Shay Given

[drummerboy]

I watched Nicky Colgan make a horrendous mistake on his debut for Barnsley. Surely there is a better alternative to Colgan as understudy to Shay Given. I know Paddy Kenny is in the squad. But how is the likes Murphy (West Brom) getting on. If anyhing happens to Shay, Brian Kerr will have to get down on his knees and beg Dean Kiely to return.

[Peadar]

If anyhing happens to Shay, Brian Kerr will have to get down on his knees and beg Dean Kiely to return.

Graham Stack is a very capable replacement.
No worries.
Big strong brave lad.
In my opinion he's better than Colgan and Kenny.
Hopefully his loan spell at Millwall will get him some more first team football this season.

[Bowsy]

The reason we lost Kiely was he was never seen as Shay's equal but just as cover. It should've been competitive as to who was Ireland's No 1 as Deano is at least as good as Shay. Very bad mistake on McCarthy's part.
I personally like Paddy Kenny. Bit lardy and unspectacular but does the simple stuff very well which is the main thing you want from your keeper. Stack is first choice at Millwall this year. Megson has brought in another keeper at West Brom(Polish No2 i think) so things not looking good for Murphy. Lot of promising underage Keepers but you know how long it takes for players in that position to come through. Always liked the look of Dan Connor at Waterford.

[Adrianovic]

As much as I dislike the man due to club commitments, Paddy Kenny would be able to do a job for us between the sticks. He does cover the goal well for a fella of his size, and has been one of the best keepers outside the top flight in England for the past few seasons.

Maybe you're being a bit harsh on Nicky Colgan though, every keeper has his **** ups, no matter how good. Schmeichel had a dodgy kick vs Barnsley once, Seaman and Nayim and Macedonia and the ill fated dribble against Leicester where Tony Cottee (I think) caught him out and David James any given Saturday.

I haven't seen a lot of Stack, though it does sound encouraging that he is getting some first team action. I don't know if Murphy quite has enough to make the grade at this level, might make a few squads though, given we aren't blessed with so many goalkeepers.

Would you say Shay Given would be a good bet to end up being Ireland's most capped player ever come the end of his career?

Ade

[eirebhoy]

The reason Kiely retired was because he was travelling to the likes of Iran knowing quite well he'll be sitting on the bench for 90 minutes when he could be making use of that time with his family. I'm sure he'd come back if he knew he'd be getting his game (ie. an injury to Given).

[1MickCollins]

The reason Kiely retired was because he was travelling to the likes of Iran knowing quite well he'll be sitting on the bench for 90 minutes when he could be making use of that time with his family. I'm sure he'd come back if he knew he'd be getting his game (ie. an injury to Given).

Kiely certainly got a bum deal, I don't remember him playing very many competitive games for Ireland, away to Turkey in that play-off was probably the most important game. He is every bit as good as Shay Given and McCarthy should have played him at least against group minnows. Kerr could have given him time as well but played Shay in those first friendlies. I don't blame him for leaving, definitely our loss.

[1MickCollins]

In terms of cover I don't think Colgan is really international class.

Kenny is probably our #2.

Murphy needs a new club.

Stack is probably going to get first team football at Millwall so we will soon know how good he is.

And Darren Ward moving to Norwich may mean Barry Roche gets a shot again at Forest though realistically he will be #2 behind Gerrard.

[BobbySands]

I'd say Stack will get his chance before too long. He seemed to do well last season in the Arsenal League cup campaign. It'll be interesting to see how he does at Millwall. A few decent months should see him make the squad. No offence to Nicky Colgan but Hibs and Barnsley hardly inspire confidence.

[eirebhoy]

Kerr could have given him time as well but played Shay in those first friendlies.
Kiely started Kerr's first match in charge against Scotland. Given played the next 2 competitive matches and then Kiely retired.

[Adrianovic]

And Darren Ward moving to Norwich may mean Barry Roche gets a shot again at Forest though realistically he will be #2 behind Gerrard.

