Shay Given

[SwanVsDalton]

Shay has to be out the door. In fairness Hart's a great young goalkeeper and has had a great game today. According to speculation there could be something of a goalkeeper merry-go-round in the offing, with Schwarzer, Friedel, Alumunia and Given all in the mix. Would love to see him at Arsenal personally though Fulham, with Mark Hughes, might be a more likely destination.

[Razors left peg]

I cant believe that someone of Shays quality doesnt have a queue of top Champions League clubs lining up to sign him. Its madness that he might have to settle for a mid table Premiership club.

[SwanVsDalton]

I agree but he's been consistently underrated in the Premiership. Arsenal's his best hope - I hope he stays well clear of Celtic.

[seanfhear]

The problem is that Mega oil bucks city will probably not sell Shay to one of their rivals in the premier league.

Would a big club from one of the other european leagues come in for him and if they did would Shay go for it. Sadly I would not put Glasgow Celtic in this bracket.

[Charlie Darwin]

An Italian side could come in for him on Trap's recommendation. The Italians aren't as hung up about having 11 foot goalkeepers as the English.

[Stuttgart88]

I hear Joe Hart is on his way to Buckingham Palce to get knighted this evening.

Wenger is rumoured to be looking at all kinds of goalkeeping opitions: £18mm for Lloris, £11mm for the Italian guy who replaced Buffon (name escapes me), Schwarzer for £2mm (despite having shown all his old failings at the World Cup)...

He should just test City with a £6mm offer for Shay. Let Shay hand in a tranmsfer request and it could all be dealt with. The surprise of Shay never attracting interest from Wenger is that over the years Shay has almost always played brilliantly at Arsenal.

[yapster]

In fairness Shay wasn't really bang on form this last year for club & country it must be said, he had a dislocated shoulder which is a serious injury for a keeper so Mancini must have that in mind, Arsenal would have signed Shay ages ago and so would have Ferguson.Shay is also 34 I think and Mancini is aware of that also. Shay is a very good keeper but no way is he the best in the world, Buffon.Castillos & Van der Sar & Cech are better all round keepers.

[Noelys Guitar]

Wages and City rivals will be the key to any move. Top European teams tend to look down on the standard of "home grown" as in English/Irish/Scottish/Welsh Premiership keepers. You never see a top European side bidding for "home grown" keepers in the Premiership. Ever. So I can't see that changing for Shay no matter what Trap might be saying. And City are unlikely to sell/loan to Arsenal a main rival. So it will have to be a side who is not seen as a rival to City. And one who can afford his wages. Fulham and Sunderland are the only two that spring to mind. If I was Shay I would keep my head down for the next 6 to 8 weeks at City until Mancini is shown the door. The first defeat and Mancini will bring Shay back and probably blame hart. I'm not convinced by the Italian and he is definetely no better a manager than Hughes.

[boovidge]

In fairness Shay wasn't really bang on form this last year for club & country it must be said, he had a dislocated shoulder which is a serious injury for a keeper so Mancini must have that in mind, Arsenal would have signed Shay ages ago and so would have Ferguson.Shay is also 34 I think and Mancini is aware of that also. Shay is a very good keeper but no way is he the best in the world, Buffon.Castillos & Van der Sar & Cech are better all round keepers.


How can Shay's age be a reason why he's dropped if Van der Sar's a better keeper at the age of 40?

[yapster]

How can Shay's age be a reason why he's dropped if Van der Sar's a better keeper at the age of 40?

Who knows maybe Mancini prefers a keeper whos younger, btw Van der Sar is a way better keeper than Given.

[elroy]

Who knows maybe Mancini prefers a keeper whos younger, btw Van der Sar is a way better keeper than Given.

Way better?? Seriously, come on.

