Shay Given - Why the lost love?

[BlueTony]

What's the score with Shay Given? Has Hart overtaken him in the pecking order now? Last season, most of you were hailing Given as the best keeper in the world.

What happened?

I wasn't. I got roundly slated for stating at the beginning of last season that it was a mistake to let Hart go on loan and, with arguments, that Joe was the better keeper. Even if you don't think he is the finished article, which at his age he isn't, you either pick him now or run the risk of losing him for the future. For me it's a no brainer and Mancini made the right decision.

 

[Skip Donoghue]

So has Given actually expressed a desire to leave City then or is it media bull?

he stated while on international duty during an interview that if he was not selected to play against spurs that he may have to move on for the sake of his career

 

[Thatchersforearm]

In terms of ability he is still an outstanding goalkeeper but you can't argue with the way Joe Hart developed at Birmingham last year. We all saw how well he did - voted by his fellow pros as the best in the league - but since he has returned I think he has surprised everyone with just how much better he has become. We all knew he was going to be top class but I don't think anyone at the club thought he was going to be this good this soon. The plan was to keep Shay for 2-3 years and then hand over to Hart. Not anymore.

Shay hasn't helped himself by going to the press either.

 

[squirtyflower]

no love lost troll

do you think the people's fans have lost a little faith in timmy dropsy?

 

[queezyfish]

Shay must be disappointed with all the press Hart is getting for his brilliant game, it really negates anything he says about him deserving the start when Joe is playing unbelievably well

 

[Darker shade of Blue]

no love lost troll

do you think the people's fans have lost a little faith in timmy dropsy?

Squirty you're a bit weird mate. Has anyone said that to you before. Troll? I'm a football fan. If you want to know something, you ask the fans. Most of the lads here are pretty straight with me, and so they get it back in return. I can pretty much tell you anything you want about any club, but then you might not be a football fan, and might not know much about anything really. :o) Being nice to people is easy. Why don't you try it?

 

[Fat Chance]

Rooneys header from 3 yards with Given stood on his line did'nt help the love any.

 

[Darker shade of Blue]

Regarding Howard, I'm not his biggest fan, so it's not always fair to offer my opinion on him, but Moyes signed another experienced keeper this window called Jan Mucha, and I think Howard will need to up his game dramatically now if he is to keep his place.

 

[franksven]

Shay is still the better keeper mainly through experience but we have to look at the bigger picture. We cannot risk losing Joe and if that means upsetting Shay, then so be it.

This is how i see it, personally I would have Shay as no.1, however, we have the Englands no.1 with an other 15 years playing career in front of him. So as hard as a decision it is, it's a must that we keep hold of Hart.

 

[Bianchi]

Regarding Howard, I'm not his biggest fan, so it's not always fair to offer my opinion on him, but Moyes signed another experienced keeper this window called Jan Mucha, and I think Howard will need to up his game dramatically now if he is to keep his place.

DSOB - do you reckon Moyes would drop Howard in favour of Mucha? He's been undisputed no.1 at Goodison for a few years now - is the Mucha signing intended to keep TH on his toes, or is he gonna be an Hilario/Fabianski type?