I wouldn't think Roche will amount to anymore than a second division goalkeeper, he really isn't the quality. He just looks nervous the whole time, and after the coffee cup incident at Pride Park, he's now tagged the Kenco Kid!

Ade

[1MickCollins]

Kiely started Kerr's first match in charge against Scotland. Given played the next 2 competitive matches and then Kiely retired.

You're right my memory is terrible, but stll I think Kiely would have stayed if he was was given some competitive games. There would be a lot of people who would say Kiely is a better keeper than Given anyhow.

[Pauro 76]

the coffee cup incident at Pride Park, he's now tagged the Kenco Kid!

Ade

:confused:

[Lionel Ritchie]

Kiely certainly got a bum deal, I don't remember him playing very many competitive games for Ireland, away to Turkey in that play-off was probably the most important game. He is every bit as good as Shay Given and McCarthy should have played him at least against group minnows. Kerr could have given him time as well but played Shay in those first friendlies. I don't blame him for leaving, definitely our loss.

Nor do I in truth. Surely no one has carried more traffic cones and ball bags for Ireland. Was even overlooked when Steve Harper was keeping Shay out of the Newcastle team. Read a brilliant story about him involving the Saipan disaster. Seemingly after Roy and Micks ..ahem ...frank exchange of opinions followed by Roys departure the room fell silent. After a couple of minutes Mick, in a low tone, asked the squad if anyone wanted to say anything. Silence for a few seconds -then Kiely pipes up "Boss I think I can do a job for you in midfield if I'm needed"

[Adrianovic]

:confused:


Sorry, in gag.

The story is Forest were playing their greatest rivals Derby at Pride Park last season and someone past it backed to Roche, but just before it got to him it hit a coffee cup, it bobbled and as a result he scuffed his clearance to a striker and they got a goal.

He's known as the Kenco Kid in training and to the fans.

Ade

[Krusty The Mon]

Given is looking v. shakey lately but Donegal Mafia will see to it that his position as Ireland's no.1 is not up for grabs no matter what so speculation is useless. So only no hopers need apply for the place on subs bench.

[brine3]

It's not his fault Newcastle are playing a left back in the centre.

[Stuttgart88]

Saw brief highlights of Millwall's weekend game on the BBC London News. They showed Stack making 4 really good saves, when each time it looked more likely there'd be a goal. I also think he has now kept 4 consecutive clean sheets.

He's young, getting regular first team football and is bang in form. Colgan is the wrong side of 30 and his career is in a slide. There's no benefit in carrying Colgan as a third choice keeper and Stack would surely benefit from international squad involvement. Easy decision in my view. Drop Colgan altogether.

I also agree that Kiely would step in in the event of a crisis.

[Greenbod]

I don't believe Kerr would ask Kiely to step in were Given to be injured. What sort of message would that send to the likes of Colgan, Murphy, Kenny and Stack? Lads, you're in the squad but really have no chance! Kiely has retired. Kerr is not that kind of man-manager. Given plus three of the above would have to be injured before Kiely would be asked.

[roboyle]

I don't believe Kerr would ask Kiely to step in were Given to be injured. What sort of message would that send to the likes of Colgan, Murphy, Kenny and Stack? Lads, you're in the squad but really have no chance! Kiely has retired. Kerr is not that kind of man-manager. Given plus three of the above would have to be injured before Kiely would be asked.

Yeah, I think, even in the event of an injury to Given, Kenny & Colgan (in that order) would be promoted to first team football... I have alot of respect of Stack as a goalie and if I were Kerr and Stack was getting a decent amount of football under his belt, I would have Stack as second choice. To be fair to Given, he has been very consistent for Ireland these last few years, I remember especially the play-off match with Iran at Lansdowne when he'd nothing to do for so much of the match and then was called on late in the match to make a number of (as it turned out) very important saves. I doubt anyone here is asking whether Given should be dropped cos of Newcastle's results recently but it was interesting to note that last season, Newcastle didn't win a game in the Premiership til the sixth match...

