Shay Given

**tricky_colour** · 05/01/2013, 5:26 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

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

I would not be too surprised, Villa concede a lot of goals as the article says, something I commented on recently.
It may not be the keepers fault but at the end of the day he is the man between the sticks, worth giving Given a shot in goal.
Probably not being helped by the absence of Dunne.
I count 8 saves by Given in the match report, including crosses cut out.

**tricky_colour** · 05/01/2013, 5:30 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

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

The BBC have a different take on it!!

The Championship side had snatched the lead when Michael Chopra shot towards goal only for Villa's Eric Lichaj to steer the ball into his own net

My money is on the BBC being correct!!!

**Charlie Darwin** · 05/01/2013, 5:43 PM

Fair enough, the BBC are the ones who said it was Clark so they must have corrected it.

**peadar1987** · 05/01/2013, 5:46 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I would not be too surprised, Villa concede a lot of goals as the article says, something I commented on recently.
It may not be the keepers fault but at the end of the day he is the man between the sticks, worth giving Given a shot in goal.
Probably not being helped by the absence of Dunne.
I count 8 saves by Given in the match report, including crosses cut out.

I'm no expert, but I remember hearing a few years back from some talking head that Given was an excellent shot stopper, but not a particularly brilliant organiser of a defence.

**Charlie Darwin** · 05/01/2013, 5:47 PM

I'd have said the opposite. Shay has never been comfortable coming for crosses so he's always ensured his defence is organised enough to snuff out the danger. He's never really conceded many goals from set pieces. I don't think he can be held as responsible for defensive disorganisation outside the box.

**tricky_colour** · 05/01/2013, 6:15 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

I'm no expert, but I remember hearing a few years back from some talking head that Given was an excellent shot stopper, but not a particularly brilliant organiser of a defence.

Yes I had heard similar, he certainly does seem to be the sort of keeper who is always shouting at an d directing defenders.
But the that is not always a good thing, I remember (purposely) giving away a lot of corners as a left back, until the team captain
directed me to bring the player inside instead. Didn't work very well though as the first time I did that it lead to a goal.

So perhaps it's best to just let everyone get on with the job as they see it, defenders defend and keepers stop shots.

I think things can go badly wrong when you are ordered to play in a specific way against your better judgement.

**DannyInvincible** · 06/01/2013, 1:43 PM

Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

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.

In what sense? Sounds like standard anti-Trap stirring. Trap expressed pleasure at hearing Given's interest in returning to the fold and stated he would be in contact with him soon to discuss it further. That was less than a week ago.

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/01/2013, 1:56 PM

Lambert hails 'world class' Given: http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...328495652.html

**DannyInvincible** · 08/01/2013, 6:52 PM

Given starts for Villa tonight in their English League Cup semi-final against Bradford.

**The Fly** · 08/01/2013, 8:37 PM

Carl McHugh, from Donegal, just scored to make it 3 -1 to Bradford.

**tricky_colour** · 08/01/2013, 8:49 PM

Good result for Bradford - a League 2 side ie old 4th division.

**BonnieShels** · 08/01/2013, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Good result for Bradford - a League 2 side ie old 4th division.

What an odd appendage to your post.

**tricky_colour** · 08/01/2013, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

What an odd appendage to your post.

How do you mean odd? NO idea what you mean.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 08/01/2013, 10:43 PM

Wells' goal was eerily like the Croatian second during the summer. Given just seemed to flail at the second, might have done better is his arms were up a bit higher. His defence was shocking though.

**BonnieShels** · 08/01/2013, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

How do you mean odd? NO idea what you mean.

I mean explaining the equivalency of League 2 to Division Four. It seemed superfluous.

**geysir** · 08/01/2013, 11:14 PM

You are are just a young lad.
Maybe in 5 years time it will become totally superfluous.
It doesn't feel quite right to say such and such a club are in Div 2, when in fact they are in Div 4.
It's Blairism spin.

**BonnieShels** · 08/01/2013, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

You are are just a young lad.
Maybe in 5 years time it will become totally superfluous.
It doesn't feel quite right to say such and such a club are in Div 2, when in fact they are in Div 4.
It's Blairism spin.

You talking to me?

I just think that we have all accepted the awful nomenclature of British football. I cannot wait for the inevitable use of Elite League as a title.

Elite Championship Divison 1A anyone?

**tricky_colour** · 09/01/2013, 12:40 AM

Not a great result for Given though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiM4MRsBoww
Don't think he could have done anything about the goals, The Bradford keeper looked a bit useful though but he had savable shots

**Grafter** · 09/01/2013, 10:52 PM

Just watched highlights tonight of the Bradford game on the Beeb. That second goal looked eerily familiar from Given's POV.
There was a phantom thread on here a few months ago to the effect that Given was going blind.... now I wouldn't say that but I wonder could
a trip to his optician for an eyetest be in order?

Gotta love Shay, that's why it hurts seeing him flailing in oblivion at present....