the best early on from Kane. Could have easily conceded six or seven as Tottenham were simply awesome.

[DeLorean]

Started again at his old stomping ground. Whelan started also.

[tetsujin1979]

Off at half time with an injury

[DeLorean]

Meanwhile Kieren Westwood is keeping Sheffield Wednesday in the game at the iPro Stadium.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Off at half time with an injury

Insanity if Martin indulges this any longer.

[SwanVsDalton]

To take him would be a big risk worth trying only if he was playing well or crucial to the team. Kiss and make up with DJ Westwood, Martin, and thank Shay for his efforts.

[OwlsFan]

Off at half time with an injury

Hope it's nothing minor (sad to say I know for a great servant but next we'll hear that Packie Bonner is in the frame if Shay doesn't make it and that Giles may be offered a holding role in midfield).

[DeLorean]

Hope it's nothing minor (sad to say I know for a great servant but next we'll hear that Packie Bonner is in the frame if Shay doesn't make it and that Giles may be offered a holding role in midfield).

Giles doesn't believe in the holding role so that's a non-runner. :)

[DeLorean]

I was looking at the list of internationals with more than 100 caps (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_footballers_with_100_or_more_caps) the other day. I thought it was kind of interesting that Given is tied with Sergio Ramos on 131, despite making his debut nine years earlier. Clearly only a fraction of Given's caps came in the last few years so the figures are totally skewed. It's impressive by Sergio Ramos more than anything considering he's only just turned 30, God knows what he'll end up with.

A bit of a pointless post but anyway.

[DeLorean]

No, he could still be "in the know" but just disguising it.

Darren Norris (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/how-the-irish-faredkeirenwestwood-primed-to-capitalise-on-shay-given-woe-394864.html) clearly isn't 'in the know' either but is doing a lot of speculating, speculation which includes Sheffield Wednesday not only securing their playoff spot but making the final at Wembley. Considering the final is on the day after The Netherlands friendly I'm not sure that it would be the best thing for his Ireland chances, but who knows.

[OwlsFan]

I was looking at the list of internationals with more than 100 caps (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_footballers_with_100_or_more_caps) the other day. I thought it was kind of interesting that Given is tied with Sergio Ramos on 131, despite making his debut nine years earlier. Clearly only a fraction of Given's caps came in the last few years so the figures are totally skewed. It's impressive by Sergio Ramos more than anything considering he's only just turned 30, God knows what he'll end up with.

A bit of a pointless post but anyway.

Robbie could jump up a few places to possibly 22nd with a few sub appearances.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I sincerely doubt that Shay would be starting games of any significant importance for Stoke. I think ol' Sparky is doing him a favor.

I think he's going to start in June. Despite the fact that he played injured in 2012, went off injured against Germany, can barely stay fit for three consecutive games, turned down regular football with the downside that has on his maintaining any kind of decent fitness level etc etc.

[DeLorean]

I sincerely doubt that Shay would be starting games of any significant importance for Stoke. I think ol' Sparky is doing him a favor.

I don't think Hughes had much to lose as that Danish fella didn't look too great anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

Would have been funny if Randolph's late header had gone in.

[DannyInvincible]

I sincerely doubt that Shay would be starting games of any significant importance for Stoke. I think ol' Sparky is doing him a favor.

I think he's going to start in June. Despite the fact that he played injured in 2012, went off injured against Germany, can barely stay fit for three consecutive games, turned down regular football with the downside that has on his maintaining any kind of decent fitness level etc etc.


Obviously, he wouldn't be starting if Butland was available, but what are games of "significant importance"? The two other back-up keepers - Haugaard and Bachmann - are also relative rookies, certainly, but, as you know, Shay started ahead of them against Spurs and Manchester City - two top-four teams - last month: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/PlayerDetails?playerID=2898&seasonID=145

And a favour for what exactly? Why would Hughes choose an inferior keeper (if he, for argument's sake, felt the same way about Shay as you do) and heighten the risk of conceding goals just to do Shay a favour? It'd be unprofessional.

I think the chance of Shay being our first-choice keeper in June is exceptionally slim. He might make the squad, but I'd be astonished if he was first-choice. I think Randolph will get the nod as he's been capable (and his kicking is good; Shay's is laboured and he's generally less agile now), although I'd personally prefer Westwood.

[BonnieShels]

While I would be blaming the defender for Stoke's concession today. Shay was abysmal in his reactions. I REALLY don't want to see him play in the Euros at all.

[seanfhear]

I only saw the motd highlights but Randolph didn't have a great highlights package either. Given has not been playing and I certainly would not be promoting him.

Kieren Westwood pushed his credentials without even playing.

Its a pity that he and Martin O Neill don't seem to get on !

[DeLorean]

Kieren Westwood pushed his credentials without even playing.

He'll have a chance of pushing them further tonight when presumably he'll be busier than he was on Friday. He's our best goalkeeper by a distance, I don't think it's even close.

[Stuttgart88]

I wonder does the fact that MON used Elliott in one of the recent friendlies send a message that the position is very much up for grabs still? Would be nice if Westwood started at least one of the friendlies, but it looks like only Belarus will be possible.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He'll have a chance of pushing them further tonight when presumably he'll be busier than he was on Friday. He's our best goalkeeper by a distance, I don't think it's even close.

Westwood and Delaney are arguably our best goalkeeper and CB respectively IMO.

[eitoof]

Lucky to be picked.
It should have been Forde, Westwood and Randolph.

[DeLorean]

I think if Forde was picked he could have considered himself pretty lucky too.

[eitoof]

I think if Forde was picked he could have considered himself pretty lucky too.

True. But I think Forde deserved the spot on the basis of his heroics in the qualification games.

[geysir]

True. But I think Forde deserved the spot on the basis of his heroics in the qualification games.
That was last season when he was decent to very good.
This season he has hardly played for a 3rd level team in the english league.
Perhaps he's not as sprightly as he was.

[BonnieShels]

Shay has announced his international retirement. Again.

Yyyyaaaaayyyy.

Thanks for everything (til 2012).

http://m.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/0728/805558-shay-given-calls-time-on-international-career/

[SkStu]

Good luck Shay. You kind of got very annoying there for a while but you were a fantastic servant and one of the best keepers in the premier league for a few seasons.

Irish legend.