The Shay Given Appreciation Thread

[colinh9]

I think it is an embarrassment we don't have one of these already. This man has saved our asses more times than we can remember. He is a class act both on and off the feild and a fantastic goalkeeper to boot.

Rumor:
Shay Given looks set to be offered an extended contract that could keep him at Newcastle for the rest of his career. (Sunday Mirror)

Let's just hope thats true.

But this one's for shay.

[schafer]

I'm not even a NUFC fan but I agree, Given is first-class. One of the two best goalies in the EPL, Ireland's saviour, yet he is underrated by so many people, as he doesn't have the reflexes/ isn't as spectacular as Buffon or Casillas, yet is a better all-round keeper than the latter, IMO. Keeps Newcastle in so many games in not even funny, it's a shame he's never had a better defense in front of him.

[tigerdave]

Extend his contract already! Definitely one of the top keepers on the planet. Some might say Cech, Buffon, Casillas, Coupet, or Dida even, but when you yield as few goals as Shay does with effectively shyte as defence in front of you (especially last year), it is then that you've proven yourself among the elite.

[tigerdave]

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has warned his strikers they will have to beat the best goalkeeper in the Premiership if they are to collect all three points against Newcastle.

Having seen Shay Given repeatedly perform heroics for the Republic of Ireland during his time at the helm, McCarthy knows just how stubborn an opponent he will be.

"Absolutely, yes," McCarthy said when asked if Given is as good as anyone around at the moment. "I think he's been the best in the Premiership for a long time.

"There might be a few arguing now with Petr Cech and Edwin van der Sar, but a couple of years ago when they were all scratching around looking at goalkeepers he had been as consistent and as good as anybody."

McCarthy has promised a positive approach as the Black Cats attempt to bounce back from the 3-1 home defeat to Manchester United, which ended an unbeaten run of three league games, but without Christian Bassila and probably Julio Arca, he knows that could be a big ask if Given is at his best.

"He's been very important," he said. "He has been all season long, with Ireland as well, instrumental in keeping clean sheets and down at Portsmouth the other week he was just outstanding.

"Sometimes there is not too much between the teams and then there's that one bit of quality, whether it's from a striker who finds a finish or whether it's a goalkeeper that finds a wonder save from somewhere that keeps you in it."

See? Someone recognises it!

[toon_soldier_86]

very good goalie, can and has carried us along.