It seems to imply, and he didn't get a loan deal yet, that unless he gets regular game time he won't be going. I hope that is the case because it would be a joke otherwise to bring a 39 year old who has no game time for over 6 months. Has to be Elliot, Westwood (if fit) and Randolph.Originally Posted by DeLorean
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
Without question if Westwood's fitness isn't an issue but it's hard to know what's going on with him? I was talking to a big Wednesday fan recently (yes, there's another one over here) and he seems to think Westwood won't make the squad. He also mentioned that he grimaces a lot of the times he takes a goal kick or a free kick. Is this something you've noticed?
Based on current form, it really should be Randolph, Elliot and Bunn - of course that does mean we'd be going to the Euros with three goalkeepers who currently have 9 caps between them.
Bunn has hardly done enough to jump ahead of Westwood, form-wise?
In fact, if we're going on form, surely Morecambe's Barry Roche has to be worth a spot
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Westwood is still getting great length on his kick-outs and can land them on occasions not that far short of the opponent's penalty area, so if he is carrying an injury (haven't noticed), it's not affecting that side of his game.Without question if Westwood's fitness isn't an issue but it's hard to know what's going on with him? I was talking to a big Wednesday fan recently (yes, there's another one over here
Nice finish. The thing about a keeper coming up, there is probably nothing in the pre-match team talk about who is to pick him up at a corner.
Last edited by OwlsFan; 03/02/2016 at 5:16 PM.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
He'll be 40 by the time the Euros start. His birthday is in April.
He should have retired from football a couple of years ago. Although, I can totally understand why he didn't. Dino Zoff captained Italy to the World Cup in 1982 at the age of 40. So keepers can perform at an older age. But it just hasn't been working out for Shay. Clubs will continue to pick an older keeper who keeps on performing, but an older keeper who hasn't been a regular in nearly four seasons? Don't see it happening.
Last edited by brine3; 07/02/2016 at 11:26 AM.
It's strange, because the one time in the past few years he did get regular football (Middlesboro aged 37), he seemed to do really well - 10 clean sheets in 16 games.
So he was still a decent player even after 18 months on the sidelines. Yet hasn't found regular football since.
I get the impression that Given just needs to get fit to make the squad, compared to some others who need to get game time. If Given is being brought for his experience in and around the squad (I can't think of any other reason at this stage) then does it really matter that much if he's fit or not?! Obviously in an emergency it would I suppose. Matt Cooper was talking to some Today FM sports guy about the situation yesterday, putting it to him that he can hardly start ahead of Randolph or Elliot at this stage. The other guy said yeah it's probably between Given and Forde for the third goalkeeper's spot. They both agreed what a great story it would be if Given could make it, over twenty years after making his debut for us... maybe we should give Packie a call altogher! Westwood wasn't even mentioned in their discussion.
Martin O'Neill keeping Euros door open for recovering Shay Given
Between Given and Forde for the third goalkeeper spot? What sort of nonsense is that? Neither is playing at the moment and the acknowledged (By SKY at least
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
That was just Matt Cooper's guest's take on it. I'd be surprised if Westwood isn't ahead of Forde, but I'm also getting the impression he's behind Given in MON's mind. Hope I'm wrong about the latter though.
In all our 5 Finals we have only used the nr.1 goalie, though I can think of one situation where we could have planned for a dutch substitution.
If Shay is going to be the nr3, then it will be because he's Shay Given the consummate professional and that's of more benefit to the squad than to have Westwood or Forde. It's the manager's choice.
Possibly we have a fear that if Shay is picked for the squad, then OŽNeill will play him.
I wouldn't be surprised if we took five goalkeepers.
Isn't it so that it's a squad of 22 but teams are allowed to have a third goalie?
What happened that they allowed a 3rd goalie to be added to a squad? Did 2 goalies in a squad have a drunken brawl and rendered each other unfit to play?
I think the issue was that some countries (like us in 1990 and 94) took two keepers and decided to have an additional outfield player (20 instead of 19), which might actually be useful.
Countries who took three keepers were at a (marginal) disadvantage as a result. So FIFA compromised and said you have to take three keepers, and you have to have 20 outfield players too.
North Korea at the 2010 World Cup tried to get around that and declare an outfield player as a third choice keeper and were told that was grand provided he only played in nets in the tournament. So presumably, that means a David James-type sub can't happen at the World Cup.
Butland out for the season and Given back in full training!
I have to say this actually worries me. I really don't want Shay starting in France. I like the way Randolph has taken on the role. He is confident and has presence. His distribution is fantastic.
Yeah I'd imagine Randolph will be our number one regardless but who knows.
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.
We are committing proverbial suicide if we start him as #1 in the summer.
Randolph oozes confidence and it radiates through the rest of the team.
I have lost a lot of respect for Given for several reasons over the last several years. Played in 2012 even though he was injured, putting himself before his country. Returns to the set up only after losing his place in the Villa team. Turns down a move with guaranteed first-team football so he could fatten his wallet.
He can buzz off. I don't buy this "his prior tournament experience will benefit the team" or "he is good for team spirit". Would he even bother his arse travelling with the rest of the team if he wasn't guaranteed the jersey?
Forde can do the job of motivating the team if it needs be.
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