Guest smoggeordie Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 www.nufc.co.uk SHAY Given celebrates ten years as a Newcastle United player this week after moving to Tyneside from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 1997. Given, then 21, was snapped up by Kenny Dalglish for a fee of £1.5m after beating off competition from a hosts of clubs for the promising young stopper. The Irishman has gone on to become a fans' favourite among the Toon Army, and is widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the Premiership. He became only the ninth player to pass the 400 appearance mark for United this season, and is now just 83 behind fellow goalkeeper and club record holder Jimmy Lawrence on 496. Given has endured a frustrating campaign following a horrific stomach injury sustained at West Ham in September. But, with a summer free of any footballing commitment, the Lifford-born star is hoping that any injury problems will be long forgotten by the time he reports back for pre-season training at the beginning of July. Shay told nufc.co.uk: "Hopefully this is the end of my injury problems. "I've done a lot of work in the gym and I felt fine at Watford, I had a lot of kicking to do in that game and it felt good. "This is the first summer I have had free in a long time to spend time with the family so I'm looking forward to it. "I'm hoping it will help my groins and stomach to recover what with the season I've had. "But I'll be raring to go again next season and hopefully the rest will do me the world of good." And, with time still on the Irishman's side, Shay says that the one thing he wants more than anything is to win some silverware with Newcastle United. "I'm still very hungry to win something with Newcastle," added the 80-times capped internatioanl. "I came here ten years ago to win trophies and I want to do that for myself and for the fans. "I've got a good few years left and hopefully in that time we can pick up some silverware." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Parka Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Top bloke: We would be so in the shit without him Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Another 5 brilliant years left in him as well. Which by then Krul will be ready to take his place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skirge Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Lets hope we can keep him here, great keeper, immensley loyal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
junkhead Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest smoggeordie Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Time for a testimonial... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajun Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Money well spent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ridzuan Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Shay is already a legend.I rank him up there with the likes of Wor Jackie and Big Al.Hopefully,unlike Big Al,he will get to win some silverwear with us before he hangs up his boots because he too deserve it.At the same time,I think Steve Harper should also be given some credit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Congrats to Given, him and Harper should be given a joint testimonial. However, I don't think that Given will last for more than three years. Generally keepers make up for loss of agility with improved mental attributes that come with experience, but Given's mental attributes aren't that good compared to other long lasting keepers. Hopefully Allardyce can get him on some regime that will keep him physically fresh and injury free, while at the same time work on some of the mental attributes in his game. Inevitably though, Given will get injured in a couple of years, and Krul will get a prolonged run, and keep his place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon_Crazy Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 10 years service..1.5million fee..So at the moment he was cost 150,00 per year plus wages..Surely one the bargains in too history. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nguyen Van Falk Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Congrats to Given, him and Harper should be given a joint testimonial. However, I don't think that Given will last for more than three years. Generally keepers make up for loss of agility with improved mental attributes that come with experience, but Given's mental attributes aren't that good compared to other long lasting keepers. Hopefully Allardyce can get him on some regime that will keep him physically fresh and injury free, while at the same time work on some of the mental attributes in his game. Inevitably though, Given will get injured in a couple of years, and Krul will get a prolonged run, and keep his place. You should take up coaching.....or not... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Mag Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Congrats to Given, him and Harper should be given a joint testimonial. However, I don't think that Given will last for more than three years. Generally keepers make up for loss of agility with improved mental attributes that come with experience, but Given's mental attributes aren't that good compared to other long lasting keepers. Hopefully Allardyce can get him on some regime that will keep him physically fresh and injury free, while at the same time work on some of the mental attributes in his game. Inevitably though, Given will get injured in a couple of years, and Krul will get a prolonged run, and keep his place. Harper deserves a testamonial for what exactly? Being shite or having no ambition? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Toon83 Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Shay is a true proffessional and a credit to the game these days Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Only been watching Newcastle since about the time Given first came, but surely he is one of Newcastle United's best ever signings? An honest opinion from HTL/NE5 on that would be interesting, genuinely. Top man. Love him to bits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Nah, they'll just harp on to Martin Thomas when we had a sh*t board. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjmc Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 the model professional that spoke out at the right times, could have gone else where if he wanted but stuck by us, sad really that he will never be seen as highly regarded as wore alan just to the fact he is a keeper and his contributions arent seen as easily Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NUFCnutter Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I have nothing but respect for Shay Given. The lad does his job, doesn't whine and moan, and is always proud to pull on the Newcastle Shirt, and we couldn't get a decent replacement for 3 times what he cost. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