Given did not deserved to be dropped but I had a feeling Mancini would give into the pressure that the English media would exert. As an English keeper, Hart is bound to commit a howler soon, hopefully. Not good for Shay to be sitting on the bench and he certainly doesnt deserve to be there.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm not sure we should be taking too seriously the opinion of somebody who rates "Castillos" over Given. Or should I say "Gavin"?

[elroy]

I'm not sure we should be taking too seriously the opinion of somebody who rates "Castillos" over Given. Or should I say "Gavin"?

Last persons opinion that id take seriously here but sometimes its hard not to bite.

The sum of that opinion is pretty much along these lines..............

At the end of the day, every Irish player is rubbish or past it son. A few of the youngsters i have hopes for but in reality they wont make it either son. Stephen Ireland now there is a top player son.

WUM comes to mind.

[yapster]

Pat Jennings was the best ever keeper Ireland produced followed by Shay Given, Packie Bonner I didn't rate though he was a lucky keeper. Ireland has not produced enough of quality keepers down the years it must be said. Yes Given is still a more than capable keeper but as I say no top club or top european side has ever tried to sign him. A fantastic shot-stopper but has a weakness in coming for crosses and commanding his defence. I would like him to be at a top club and he was mad to go to City imo as that club is a joke.

[yapster]

I'm not sure we should be taking too seriously the opinion of somebody who rates "Castillos" over Given. Or should I say "Gavin"?


Mistake in the spelling thats all

[Charlie Darwin]

Seems more like a mistake in not knowing what his name is.

[yapster]

Last persons opinion that id take seriously here but sometimes its hard not to bite.

The sum of that opinion is pretty much along these lines..............

At the end of the day, every Irish player is rubbish or past it son. A few of the youngsters i have hopes for but in reality they wont make it either son. Stephen Ireland now there is a top player son.

WUM comes to mind.


Given,Dunne,Duff & Keane are the only quality players Ireland have, Doyle needs to score more in club & international level and S.Ireland is the best midfielder Ireland has produced in a while.


no wum son

[yapster]

Seems more like a mistake in not knowing what his name is.


No son

[yapster]

Way better?? Seriously, come on.

Given did not deserved to be dropped but I had a feeling Mancini would give into the pressure that the English media would exert. As an English keeper, Hart is bound to commit a howler soon, hopefully. Not good for Shay to be sitting on the bench and he certainly doesnt deserve to be there.


This "pressure from the english media' is total delusion and I'm sure Mancini is his own man.

[tommy_c12000]

This "pressure from the english media' is total delusion and I'm sure Mancini is his own man.

Don't think the "pressure from the english media is total delusion" at all. Given was outstanding for Man City last season and was unquestionably their No.1. He missed the last game due to injury. He worked hard to successfully get back to full fitness in time for the new season and Mancini rewards him by dropping him. The simple fact of the matter is that Shay was Man City's stand out player last season and should still be comfortably their No.1. Hart had a good spell at Birmingham and is a good keeper. Partly due to the dire need for England to have a competent keeper, the English media have built Hart up to be England's next Gordon Banks and Mancini has succumbed to their tirades.

Mancini is a bluffer and will be gone from City before Xmas. His signings over the summer have been derisory and his treatment of Shay nothing short of disgraceful. Even though Hart had his day in the sun today, the old adage of "form is temporary but class is permanent" comes to mind. Mancini will regret this one. Time to make ur move Arsene...................

[shakermaker1982]

No disrespect to Hart but they were all bog standard saves. I don't know why Gray and Darke were so excited. Hart could make a howler next week and Given is back in. Will Given wait though? I cannot see City loaning him to a club like Arsenal because it's a rival for a top 4 placing. Fulham would be his best bet.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think City will need to worry about "top four rivals" this season if today's performance is anything to go by.

[shakermaker1982]

City were much improved in the second half. It's going to take time for a team to gel after so many summer signings. They should be there or there abouts at the end of the season.

