Shay Given

He was playing poorly long before the Euros but we didn't really pick up on it because of his status as a legend. He was our best ever keeper and one of the best in the PL for a good 7 or 8 seasons. He needs first team football if he is to come back. At the moment I can't see him getting a game at any PL team so to continue playing he will have to drop down to Championship level. We should be looking forward to Westwood, Bunn, Randolph and Stephan Henderson. But all these lads need to be playing first team football.

there is no way in hell shay should be playing ahead of Guzan....after stopping 5 one on ones in 30 mins today


Could probably get a run outfield though:)

If Forester gets snapped up by a bigger club could see Given going to Celtic.

Sad decline for an player who was excellant for Ireland for a long long time. I think he really needs to sort out his club footbal before considering making an international comeback

It's a given given plays in MLS methinks.

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Originally Posted by the bear

If Forester gets snapped up by a bigger club could see Given going to Celtic.

Sad decline for an player who was excellant for Ireland for a long long time. I think he really needs to sort out his club footbal before considering making an international comeback

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Shay signed a 5 year contract with Villa, on a salary rumoured to be £3m p/a.
Sentiment only goes so far.

Thats a ridiculous contract length to give someone his age, maybe Crosby is right with the MLS. A loan in jan would be good for him at the least.

MLS clubs don't take players on loan under any circumstances, so there's absolutely no way he ends up playing there on that kind of pay packet.

MLS clubs do take players on loan but I'm fairly sure they were just saying any loan in January is preferable.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

MLS clubs do take players on loan but I'm fairly sure they were just saying any loan in January is preferable.

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I could well be mistaken, but I'm almost certain that the MLS do not allow players to be loaned to any of their franchises. Can you give me an example from the last couple of years of a player that has been loaned out to a MLS team?

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Originally Posted by Colbert Report

I could well be mistaken, but I'm almost certain that the MLS do not allow players to be loaned to any of their franchises. Can you give me an example from the last couple of years of a player that has been loaned out to a MLS team?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Augusto

A loan to the championship might be ideal. somewhere for Shay to recover form somewhat out of the spotlight.

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Originally Posted by Colbert Report

I could well be mistaken, but I'm almost certain that the MLS do not allow players to be loaned to any of their franchises. Can you give me an example from the last couple of years of a player that has been loaned out to a MLS team?

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It's not as common as in British football, but there are quite a few players on loan in the MLS this season alone including Raphael Augusto, Simon Dawkins, Martin Rivero, Chris Klute, Sebastian Rincon (on loan at Portland Timbers), Jose Goncalves, Mario Martinez, Miller Bolanos and Jair Benitez

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Originally Posted by the bear

A loan to the championship might be ideal. somewhere for Shay to recover form somewhat out of the spotlight.

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Southampton look like their in need of a keeper.
Boruc, Davis and Gazzinga haven't exactly inspired confidence this season, but Villa might not be to keen loaning him to them.

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Originally Posted by Colbert Report

I could well be mistaken, but I'm almost certain that the MLS do not allow players to be loaned to any of their franchises. Can you give me an example from the last couple of years of a player that has been loaned out to a MLS team?

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I know Markus Schopp was loaned from Reb Bull Salzburg to Red Bull NY a few years ago and more recently Brian Nielsen too.

But you are correct that in general, MLS rarely loan players in. In any case, I'd doubt an MLS team would take a player such as Given on loan due to the fact he would probably be on DP wages and teams don't want to "waste" a DP on a goalkeeper.

In any case, I don't think Villa will chance loaning Given out given(!) their poor form and precarious position. If Guzan picks up an injury I doubt they would like having whoever their 3rd keeper is come in at this point of the season.

Back page of the Mirror today features a story about an apparent lack of contact between Trap and Given after his hinting of coming out of international retirement.

Shay back for the cup game against Ipswich, as expected. The Daily Mail is stirring a bit, saying he's in line to replace Guzan outright but I don't buy it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...la-recall.html

Villa are 1-1, conceded a goal off a short range Ciaran Clark OG.

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Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Villa are 1-1, conceded a goal off a short range Ciaran Clark OG.

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you sure? it was assigned to Chopra by Sky Sports and BBC

He deflected Chopra's shot, presumably it was already going in so Chopra's goal.

ah, fair enough. Might be one for the dubious goals committee