Given considers Newcastle future

[dww]

BBC
Goalkeeper Shay Given could be set to leave Newcastle United after saying he is disillusioned with the club's situation both on and off the pitch.

Given said he had reached the "lowest point of his football career" after last week's 5-1 defeat by Liverpool.

The 32-year-old has been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City.

"All that he can see ahead with the turmoil on and off the pitch is a battle for survival," Given's lawyer Michael Kennedy said in a statement.

Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear had insisted Given, who signed a five-year deal in 2006, would not be leaving St James' Park during January's transfer window.

But the club could now be forced to listen to offers of about £8m for the keeper whom Kinnear believes is the best in the Premier League.

"Shay is very despondent following the very poor performance of the team against Liverpool last weekend," read Kennedy's statement.

"It was the lowest point of his football career and a performance that he would not wish to be repeated.

"Having served the club loyally for over 11 years, Shay feels compelled to consider his position in the light of the interest being expressed in him by Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham."

Given has made 459 appearances for the Magpies since joining from Blackburn for £1.5m in 1997.

Newcastle have some strength in the goalkeeping position, with Given's long-term deputy Steve Harper currently in discussions over a new contract.

However, Kinnear is determined to hold on to his best players, including England striker Michael Owen whose contract expires in the summer, as he attempts to steer the club away from the bottom half of the table.

The club's off-field dramas took another twist this week when owner Mike Ashley took the club off the market after failing to attract a buyer.

[The Erectile Banana]

I am constantly surprised that Given hasn't left Newcastle years ago.

He has consistently been one of the best keepers in the Premiership for a long time now, which is some acheivement given the state of some of the teams who have played in front of him.

He has the talent to play for one of the big clubs and it never ceases to amaze me that neither of them have ever come in for him. He's a hell of a lot better than what Arsenal or The Mancs have between the sticks.

[AFII]

The second best keeper in the league after Pepe.

[dww]

I don't think he is as good as some make out. I think he is a world class shot stopper but I'm not convinced he dominates his area or organises his defense well enough for the very top level. Also due to the teams he has played in you have to question whether he has the concentration needed for a good team. I can see exactly why none of the top teams have gone for him and in particular why United would stick with van der Sar. He does however deserve the chance to be in a better team, behind a better defense than he is currently.

[Darkon]

I don't think he is as good as some make out. I think he is a world class shot stopper but I'm not convinced he dominates his area or organises his defense well enough for the very top level. Also due to the teams he has played in you have to question whether he has the concentration needed for a good team. I can see exactly why none of the top teams have gone for him and in particular why United would stick with van der Sar. He does however deserve the chance to be in a better team, behind a better defense than he is currently.

I agree that it is mainly his fantastic shot stop ability and reflexes that has given him such a high esteem. Beyond that he is not a keeper at the standard of a top-4 club. He should be playing at the level just below that IMO.

[Big Dave]

I am constantly surprised that Given hasn't left Newcastle years ago.

He has consistently been one of the best keepers in the Premiership for a long time now, which is some acheivement given the state of some of the teams who have played in front of him.

He has the talent to play for one of the big clubs and it never ceases to amaze me that neither of them have ever come in for him. He's a hell of a lot better than what Arsenal or The Mancs have between the sticks.

Exactly. When you think how long the likes of Man Utd and Arsenal have been looking for a top class keeper, it's amazing that he's not moved on before. I think he's more than showed loyalty to the Toon and don't think anyone would begrudge him a move, he deserves to be playing in a better team.

[The Erectile Banana]

I don't think he is as good as some make out. I think he is a world class shot stopper but I'm not convinced he dominates his area or organises his defense well enough for the very top level. Also due to the teams he has played in you have to question whether he has the concentration needed for a good team. I can see exactly why none of the top teams have gone for him and in particular why United would stick with van der Sar. He does however deserve the chance to be in a better team, behind a better defense than he is currently.