[Noelys Guitar]

I thought that was a very poor spurs performance today shakermaker. Arry is a bluffer himself but when you see Platt on the sidelines pointing out god knows what to Johnson you know the City Experiment will end in tears as well. Platt, Arry, Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond have been around clubs that for some reason have not done well. Spurs and City are going nowhere with these crews. As for Mancini. Fergie, Ancelotti and Wenger could not dream up better foes. They are laughing at these morons.

[Charlie Darwin]

Wouldn't agree with that. Spurs' all-round play is very good (as it was today) but they're lacking in quality in front of goal.

City were almost aggressively defensive, too, and even the best teams sometimes struggle to break down negative sides.

[Noelys Guitar]

So what are Spurs and City Going to win this year? Nothing in my opinion. After spending huge amounts of money (particulary City) they both end up with nothing. Quite probably not even a Champions League Place. I must have watched a different game today. I saw exactly the same teams I saw last year except I felt both had gone slightly backwards.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well very few teams ever win anything. It's very likely that Chelsea and Manchester United will do another clean sweep. Doesn't mean all the other teams are awful.

[Stuttgart88]

http://www.skysports.com/football/transfer_clockwatch

Shay being told he can look for a new club.

[geysir]

Superior sources pretty much say the same thing.
from the Guardian

England's new first choice Hart made a similar threat some weeks ago, meaning City boss Mancini is under pressure to let one of his internationals leave. The Italian refused to reveal what he would do were a rival club to bid for Given before the transfer window closes.
"I hope it doesn't arrive. I hope that Shay can stay here with us," said the Italian, who confirmed Hart would be his number one "for now". "We have time, another 20 days, until the end of the market. I respect every decision, but I hope that Shay stays here."

[Noelys Guitar]

If Shay does move to Fulham. And Hughes gets his other reported targets like Bellamy then Fulham might well have a chance of finishing above of man City. Now that would be funny.

[Noelys Guitar]

Warren Barton (close friend of Given, Shearer and Speed) just said on Fox Soccer that Given is moving to Arsenal . Great move for both Given and Arsenal if it comes off.

[Charlie Darwin]

Martin Tyler on Sky Sports basically said Arsenal will sign "a goalkeeper" in the next few hours. would be delighted if it was Gavin.

[greendeiseboy]

Martin Tyler on Sky Sports basically said Arsenal will sign "a goalkeeper" in the next few hours. would be delighted if it was Gavin.

Would prefer if it was Given:cool:

[Charlie Darwin]

Castillos is the man for me.

[Stuttgart88]

Casillas I think you mean!

Almunia was iffy again today. Totally flapping at a cross and beaten at his near post by Ngog. Given as number one, Almunia as number 2 would be quite a strong GK roster at Arsenal, but I doubt Almunia would settle for that.

[shakermaker1982]

I think it will be Schwarzer on his way to the emirates. A shame because Given would do a fantastic job.

[rebelmusic]

If its Schwarzer i'd say almost 95% Given will be loaned to Fulham. Could well be a deal that lets Man City take him back if injuries happen to prevent a repeat of last season. I still think Hart's inexperience will cost them though. Given could recover from a bad game easily, I think if Hart has a shocker it'll start a chain reaction. Time will tell!

[geysir]

You can get odds of 4/1 against Shay going to Arsenal.
Given v Harte is debatable but Given V Schwarzer is a no brainer.

Wenger should delegate the task of selecting a goalkeeper to somebody else.

[The Fly]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3097060/Arsene-Wenger-is-Given-big-headache.html


-----------------

The rumour swirling around on the main Manchester City forum, is that Shay's mooted loan move to Arsenal is now a done deal.
Fingers crossed!

[geysir]

That's the first Sun article that I have ever read from start to finish - spot on and entertaining.

[OwlsFan]

That's the first Sun article that I have ever read from start to finish

You just looked at the pictures instead ;) ?

[geysir]

:eek:
Ahem ahem, I am a new convert to The Sun paper for its (not tits) sport coverage.