[thecorner]

haviong a bit of mare today against bolton...fault of the 2 goals i reckon

[drummerboy]

Either his pending fatherhood is affecting him or the talk of a €15 million move to Man Utd. Perhaps the child has been born and its keeping him awake. Definitely not himself today. Stephen Carr also had a mare and got the dreaded hook.

[tricky_colour]

Maybe he fancied a move to Man U or Arsenal and didn't like
the £15m price tag, hence affecting his concentration?
It was atough game for a keeper I thouoght, but he went
for some balls he had little change of getting.

[thejollyrodger]

he looked dodgy alright ! hope its just a temporary thing. Probably thinking about the wife and child back home (i hope).

just wait for it now ...... given ? **** has he went down hill, time Ireland chucked him and looked for a new goal keeper :rolleyes:

[Irish_Praha]

Come on one bad game and you're writing him off. When a keeper makes a mistake it usually results in a goal so it's easy to spot. How many games has he played for Ireland and Newcastle so far this year where he was outstanding? One bad game a bad player doesn't make :) just the same as Delap scoring 2 goals over the weekend doesn't make him a world-class striker. Consistency is the key and I'm sure Given will bounce back. 15 million is a bit excessive though.

[thecorner]

nobody writing him off.just stating he was having a mare

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

I listened to the game on Radio Five Live and one of the commentators seemed to be giving Sahy a tough time throughout the match. I saw the goals on tv last night. Clearly, Shay made 2 mistakes. However, they were not howlers. All 'keepers make mistakes. No doubt Shay had his mind on other things yesterday.

[tricky_colour]

I loved it a few years back when one of my English friends suggested
Given as the next English goalkeeper, (having been impressed by him),
I really hated having to point out that he was the Irish National
keeper :D
Prior to his two mishaps he has been in great form pulling off some
real world class saves.

[Littlest Hobo]

he looked dodgy alright ! hope its just a temporary thing. Probably thinking about the wife and child back home (i hope).

just wait for it now ...... given ? **** has he went down hill, time Ireland chucked him and looked for a new goal keeper :rolleyes:

Up the flag pole again there jolly ;) Given is probably the best keeper in the premiership. If geezers like you start deciding the irish lineup, then we can all forget abouth those german lessons :D

[thecorner]

Up the flag pole again there jolly ;) Given is probably the best keeper in the premiership.


ah come on...hes good but not the best

only blackburn and W.B.A. have left in more goals than newcastle this season :eek:

[zinedineontour]

Given is by far and away the best keeper in the premiership. He has shown consistency for a number of years now and if he was english would get a much better press over the sea

[Closed Account 2]

He's a good keeper, hes had maybe one bad game for Newcastle this season. Cant remember the last time he had a bad game for us, he was outstanding in Basle the other month and was the only reason the Swiss didnt put more past us.

Also playing with Carr and O'Brien in front of him every week should improve our defence hopefully.

Who else could we play anyway ? Paddy "Arbuckle" seems like a decent keeper, one of the best non-Premier league ones, but with Sheffield hes not got the same experience at the top level of Shay (I hope BK plays him more often in friendlies). Keilys quit hanst he ? Who else is there ? Stacks a bit too young, Murphy cant get a game at West Brom, and Colgan - well he was dodgy v Nigeria imo - we're scraping the barrel if we have him in goal.

[thejollyrodger]

just wait for it now ...... given ? **** has he went down hill, time Ireland chucked him and looked for a new goal keeper

I was joking when I posted this FFS, i.e Given is having a bit of bad form, and just wait for everyone to jump on the bandwagon and demand a new keeper. I'm certainly not.

Given has done brilliantly for Ireland and were very lucky to have him. I wouldnt be surprised if he let in a lot of goals for newcastle. There not exactly the best defensive team in the premiership:),

[eirebhoy]

I was joking when I posted this FFS, i.e Given is having a bit of bad form, and just wait for everyone to jump on the bandwagon and demand a new keeper. I'm certainly not.
Jolly, you are usually the first person to slate a player after one bad game (ie. Reid, Carr). :D

[tricky_colour]

ah come on...hes good but not the best

only blackburn and W.B.A. have left in more goals than newcastle this season :eek:

Newcastle are also second top goal scorers, they play an attacking game
not a defensive one, that what is expected at Newcastle, the fans don't
pay to watch a dull game.

