Shay Given

**punkrocket** · 21/02/2011, 1:20 PM

Now Given at his best is one of the best in the world but recently, through no fault of his own and it pains me to say it, has really shown his ring rustiness in the (competitive) games he's been in, way below his usual standards. In a perfect world he'll get out of City some time soon and put it all behind him but in the meantime it's Westwood's chance to show what he's made of. I hope he's up to it. To tell the truth I'd be nervous whoever was in goals, new guy or bench warmer.

**gastric** · 22/02/2011, 9:10 AM

Given out of the Macedonia game , in fact some newspapers are indicating he could have a season ending injury. Kieron Westwood, your opportunity has arrived. Pady Kenny needs a telephone call to back him up.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/...rapattoni.html

**the bear** · 22/02/2011, 10:27 AM

given and keane both out for macedonia game, could be a blessing in disguise. force a bit of freshness into the team

**Stuttgart88** · 22/02/2011, 2:17 PM

I remember before the Cyprus home game (start of the 03/04 campaign?) Robbie injured himself in a pre-season game at Ibrox and was a major doubt. I was really anxious. Now I just think that any one of Long, Best, Walters or Stokes could come in and do a job. Likewise with Shay - Westwood is a very good keeper. This could be one of those seismic moments in the development of this team.

We could finish this campaign with Westwood, Clark, St. Ledger, Coleman, Long, Wilson, McCarthy (!), Foley, Lawrence, Best, Cunningham, Green, Andrews, Whelan, Walters, Stokes and Gibson all having played a part. Of these I think only Long and Gibson had been capped pre-Trap. Only Lawrence, Whelan, Andrews and Sledge were regulars in the last campaign. This team is changing by stealth - or at least it shows some signs of "succession" on the horizon.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 22/02/2011, 5:52 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I remember before the Cyprus home game (start of the 03/04 campaign?) Robbie injured himself in a pre-season game at Ibrox and was a major doubt. I was really anxious. Now I just think that any one of Long, Best, Walters or Stokes could come in and do a job. Likewise with Shay - Westwood is a very good keeper. This could be one of those seismic moments in the development of this team.

We could finish this campaign with Westwood, Clark, St. Ledger, Coleman, Long, Wilson, McCarthy (!), Foley, Lawrence, Best, Cunningham, Green, Andrews, Whelan, Walters, Stokes and Gibson all having played a part. Of these I think only Long and Gibson had been capped pre-Trap. Only Lawrence, Whelan, Andrews and Sledge were regulars in the last campaign. This team is changing by stealth - or at least it shows some signs of "succession" on the horizon.

Yet there's a myth peddled out there that Trap doesn't change the squad....

**OwlsFan** · 23/02/2011, 9:12 AM

Originally Posted by the bear

given and keane both out for macedonia game, could be a blessing in disguise. force a bit of freshness into the team

Our best keeper and our leading scorer out. Yes, let's bring in a bit of "freshness" with two Championship players replacing them. I would have put money down on Keane scoring against Macedonia.

I have seen Westwood a few times this season. I am not convinced. Certainly not in the Given class but with a bit of shake 'n vac, let's put the freshness back!!

**shakermaker1982** · 23/02/2011, 10:38 AM

Two players in form though Owlsfan. Shane Long could score goals with his eyes closed atm & Westwood has played well all season so I'm not overly concerned about losing both players.

**shakermaker1982** · 23/02/2011, 10:40 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/9403128.stm

Given out for 3 months.

**Closed Account** · 23/02/2011, 11:33 AM

Whatever about missing the Macedonia game, the real worry here is the long term effects of this injury.
Apparently the shoulder was under no real stress when it was dislocated, so its going to affect his confidence when/if he does recover.

Get well soon Shay.

**shakermaker1982** · 23/02/2011, 11:49 AM

Good point Joe. Guy I play football with a guy from work has dislocated his shoulder about 8 times. He has ran into me twice and it 'went'. Every time Given dives on his shoulder it must be in the back of his mind that it will pop out.

**the bear** · 23/02/2011, 4:11 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Our best keeper and our leading scorer out. Yes, let's bring in a bit of "freshness" with two Championship players replacing them. I would have put money down on Keane scoring against Macedonia.

I have seen Westwood a few times this season. I am not convinced. Certainly not in the Given class but with a bit of shake 'n vac, let's put the freshness back!!

2 on form champ players or 2 player who been warmin benches all season. shay and robbie were undroppable and rightly so i suppose, after the performances they have put in for us over the years. but i think we have enough to beat macedonia without them, and will be interested to see how other players step up to the mark.

very worrying news bout given shoulder, hope the surgery sorts it out for good and he's back to his best soon

**Stuttgart88** · 23/02/2011, 5:37 PM

If Brian O'Driscoll's career can survive that type of injury, one would hope that Shay's can.

The Bear's point about Given and Shay warming benches is they key. Fit and on form they're both automatics. Reputation rather than form would probably have seen them picked for Macedonia. Instead (touch wood) we're going to have two very able, young, fit, in form and hungry players stepping in. I'm quite relaxed about that.

**DannyInvincible** · 23/02/2011, 6:19 PM

Worrying news, but maybe an opportunity to gauge how we'll cope a few years down the line when the day finally arrives that Keane and Given hang up their boots. Hopefully the shoulder won't plague him for the remainder of his career.

**Sullivinho** · 23/02/2011, 7:00 PM

Kieran Westwood will be as optimistic as any of us. As opportunities go, his prayers have been answered. (Insert 'Good Catholic' pun here.) He must surely be looking at this as a chance to usurp Shay in Trap's plans. Good performances in his run of games combined with Shay's club and injury woes and Trap has a decision to make down the line. Of course every professional always wants to do well but the shop window effect might work to Westwood's advantage as well as ours in this scenario.

**seanfhear** · 23/02/2011, 7:43 PM

This could be a worrying injury in regard to Shays longer term football future. I hope he is going to be okay and play on for a good numbert of years yet !

**Sullivinho** · 23/02/2011, 7:54 PM

Whether through wishful thinking or otherwise, I've always thought of him as being one of those keepers with longevity, ala Seaman and Van Der Sar. Hopefully he can get this shoulder thing sorted and fulfill that.

**Charlie Darwin** · 24/02/2011, 4:12 PM

Good news, apparently.

From the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman: "#mcfc now saying that shay given op was not on the same shoulder as last year, despite briefing to the contrary on tues. good news 4 shay."

Yes, his name is indeed hilarious.

**tetsujin1979** · 24/02/2011, 4:15 PM

official word from City's web site: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news...lder-operation

**paul_oshea** · 24/02/2011, 4:27 PM

Do you think he has a chip on his shoulder with Mancini, given the way things have gone the last year? Perhaps its actually the other shoulder and he wanted to balance the chip. Should Mancini shoulder some of the blame given the fact that given hasn't played many games, and warming up he might have been somewhat rusty or awkward hence the injury...