sempuki

I just hope Shay doesn't throw his shirt to the away fans at the end of the game.

He wants to watch himself - he doesn't exactly have a stellar medical record. I wonder why he was angry? Given's story in the media?

I wonder why. Is he not going now? If he is it would make sense to make Harper happy and protect the supposed transfer fee. Unless JFK is lying....

Similar to the one posted before: Shay Given may be axed for Hull FA Cup clash Jan 2 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle Shay Given SHAY GIVEN could be facing the axe ahead of Newcastle United’s crunch FA Cup clash with Hull City. That is the dilemma facing Toon boss Joe Kinnear at the club’s Benton HQ today. It comes after Given made it clear to his representatives that he was “considering his options” which threw the gauntlet down to Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur who are all interested in signing the Republic of Ireland No 1. Arsenal are believed to be leading the way for Given, but it could cost them £10m with the player under contract until 2011 at St James’s Park. Given was outstanding against Liverpool and kept the score down to five as the Merseysiders ran riot and, although the player was visibly upset at the final whistle as he made his way down the tunnel, Kinnear and those close to Given claimed the keeper was staying put on Tyneside. However, at 33 Given has to keep his options open, and the player has spent the last 24 hours reconsidering his future prompting the announcement from lawyer Michael Kennedy. Now, with United facing a fight to keep their season alive, Kinnear must decide whether to stick with Given and hope the confusion around his future doesn’t affect his performance at the KC Stadium, or bring in the reliable Steve Harper to take on the Tigers. With Tim Krul currently on loan at Carlisle United in League One, that would leave youngster Fraser Forster as back-up, but the Dutchman would almost certainly be recalled from Brunton Park if Given leaves the club. Given’s lawyer Kennedy said: “Shay is very despondent following the poor performance of the team against Liverpool. “It was the lowest point of his career and a performance that he would not wish to be repeated. “When he signed a new five-year contract in 2006 it was on the basis that the club would challenge for honours. “But on the present evidence all that he can see ahead with turmoil on and off the pitch is a battle for survival. “Having served the club loyally for 11 years, Shay feels compelled to consider his position in the light of the interest being shown in him by Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham.” Meanwhile, Kinnear has warned Hull they face a battle to stay in the FA Cup regardless of what XI he is able to field at the KC Stadium tomorrow. United are down to the bare bones for their crucial encounter with Hull, which could keep their season alive. Kinnear has doubts over stars like Nicky Butt, Shola Ameobi and Jose Enrique for tomorrow’s match. But he still feels that no matter which players pull on a black-and-white shirt on Humberside, Phil Brown’s side will have to fight for their lives to stay in the competition. Kinnear – whose side will be backed by 2,700 Geordies at the KC Stadium – told the Chronicle: “All the fans who travel there will see a side giving it everything, no matter what the team is. “The nature of our fans has been magnificent. “They have stood with us and they aren’t the type of fans who are fooled. “They will see our players working hard. We aren’t throwing in the towel.” United ended 2008 on a bad note against Liverpool after Rafa Benitez’s side wiped the floor with the Magpies on home soil. Yet, although confidence would undoubtedly have been dented by that big loss at St James’s, Kinnear has picked up his players in time for the visit to Hull. He added: “We are looking forward to the Hull game despite our injury problems. “I am not getting too downbeat about Liverpool. “It was a day when nothing went for us and everything went against us. “The match also came on the back of a tough game to Wigan. “We have conceded three goals against Liverpool from set-pieces, two corners and a penalty kick. “The third goal has killed us, and we paid the penalty at the start of the second half.”

City head chase for wantaway Shay Published Date: 02 January 2009 E-mail Miles Starforth MANCHESTER City are leading the chase for Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given. Long-serving Given's representative last night called on the club to let the player talk to three clubs who have expressed an interest in him. Along with City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the 32-year-old, who somehow kept Liverpool's score in single figures during last Sunday's 5-1 drubbing at St James's Park, a game which Given's lawyer Michael Kennedy has labelled the "lowest point of his football career". Ideally, Given would like to switch to the Emirates Stadium, but the odds are against Arsene Wenger, famously reluctant to spend big in the transfer market, making an acceptable bid for him. Wenger's priority in this month's transfer window is a midfielder to replace long-term injury victim Cesc Fabregas, and it is likely United will value Given – under contract at St James's Park until the summer of 2011 – at upwards of £8m. That would not be a problem for money bags City, whose manager Mark Hughes is looking for an experienced goalkeeper to compete with 21-year-old Joe Hart for a place between the posts. Manager Joe Kinnear had said Given was "very happy" on Tyneside earlier this week, and insisted he was not for sale at any price. Kinnear's comments appear to have forced Given's hand, and Kennedy claims the player "feels compelled to consider his position" due to "turmoil on and off the pitch". Newcaslte's fans, however, will question the timing of the bombshell, with tomorrow's FA Cup tie away to Hull City the only chance for the club to salvage something from yet another troubled campaign. "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. "When he signed a new five-year contract in 2006 it was on the basis that the club would challenge for major honours, but on the present evidence all that he can see ahead with the turmoil on and off the pitch is a battle for survival. "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." Kinnear, meanwhile, will have to decide whether Given is in the right frame of mind to line up at the KC Stadium, and Steve Harper could be in line for his first appearance of the season.

Bugger.

United keeper Shay Given won't walk away Jan 1 2009 by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle Shay Given SHAY GIVEN has insisted he is not about to throw the towel in at St James’s Park. The long-serving goalkeeper has seen it all during his 12 seasons on Tyneside, but was visibly upset after the 5-1 home defeat against Liverpool. Confused

Rated at 1 to 1.5 million I see. Seems his price has shot up in the last few months.

15 million could be realistic if he goes there. I wish him all the best whatever happens - by far the best Newcastle keeper I have seen in my lifetime.

Clubs that don't have to sell will try to shaft us for as much as possible obviously. If we got say 8 million for Given then spent the whole lot on the likes of Kyle Naughton I think I would give up.

Fuck! The Championship moves ever closer.

Kyle Naughton from Sheffield United could apparently be on his way in a few of todays rags.

JFK can't make excuses today. We were hammered, good and proper.

Back in Geordieland for Xmas but couldn't get a ticket and had to watch it cringing on the telly. If it wasn't for Shay double figures could have been achieved. Horrible, really horrible performance.

Currant Bun: Juan for the Toon By STEVE BRENNER NEWCASTLE are set to make a transfer window swoop in January for Fiorentina’s Peruvian midfielder Juan Vargas. The 25-year-old ace is rated at around £8million but has failed to settle in Serie A. And he would be available on loan with a view to a permanent switch in the summer. Director of football Dennis Wise jetted to Italy last weekend only to find Vargas was crocked. But Toon gaffer Joe Kinnear has already seen and heard enough to want to bring him over to St James’ Park. Vargas can play at left-back, left wing or in central midfield — and would instill some much needed creativity into the struggling Toon.

A real letdown today.

A relief for his dogs.....

A good away point really but we have to beat the Potters next week. Still, the mackem result was enjoyable!

Bemused.

Bloody hell! Well done lads.

We give away yet another free-kick. 3 minutes stoppages.

30 seconds plus stoppage time.

Ballack side-netting. My bottle has gone!

Owen looks knackered (fatigue wise).

They've had 23 shots to our 2 so far.