Shay Given

[Toney’s bookie]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I'm not too fussed!

Having just seen Newcastle's goal against Villa today, I fail to see why Given remained rooted to his line and didn't simply come and punch the cross away. I believe he made lots of great saves to keep Villa in it but it doesn't mask that they probably could have won it id he'd have come for that ball.

This is why I am happier with Joe and why I'm happy with Mancini's decision.

 

[BibbyBlue85]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I'm not too fussed!

Having just seen Newcastle's goal against Villa today, I fail to see why Given remained rooted to his line and didn't simply come and punch the cross away. I believe he made lots of great saves to keep Villa in it but it doesn't mask that they probably could have won it id he'd have come for that ball.

This is why I am happier with Joe and why I'm happy with Mancini's decision.

Given is a fantastic shotstopper but his all round game isn't as strong. He is poor at coming for crosses hence why Joe Hart is the better goalkeeper

 

[goatinho]

then he made a world class save later on.

 

[southaustralianblue]

Thats always been the criticism with shay but you would assume that will get better as his understanding with the back 4 improves. For me he has kept them in games they didnt deserve to be in this season and so is a good pick up for them and is in the best 4 or 5 keepers in the league

 

[ellspark]

It's not that he wont come for the cross, he doesn't stay on the line for a laugh, he's smaller than some of the defenders. Logically he's not going to win the ball when there are taller players going for it as well.
He really controlled the game I saw him in last, I think it was the Irish game against Russia, came for loads of crosses and completely controlled the players in front of him.
I wouldn't blame him for the goal at all, and made a few world class saves against Newcastle.

Did he not get Man of the Match?

He (and Dunne as well) has been without question their best player by far this season. I don't think he deserved to be dropped and I don't think Hart is a better keeper, but that's neither here nor there. What's done is done. I think we'll regret selling him when we come up against them.

 

[Gazza]

he's smaller than some of the defenders

Which makes him a worse keeper than Hart.

 

[Bill]

shay is quality end of. joe is the better investment though so the club quite rightly sticks with the better asset.
we were blessed but not fair on shay to stay as a no 2.

 

[ellspark]

he's smaller than some of the defenders

Which makes him a worse keeper than Hart.

No, Hart's the same weaknesses as Given, but Given is a better shot stopper, he controls the defense better and he's a better level of concentration.

Just because he's taller doesn't make Hart better.

 

[Gazza]

he's smaller than some of the defenders

Which makes him a worse keeper than Hart.

No, Hart's the same weaknesses as Given, but Given is a better shot stopper, he controls the defense better and he's a better level of concentration.

Just because he's taller doesn't make Hart better.

If Given was the better keeper he'd still be in goal for City.

 

[ellspark]

Which makes him a worse keeper than Hart.

No, Hart's the same weaknesses as Given, but Given is a better shot stopper, he controls the defense better and he's a better level of concentration.

Just because he's taller doesn't make Hart better.

If Given was the better keeper he'd still be in goal for City.

No if Given was a 24 year old English keeper he'd still be in goals for City.

Given for me is the better keeper, but Hart is a better investment. Hart's great and all but I thank God we didn't sell Given to the Rags or Arsenal because he's been outstanding for Villa so far this season, and he'd be the difference between winning and loosing the title. We would not be worse off at all if he was still our no.1.