Given is a good keeper but I think he is only a temporary solution for a constant problem. Look at what United have done with De Gea, signed a relatively unproven keeper and put faith in him which has resulted in them having a great keeper this season, that will only get better and be there for many years which helps keep consistency in the back-bone of the team. I think it is important for a team to have a long term Keeper, Centre Back and then Centre Mid to give the team more strength.
Chelsea are doing a similar thing with Courtois - keeping him out on loan until he's ready to replace Cech.
I think he would be an ideal signing for us. Like someone said earlier on this thread, he's a great shot-stopper, saving shots that shouldn't really be saved and his experience would be vital. Sadly I think his wages would be a problem so unless he is willing to take quite the paycut, I can only see a loan.
I can't remember what it was, but he made mistakes in those games and I remember thinking at the time how far he'd fallen. It happens at his age. David James went from being England No 1 to Bristol in about 3 months and didn't he end up moving even further down the leagues after that? What I think is that he hasn't played much football in the last year and when he has he's been poor, that's all you can go on. Reputation from before then means nothing.
It would be if you were judging the form of a player who hasn't played for six months. Shay Given is a great keeper, he hasn't become a **** one just because Lambert decided to play Guzan ahead of him and we won't get him because he's better than we can afford. He'll go somewhere else and we'll get someone else, at which point, everyone will wish we'd got him.
Tend to agree - fallen quickly from grace IMO - many of the Irish supporters think so too - he was primarily repsonsible for their early exit in the last Euros.
Prefer Schmeichel or even Stockdale before Given. He is a spent force, but would be better than Kirkland.
EasyTiger put this on the wrong thread-I'll re-tweet it here http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...given-1918293?
Sorry but there is a reason he hasn't played in 6 months. There's also a reason he's been taken out of the number one keeper slot at his last 2 clubs.
How good was Mark Hateley before his legs went on his trip to Hull? Once they have gone they have gone. I think I could get a date with Debbie Harry now rather than when she was in her prime. Coltman Street used to be one of the poshest in Hull
If he's on £60k a week or whatever it is, they'll just be doing with Given what they're doing with Darren Bent, and freezing them out. Villa are obviously on a super-save, getting rid of the big earners and bringing in younger players on far less dosh. It's a less than subtle hint to Given to move on if he wants to play, nothing to do with ability, everything to do with earnings. He's a top notch goalie. I'd be delighted if he signed for us.
If Villa are paying up a large part of his contract, we should be able to fit him into our wage structure, especially if they only want £1m for him. I would definitely take him if the financials work. His experience alone would be invaluable in the season ahead.
Can't believe people are slamming him about Euro 2012, yes he made mistakes but Christ almighty. He was playing for a team that had Glenn Whelan in central midfield against Modric, Iniesta and Pirlo in consecutive games! They never stood a chance and Shay unfortunately didn't live up to the unrealistic expectations of the Irish that thought he'd be their hero, that doesn't make him ****. I'd love us to sign him, I'd prefer Schmeichel for the sake of long term stability in that position should we stay up but as far as ability goes we won't do any better!