I can't say I agree with that. I have watched Given perform for Ireland for the last ten years for Ireland and he has always been a rock for us whether we were playing a top team like France or a smaller international team like San Marino. He very rarely makes mistakes and can always be relied to pull off a top class save even if he has done nothing for long stretches of the game. I wouldn't place any question marks over his concentration levels.

Many say that he lacks the height to be a really dominant goalkeeper and I can see some validity to this theory as he perhaps lacks the physical presence of other keepers. Having said that I think he has enough talent to be a big success wherever he plays.

[dww]

I can't say I agree with that. I have watched Given perform for Ireland for the last ten years for Ireland and he has always been a rock for us whether we were playing a top team like France or a smaller international team like San Marino. He very rarely makes mistakes and can always be relied to pull off a top class save even if he has done nothing for long stretches of the game. I wouldn't place any question marks over his concentration levels.

Many say that he lacks the height to be a really dominant goalkeeper and I can see some validity to this theory as he perhaps lacks the physical presence of other keepers. Having said that I think he has enough talent to be a big success wherever he plays.

I can't say that I've seen enough of him for Ireland to comment from that point of view.

It is notable that when that Mourinho match dossier was leaked a few years ago he was highlighted as a weak link.

[Craig_H]

Given to Arsenal has seemed nailed on for about 3 years, but Wenger just seems insistant not to sign him.

[Gaz]

The second best keeper in the league after Pepe.

He's not in the same League as Cech and Reina, but he's definately up there with the best of the rest

[The Erectile Banana]

I can't say that I've seen enough of him for Ireland to comment from that point of view.

It is notable that when that Mourinho match dossier was leaked a few years ago he was highlighted as a weak link.

Really?

I wasn't aware of that.

I think many perceive his lack of height to be a weakness but it's never really counted against him whenever I have seen him in action.

I think he's a truly excellent keeper and the fact that he has stayed at Newcastle for so long has led to him being underrated by some. If he moves in the transfer window he may get the credit he is due.

[red g]

probably the best shot stopper in the league just lacks the presence of a pepe/cech but great keeper will do well where ever he goes.

[dww]

Really?

I wasn't aware of that.

I think many perceive his lack of height to be a weakness but it's never really counted against him whenever I have seen him in action.

I think he's a truly excellent keeper and the fact that he has stayed at Newcastle for so long has led to him being underrated by some. If he moves in the transfer window he may get the credit he is due.

IIRC from previous disputes with Nic83 he isn't that short (about 6' 1'' ish). I do however get the feeling he lacks presence when coming for the ball. He does however seem to have a good technique for catching IMO.

I think he is a very good keeper but I feel the opposite to you in that he is over rated by many as he has been at Newcastle where he has made some spectacular performances due to their porous defense. I'd say he is in the group of keepers who are not world class but who are none the less very good in the PL - along with Friedel, Jääskeläinen, Almunia.

[The Erectile Banana]

IIRC from previous disputes with Nic83 he isn't that short (about 6' 1'' ish). I do however get the feeling he lacks presence when coming for the ball. He does however seem to have a good technique for catching IMO.

I think he is a very good keeper but I feel the opposite to you in that he is over rated by many as he has been at Newcastle where he has made some spectacular performances due to their porous defense. I'd say he is in the group of keepers who are not world class but who are none the less very good in the PL - along with Friedel, Jääskeläinen, Almunia.

Interesting.

I would class him as a better keeper than all those you mentioned.

I think he is Ireland's one truly world class player, but I may be slightly biased. If Pepe left us in the morning I think Given would be an excellent replacement.

As for the height issue. You're right, he is over six foot, but I've often heard it be said that he is relatively short for a keeper when many players in his position are 6' 4'' or 6' 5''. I don't think that has had too much effect on his career though.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one for the time being and see how he does if he does indeed make a move this month.

[Rich]

He deserves his chance at a big club, we'll never really know if he's as good as Cech and Reina unless he plays behind a defence where he has nothing to do for 80 minutes per game.

Certainly an improvement over Almunia at Arsenal, and perhaps even United should be seriously looking at him.