[KK77]

In fairness, is Shay in his prime or coming out of it? He's no spring chicken anymore, coming off an injury. I hope he plays until he is 50 but we have to be realistic. He might not have many "Prime of his career" years left actually.

I would have to agree with you. From Mancini's point of view what does he do....play Shay and lose Hart then 2/3 years down the line when Shay is finished and Hart is playing for another top team in premier league. I think himself and City would look silly so as much as i love Shay i think Mancini made the right choice for Man City.

[Noelys Guitar]

Barry Glendenning in the Guardian having a pop at Shay's abilities
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/16/five-things-we-learned scroll down to Given article

[jbyrne]

Barry Glendenning in the Guardian having a pop at Shay's abilities
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/16/five-things-we-learned scroll down to Given article

its not so long since birmingham fans were accusing hart as having the same shortcomings in his game...

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2009/10/28/birmingham-city-time-to-drop-joe-hart-fans-have-their-say-97319-25033072/

....they seemed to rate doyle higher.

shay has been one of the best keepers in the premier lge for the last 10 seasons. no goalkeeper is perfect. get out of city quickly shay... its all going to end in tears at that club

[Predator]

Barry Glendenning in the Guardian having a pop at Shay's abilities
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/16/five-things-we-learned scroll down to Given article


...but it's telling that Given still isn't being linked with a move to a top club playing Champions League football in England or abroad. Their scouts have obviously seen the shortcomings – an inability to command his penalty area and a reluctance to come off his line for crosses – hordes of the player's army of fanatical Irish cheerleaders refuse to accept exist.Every player has their shortcomings Barry, but Given is quite clearly considered to be one of the best 'keepers around, no matter how much you'd like to ignore it. That's why Man City bought him for £6+ million in their bid to build an All-Star team. That's why many sources (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/6817601/Premier-League-team-of-the-decade-Henry-Winters-Noughties-XI.html)in the media have named him the best Premiership goalkeeper of his generation. That's why the likes of Trapattoni, Tardelli and numerous others (even Mancini!) have lavished praise on his ability.

Who knows what clubs are considering an offer for Given? Maybe he's out of most clubs' price range; maybe the clubs who should want Given already have decent 'keepers. We won't really know until offers are made. You say no top clubs have been linked to Given but Given has, as far as I'm aware, been linked to Arsenal, who are, I would imagine, a top club, playing Champions League football.

Hordes of fanatical Irish fans? What's this all about? He has hordes of fans all right, not all of them are Irish, many of them are fanatical.

[Charlie Darwin]

...but it's telling that Given still isn't being linked with a move to a top club playing Champions League football in England or abroad.
Arsenal playing in the Europa League this year then?

[SkStu]

I would have to agree with you. From Mancini's point of view what does he do....play Shay and lose Hart then 2/3 years down the line when Shay is finished and Hart is playing for another top team in premier league. I think himself and City would look silly so as much as i love Shay i think Mancini made the right choice for Man City.

thats a really good point RafaB - not one that i had considered myself.

[tetsujin1979]

Hart to start tomorrow against Timisoara in Romania: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1314273_hart_will_start_against_timisoara

[paul_oshea]

I would have to agree with you. From Mancini's point of view what does he do....play Shay and lose Hart then 2/3 years down the line when Shay is finished and Hart is playing for another top team in premier league. I think himself and City would look silly so as much as i love Shay i think Mancini made the right choice for Man City.


thats a really good point RafaB - not one that i had considered myself.

But sure thats exactly what it is, its the media in england wanted tehir number 1 keeper playing first team football, capello having a word and mancini realising that for the short term gains its just not worth it, playing given over hart.

On that though Mancini is obviouslly thinking he is there long term....

Who is in Europe this year? I mean Europa league? Perhaps given could be giong on loan to a team at that level..hence why he is not being picked to play tomorrow..fulham aren't though.