Shay Given

[pineapple stu]

Am I the only one not that upset about Shay's recall?

Did very well on loan at Middlesbrough earlier this year. Clearly has some ability still. Yes, he's 38 and not getting his game for Villa, but we're not blessed with keepers, and if they're good enough, they're old (or young) enough.

Goes without saying that he should only be called up on merit.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm ok with Given's recall. Keogh over the other options isn't a good call though. Delaney and McShane better options. Clark can't complain having missed the May / June games.

I have a feeling that Pearse's good performance alongside O'Shea against Italy elevated him above Keogh and the others and is first back up behind Wilson. So while I don't agree with the choice I'm not convinced this particular selection will haunt us. That's the glass half full view anyway.

Overall I'm underwhelmed by O'Neill's selections and public comments so far. Hopefully the next two games will do the talking for him.

[DannyInvincible]

Shay denies having made a first-team place a condition of his return: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/shay-g...facebook_short

I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I was definitely sharp enough to play. I don’t know, [Martin's] not said what his plans are, there's no guarantee and there’s no demands from me. I read somewhere that I've demanded to play – that’s all rubbish. I’m here to try to help the group and try to get us qualified.

O'Neill says he will most likely bring three keepers to Georgia and will decide who starts close to kick-off on Sunday.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Doesn't inspire confidence.
Sorry, Shay's past it, probably...

[tetsujin1979]

Given speaks about his return to the squad: http://vimeo.com/104927020

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30560712.html

Given has little time to convince in lifeless recall.

[OwlsFan]

Not sure what that recall was all about but sends wrong signal to other keepers in the squad. I had a lot of time for Given until he let us down in Euro 12 by playing when he obviously was not fit or on his game.

[geysir]

If the goalkeeping standard keeps dropping, then we can say the recall of Givens had no positive effect.
If on the other hand there is an improvement, then we can say the recall of Givens did not make things worse.
Imo, I can't see how the recall of one of our truly class players will be a detriment to the squad and to the other goalies.
He will only play in Georgia if he's in better form than what we already have.

[SwanVsDalton]

Not sure what that recall was all about but sends wrong signal to other keepers in the squad. I had a lot of time for Given until he let us down in Euro 12 by playing when he obviously was not fit or on his game.

If Given played and he shouldn't have, that's on the manager. Given wasn't that far from fitness, and he was hardly going to rule himself out of a major championship. His form had been a problem for a while.

Even with hindsight of his performance, I still wouldn't have dropped him for the Euro. And I definitely wouldn't have expected him to pipe up and say, "Actually, you know what? I'm feeling a bit squiffy, think I'll head home".

Emotive statements like 'let us down' about a guy who simply wanted to play for his country, and was then selected, really crumbles my biscuit.

[Charlie Darwin]

If Given played and he shouldn't have, that's on the manager. Given wasn't that far from fitness, and he was hardly going to rule himself out of a major championship. His form had been a problem for a while.

Even with hindsight of his performance, I still wouldn't have dropped him for the Euro. And I definitely wouldn't have expected him to pipe up and say, "Actually, you know what? I'm feeling a bit squiffy, think I'll head home".

Emotive statements like 'let us down' about a guy who simply wanted to play for his country, and was then selected, really crumbles my biscuit.

Compare to the vitriol McAteer got after he admitted he struggled through a fitness test to play at the 2002 World Cup. I think people selectively criticise, particularly when figures like Roy criticise players for playing too many games.

[SwanVsDalton]

Compare to the vitriol McAteer got after he admitted he struggled through a fitness test to play at the 2002 World Cup. I think people selectively criticise, particularly when figures like Roy criticise players for playing too many games.

I didn't realise he had got a lot of vitriol, but that would have been wrong to. Who can blame McAteer for being desperate to play? In the end, McCarthy picked him off the back of advice from the medical staff. The sentimentalist in me would have argue he deserved a chance to prove his fitness after Holland.

[paul_oshea]

There is a bit more with the McAteer one though, its not like for like really. Good auld triggs. I wonder does he still support Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

he was at the game on Wednesday night: https://twitter.com/MCATEER4/statuse...65784681005056

Great to catch up with my good friend and absolute legend Paul McGrath at @FAIreland game last night

[Charlie Darwin]

There is a bit more with the McAteer one though, its not like for like really. Good auld triggs. I wonder does he still support Ireland.

What more was there to McAteer? He was hurt, he kept a straight face through the pain of a fitness test and was taken off early as he couldn't do it anymore. He was widely slated for jeopardising our chances.

[pineapple stu]

If the goalkeeping standard keeps dropping, then we can say the recall of Givens had no positive effect.
If on the other hand there is an improvement, then we can say the recall of Givens did not make things worse.
Imo, I can't see how the recall of one of our truly class players will be a detriment to the squad and to the other goalies.

True. Though while - recent controversies aside - Givens has to be classed as one of our truly class players, it's hard to see what a 65-year-old ex-forward is going to bring to the squad in nets?

[jbyrne]

There is a bit more with the McAteer one though, its not like for like really. Good auld triggs. I wonder does he still support Ireland.

yes. follow him on twitter and his picture is of his post holland goal celebration. tweets about the ireland team a bit

[Wangball]

I still think I'd rather see a younger guy like Lawlor brought along as 3rd keeper than Shay in the squad. It would benefit the squad more in the long term.

[geysir]

I still think I'd rather see a younger guy like Lawlor brought along as 3rd keeper than Shay in the squad. It would benefit the squad more in the long term.

Maybe it would have a long term benefit, maybe not. The idea of Given in the squad now has its plusses which far outweigh speculative negatives about hidden messages and future prospects.
Other questions around Shay's motives and unfounded accusations do amount to a form of begrudgery.

[Charlie Darwin]

What if Lawlor turns out to be nowhere near good enough in the long run? Then you've just had a passenger all along instead of somebody who can help the squad.

[OwlsFan]

If the goalkeeping standard keeps dropping, then we can say the recall of Givens had no positive effect.
If on the other hand there is an improvement, then we can say the recall of Givens did not make things worse.
Imo, I can't see how the recall of one of our truly class players will be a detriment to the squad and to the other goalies.
He will only play in Georgia if he's in better form than what we already have.

I have seen Kieren Westwood play and he looks good to me (no claims of bias please). Given WAS a truly class player, but if he still was, he'd be playing regular football and he hasn't for 2 years now. I am not sure if he even gets on the bench these day. Every class player has his day. The evidence would seem to suggest Shay's are behind him.