Shay Given

**theworm2345** · 05/12/2009, 6:32 PM

Peno save today (I believe his second of the year, not sure)

**Stuttgart88** · 05/12/2009, 7:25 PM

yeah, at least his second. He saved one against Birmingham I think.

I think penalties were a genuine weakness in his game (was it Owls Fan ran a thread on it a few years ago) but he seems to be increasing his percentages recently. Frustrating given how close we were to a crucial shoot-out.

**irishultra** · 05/12/2009, 7:25 PM

yep until a few years ago(maby his last with newcastle) he hadn't saved a penalty since mendieta scored against him in 02.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/12/2009, 7:29 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

yep until a few years ago(maby his last with newcastle) he hadn't saved a penalty since mendieta scored against him in 02.

For his club maybe but don't forget Cyprus.

**Closed Account 2** · 05/12/2009, 7:34 PM

He had a great game, him or De Jong for man of the match I'd say. At the moment I'd say he is the best in the world, ahead of Buffon, Casillas and Van der Saar. He seems physically fit and he can hopefully last through to 2014, 2012 should be no problem anyway.

**irishultra** · 05/12/2009, 7:43 PM

well in fairness he's the best in the world in the football we're most familar with. like van der saar wouldnt even be near the top 15, let alone world best.

**Closed Account 2** · 05/12/2009, 7:57 PM

I dont rate Van Der Saar (currently) as a great keeper either, but he is branded around a lot by the popular press. There is a paucity of world class keepers at the moment. Buffon has a dodgy back and cannot manage a full season for Juve these days. Casillas has potential but is still a bit error prone (same for Valdez and Reina), Julio Cesar is a decent shot stopper but not much else. I follow Russian football a lot, and I have to say Akinfeev is very inconsistant too. Given is the only keeper I would select at the drop of a hat for a world XI.

**SkStu** · 05/12/2009, 8:01 PM

Lloris has looked very impressive for France (against Ireland) and Lyon in the Champs Lge.

**Closed Account 2** · 05/12/2009, 8:05 PM

Hummm maybe but I've seen him caught out of position a few times for Lyon in the Champions League and he was horribly exposed in Belgrade this autumn.

**SkStu** · 05/12/2009, 8:14 PM

im not necessarily touting him as the best in the world or better than given but he deserves a mention with the players youve profiled.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/12/2009, 9:34 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

im not necessarily touting him as the best in the world or better than given but he deserves a mention with the players youve profiled.

Absolutelyu. Henry handball & two deflections aside, Lloris was the difference between the two teams. 22 years old: big future ahraed of him.

**Crosby87** · 05/12/2009, 9:53 PM

Guys why is SI not in the lineup?

**The Bunk** · 05/12/2009, 10:08 PM

Whatever about his standing in the game worldwide, for me he's certainly the best goalkeeper in the Premiership!

Another superb performance today - as we've come to expect.

**theworm2345** · 05/12/2009, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

Guys why is SI not in the lineup?

Two possible answers (NO CAN OF WORMS PLEASE!)

1.) Who cares?
2.) Try World Football

By the way I noticed that your namesake conveniently picked up an injury for the second straight time the day of a game against the Blackhawks. Can't blame him for being scared.

Anyway, in terms of keepers, I'd say Rustu of Turkey is still up there. He made some bad gaffes against Galatasaray earlier this year after a spell out injured (September or October) but since then has let in only 1 goal (a penalty) for Besiktas and that includes games in the CL at Old Trafford and against Wolfsburg. Given was one of the best keepers in the EPL even when he had Newcastle's defenders in front of him.

**Crosby87** · 05/12/2009, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

Two possible answers (NO CAN OF WORMS PLEASE!)

1.) Who cares?
2.) Try World Football

By the way I noticed that your namesake conveniently picked up an injury for the second straight time the day of a game against the Blackhawks. Can't blame him for being scared.

i figured since it was a MaD City day for the MaN City keeper i could sneak in a question without jumping through hoops. World football does not apply as he is still Irish and this is an Irish football forum, like it or not.

As for Sid, well, Marrianne Hossa may break a nail tonight but he hasnt broken at least one thing that comes annualy to him lately: Costing his team the Stanley Cup.

**theworm2345** · 06/12/2009, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

i figured since it was a MaD City day for the MaN City keeper i could sneak in a question without jumping through hoops. World football does not apply as he is still Irish and this is an Irish football forum, like it or not.

As for Sid, well, Marrianne Hossa may break a nail tonight but he hasnt broken at least one thing that comes annualy to him lately: Costing his team the Stanley Cup.

I won't comment on the first paragraph as I really don't want to open the can of worms. As for the second paragraph, well, I can just assume you're not very happy right now (to be honest I'm not a huge Hossa fan but he's a Hawk so I'll support him).

**bholg** · 06/12/2009, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

i figured since it was a MaD City day for the MaN City keeper i could sneak in a question without jumping through hoops. World football does not apply as he is still Irish and this is an Irish football forum, like it or not.

lads on rte said knee injury (?)