midds Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Deserves every plaudit he's going to inevitably get. Top keeper and a top professional * * Apart from when he spat his dummy 6 years ago and submitted a transfer request after losing his place to Harper. Having said that, he probably knew he was streets ahead of Harper and his over-reaction has largely been erased from my memory BECAUSE HE WAS FUCKING RIGHT. PS. Don't start with the Harper vs Given shit please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NUFCnutter Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I get bloody sick of this whole "Harper lacks ambition" shit If you worked somewhere for a canny wage, doing the job you want to do, its local to where you live and when you do get to show what you can do people seem to appreciate it, would you want to move. I don't see Harper's staying at Newcastle as a lack of ambition, I see it as a loyalty to a club. There are many people who would love to play for the toon, Harper deserves to have his loyalty applauded rather than his ambition questioned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nufcjmc Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I get bloody sick of this whole "Harper lacks ambition" shit If you worked somewhere for a canny wage, doing the job you want to do, its local to where you live and when you do get to show what you can do people seem to appreciate it, would you want to move. I don't see Harper's staying at Newcastle as a lack of ambition, I see it as a loyalty to a club. There are many people who would love to play for the toon, Harper deserves to have his loyalty applauded rather than his ambition questioned. can see your point but on the other hand if you look at it the other way you have a keeper on the books that could have moved numerous times, shay is always going to be our number one and instead of being ambitious enough to want to play week in week out he warms the bench. Not that I dont respect the lad for staying part of the cause just think he could have done better for himself elsewhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Mag Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I get bloody sick of this whole "Harper lacks ambition" shit If you worked somewhere for a canny wage, doing the job you want to do, its local to where you live and when you do get to show what you can do people seem to appreciate it, would you want to move. I don't see Harper's staying at Newcastle as a lack of ambition, I see it as a loyalty to a club. There are many people who would love to play for the toon, Harper deserves to have his loyalty applauded rather than his ambition questioned. You want to applaud somebody that has sat on there arse and picked up a good wage for the best part of 10 years? Madness. If your in a job you want to be the best, you dont want to be playing second fiddle to someone else, why is being a footballer any different, it isnt. No ambition & no talent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Fact is, Harper is probably only the 30th best keeper in England. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Mag Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Quote from: Sgrey on January 01, 2006, 11:54:48 AM An on form Harper is one of the top keepers in teh prem, probaly 4th best on the prem, behind Shay, Cech, and Van Der Sar. He is a top keeper Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NUFCnutter Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I get bloody sick of this whole "Harper lacks ambition" shit If you worked somewhere for a canny wage, doing the job you want to do, its local to where you live and when you do get to show what you can do people seem to appreciate it, would you want to move. I don't see Harper's staying at Newcastle as a lack of ambition, I see it as a loyalty to a club. There are many people who would love to play for the toon, Harper deserves to have his loyalty applauded rather than his ambition questioned. You want to applaud somebody that has sat on there arse and picked up a good wage for the best part of 10 years? Madness. In the 10 or more years Harper has been at the toon I bet he has cost us less in wages than Michael Owen has in his two. Owen at Watford looked disinterested before Fatty knocked him out, DISINTERESTED on £110,000 a week? I ask you! Maybe Harper does lack ambition but maybe he is just happy to be at the toon? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Mag Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 I get bloody sick of this whole "Harper lacks ambition" shit If you worked somewhere for a canny wage, doing the job you want to do, its local to where you live and when you do get to show what you can do people seem to appreciate it, would you want to move. I don't see Harper's staying at Newcastle as a lack of ambition, I see it as a loyalty to a club. There are many people who would love to play for the toon, Harper deserves to have his loyalty applauded rather than his ambition questioned. You want to applaud somebody that has sat on there arse and picked up a good wage for the best part of 10 years? Madness. In the 10 or more years Harper has been at the toon I bet he has cost us less in wages than Michael Owen has in his two. Owen at Watford looked disinterested before Fatty knocked him out, DISINTERESTED on £110,000 a week? I ask you! Maybe Harper does lack ambition but maybe he is just happy to be at the toon? Maybe he knows that he isnt good enough to get a sniff of the bench anywhere else? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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