I would not swop Given for any other Premiership keeper.

[Colm55]

ah come on...hes good but not the best

only blackburn and W.B.A. have left in more goals than newcastle this season :eek:

Who's better?

[ken foree]

he can be excellent but his timing attacking a ball can be a bit muck at times, the two mistakes against bolton were a little reminiscent of the baros goal v. czech, no?

[thejollyrodger]

Jolly, you are usually the first person to slate a player after one bad game (ie. Reid, Carr)

yeah well, Im not slating a very good keeper. As for Carr, well he had a real bad run there while at Spurs, looks a bit better now (overall) at Newcastle. I wont even touch the Reid subject here ;)

[liam88]

BRILLIANT PLAYER-BRILLIANT BLOKE!
Was standing on the sidline before during half time shouting "Shay! Shay!" he cam came over from his warm-up to sign ma programme! :D
Best of luck on the fatherhood!

[Roo69]

Maybe he fancied a move to Man U or Arsenal and didn't like
the £15m price tag, hence affecting his concentration?
It was atough game for a keeper I thouoght, but he went
for some balls he had little change of getting.

Quality keeper ! United are being linked with the likes of Frey, Toldo, Jesskilinen (spelling ?) etc..... but if i could choose one keeper would love united to sign him ahead of anyone else.

[Closed Account 2]

Newcastle are 4-1 down to Fulham at home :eek:

But Given's not in goal, its Steve Harper instead. Anyone know if Shay was dropped or injured ?

[tricky_colour]

Newcastle are 4-1 down to Fulham at home :eek:

But Given's not in goal, its Steve Harper instead. Anyone know if Shay was dropped or injured ?

Attendinig the birth of his first child.
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=123364322&p=yz3365xz8&t=soccer

What about Steven Carr? He is not playing either.
Suspended? Injured?

[eirebhoy]

I noticed a couple of years ago that Given prefers to stop the ball when its rolling up to him even if its going to put him under a lot of pressure. Just watching the Chelsea match today and the majority of his kicks with the ball rolling towards him are going into the stand. I'm 100% sure its not a one off match as I've seen it so many times and mentioned it a few times to my mates. Is it his eye sight or what?

[brine3]

He's always been crap at kicking. Credit is due though, he's improved, because five years ago his kicking was a liability.

I think it's due to Lifford FC, Celtic, Blackburn, Sunderland and Newcastle not placing enough emphasis on the footballing qualities of a goalkeeper.

[drinkfeckarse]

It's never been his strongest point but as long as his hands work then what harm ;)

[Bowsy]

Not the strongest part of his game but can't recall seeing him embarassed a la Lehman. Don't see it as a major problem. Sure it's something he works on but some people are naturally weak kickers. Look at Seaman. Maybe it is a lack of coaching at a younger age.

[Peadar]

I noticed a couple of years ago that Given prefers to stop the ball when its rolling up to him even if its going to put him under a lot of pressure.

For most players it's difficult to kick the ball accurately when it's rolling towards you. I think defenders have a lot to answer for when it comes to taking the lazy option and kicking back to the keeper when he can be put under undue pressure.

[Stuttgart88]

He's a lot better at it than Bonner was!

Given very nearly made a howler in Greece (boring 0-0 friendly under Don Givens). On a terrible pitch he missed the ball completely but the ball narrowly missed the goal. Or something like that anyway.

[pete]

I'd say pitches can be very uneven in these winter months so hitting the ball first time isn't always very reliable. Anyway if a keeper is going to control the ball before clearing defenders would be better off hitting it back at a good pace to give the keeper more time.

[brine3]

Not the strongest part of his game but can't recall seeing him embarassed a la Lehman

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

[Irish_Praha]

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

I have that clip on my computer. Shocking! :eek: