Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Holy Trinity on July 15, 2011, 11:48:07 AM
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Fee agreed according to sky
decent start to the summer comings
edit: Changed name to correct spelling!
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It's Shay. My only worries are his communication and recent injuries. By no means a bad keeper, and if I'm honest, probably as reliable as Friedel.
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Decent enough player but no real improvement on what we had before, albeit a bit younger.
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Decent enough player but no real improvement on what we had before, albeit a bit younger.
Even if it were just that he's a bit younger, doesn't that make it an improvement?
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Is having his medical today :)
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lol i got a friend called shay with an E its a habbit to spell it like that now i do it with sean as well.
he's suspect at corners and crosses but so was big brad, almost like for like in that respect
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Is Shay short for Seamus or is it a name in it's own right?
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I think he is an improvement to be honest.
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
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Decent enough player but no real improvement on what we had before, albeit a bit younger.
Agreed, much of a muchness, however proof of the pudding and all that, problem is at his age we may see a completely different keeper coming back after such a long lay of.
Better options IMO and younger ones
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Is Shay short for Seamus or is it a name in it's own right?
i got a friend from wolvo called shayleigh so i wouldn't of thought so
edit female friend lol
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Allthough our record of signing City rejects is only so-so, I think this is a good move. Given was one of the top three GKs in PL two seasons ago. Hopefully he can come close to that level again next season (if the deal is completed).
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
Yes very unlucky on 80k a week.
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Allthough our record of signing City rejects is only so-so, I think this is a good move. Given was one of the top three GKs in PL two seasons ago. Hopefully he can come close to that level again next season (if the deal is completed).
Not even two seasons ago, it was this time last year! Granted he was injured last season, but he played brilliantly for Ireland. His fitness seems to be there, the best option we could have signed IMO.
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
Yes very unlucky on 80k a week.
i think he was more unlucky that the kid from blackpool turned out to be so good, i'd have loved joe hart at villa, seamus coleman came through blackpool youth as well didnt he? its there version of a golden generation lol
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
Yes very unlucky on 80k a week.
I would certainly hope to phuk we are not matching anything like that.
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I reckon he will be on 50k-60k a week. Pretty much what Friedel was on.
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
Yes very unlucky on 80k a week.
I would certainly hope to phuk we are not matching anything like that.
i reckon 65pw with city topping it up to 80 for him
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I wasn't totally impressed with Friedel so I'm in the 'this is a better signing' camp.
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Excellent keeper, Citeh failed to maximise his potential being the wankers they are.
Anyway, how many other players have received a papal blessing when they got married ?
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Excellent keeper, Citeh failed to maximise his potential being the wankers they are.
Anyway, how many other players have received a papal blessing when they got married ?
is that when you pay for your wedding via paypal? *gets coat*
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I wasn't totally impressed with Friedel so I'm in the 'this is a better signing' camp.
Not impressed with Friedel? You must be hard to please.
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I recon - he will have been on about 80k a week for them - he will drop 20k a week to come to us to "only" £60k , but will get a pay off from Man C and thats what they are srting out now
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He's negotiating a pay-off from City (same as Dunne did) which will offset a lower wage at Villa presumably.
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He's negotiating a pay-off from City (same as Dunne did) which will offset a lower wage at Villa presumably.
This is exactly what I expect to be happening.
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I'll have to insist on calling him Seamus, even if that's not his full name.
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Good signing
I liked Friedel but last season his was glued to his line and couldn't command his 6 yard box and his back four
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Decent enough player but no real improvement on what we had before, albeit a bit younger.
Agreed, much of a muchness, however proof of the pudding and all that, problem is at his age we may see a completely different keeper coming back after such a long lay of.
Better options IMO and younger ones
Shay is solid enough and hopefully will be in tune with Richard Dunne from set pieces, it's only his kicking under pressure that let's him down. We should definitely be looking at bringing in a young up and coming reserve keeper to take over in a couple of seasons, shame Guzan didn't quite live up to expectations. Trouble is 19 year old Nigel Spinks are hard to find these days.
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I'd be happy with this. I've always rated him.
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I'll have to insist on calling him Seamus, even if that's not his full name.
That's no problem, Melvin.
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a fit shay given in my opinion is a big improvement on friedal, he wil have worked with dunne on 100s of occassions and will command his box better than friedal, i expect far less chaos at corners and crosses.
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I'll have you know the accepted variation to Merv is Marv, John. Neither of which are my name in any case, but that's what happens when you share the same surname as a certain monster-moustached Australian fast bowler. Blimmin' nickname's stuck since my schooldays.
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
Yes very unlucky on 80k a week.
i think he was more unlucky that the kid from blackpool turned out to be so good, i'd have loved joe hart at villa, seamus coleman came through blackpool youth as well didnt he? its there version of a golden generation lol
joe hart was born in shrewsbury and joined city from shrewsbury, not blackpool.
he spent one month on loan at blackpool from city that is all.
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My only concern would be the amount of time he's missed through injury over the last couple of years or so but presumably any issues would be picked up by the medical.
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My only concern would be the amount of time he's missed through injury over the last couple of years or so but presumably any issues would be picked up by the medical.
Agreed , if his shoulder went and we were stuck with guzan long term id be worried,but hopefully hes all sorted and fit now.
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Isn't a predisposition to dislocated shoulders something which just "happens" as such and wouldn't be shown up on a medical?
Seem to recall us having this conversation re Curtis Davies a while back.
Although I might be totally wrong.
Given is a more than decent keeper, so as long as he stays injury free, he'll be fine.
Mind you, we'll have to reintroduce him to the game, and contact with footballs first. He'll be like Nelson Mandela emerging from prison and having to get used to how the world "is" all over again.
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People saying he is no better than Friedel will be pleasantly surprised I think. a superb GK who was unlukcy enough to be caught in the weird world of Man City.
Yes very unlucky on 80k a week.
i think he was more unlucky that the kid from blackpool turned out to be so good, i'd have loved joe hart at villa, seamus coleman came through blackpool youth as well didnt he? its there version of a golden generation lol
They came through the youth systems of Shrewsbury Town and Sligo Rovers respectively.
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Very good keeper. I'm worried about his shoulder though - even outfield players never seem to get over being prone to dislocation, so I'd imagine it's worse for keepers.
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Big thumbs up from me to Shay.
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Excellent keeper, loads of PL and international experience, good influence around the place, hungry after a year off from club football, at least three good years left in him and didn't cost a fortune. Am I missing something with this shoulder thing? I thought he'd only done it once and that was over a year ago.
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Good signing.
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Delighted, best keeper available
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Similar to Friedel, some good saves but also parries a lot of shots straight back into the 6 yard box and dosen't command his box at all well.
I'd have rather signed Foster tbh.
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Dunne, Ireland, Given and maybe SWP - the richest club in the world have just become a feeder club to the Villa!
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Looking at his shoulder injury, he disclocated his shoulder in April 2010 having played 44 games for Man City that season. The following season he loses his place to Joe Hart, and then suffers another shoulder injury in Feb 2011. However what I can't seem to find is if it is a recurrence of the same injury or something different.
What we have to consider though is despite the injuries he would have carried on playing reserve team football, and practising. Surely if the original injury was that bad it would have flared up again in training when he's diving around?
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Dunne, Ireland, Given and maybe SWP - the richest club in the world have just become a feeder club to the Villa!
Or we've become a dumping ground.
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Excellent keeper, loads of PL and international experience, good influence around the place, hungry after a year off from club football, at least three good years left in him and didn't cost a fortune. Am I missing something with this shoulder thing? I thought he'd only done it once and that was over a year ago.
Hopefully it's okay, I really rate him. What worried me was a post on here that said he's had two ops on it, the second one because the first had failed. Plus the recurring nature of that type of injury. It's a sizeable fee, and he'll be on big money for a longish contract, so it just seems a bit risky to me.
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What we have to consider though is despite the injuries he would have carried on playing reserve team football, and practising. Surely if the original injury was that bad it would have flared up again in training when he's diving around?
That's a good point. GK is probably the only position where training and matchdays are relatively similar.
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I'll have to insist on calling him Seamus, even if that's not his full name.
Ahem... Seamus John James Given (Shay for short) :D A fucking class act.
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Not my first choice but he should be solid enough. Hope his shoulder is fixed.
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What we have to consider though is despite the injuries he would have carried on playing reserve team football, and practising. Surely if the original injury was that bad it would have flared up again in training when he's diving around?
That's a good point. GK is probably the only position where training and matchdays are relatively similar.
He has also played for Ireland since his injury.
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Well , If his shoulder gets injured again , at least Ireland will have a shoulder to cry on on their days off ..
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Get him in, always been a top notch keeper.
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Decent addition. Hope he can stay fit.
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Providing his shoulder is finally fixed after two operations, I think he'll be a great signing.
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Shoulder will be assessed at the medical; I'm sure we wouldn't be buing a crook shoulder.
He has been playing for the Republic alongside Dunne and Clarke: I'm encouraged that there should be a very good working relationship between these three, which is really reassuring in the light of last season's dreadful defending.
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I'll have to insist on calling him Seamus, even if that's not his full name.
Ahem... Seamus John James Given (Shay for short) :D A fucking class act.
I fucking well knew it! Get in, Seamus! 8)
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Let's hope he's as useful as the last player with an injury prone record we signed from Manchester.
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Bit concerned we are replacing a keeper who hasn't missed a Premier League match for 50 years with one who has hardly played and has had problems with shoulder injuries.
Fingers crossed he is over the problem once and for all.
No doubt he is a class act.
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Top player let's get the deal done then we will have the goalkeeping position sorted out class goalie chuffed to bit's when he signs.
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Excellent goalkeeper. I'll be glad when the deal is confirmed.
I'm a bit worried though, can he shout " Away" as loud as Brad ?
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I'd be delighted. I've always been a Given fan. Largely for the Bozzie-esque shot stopping.
Btw, wasn't it Given who got his pants pulled down, figuratively speaking, by Dion Dublin, all those years back? Dubbers I think was still at Cov, and Given had just rolled the ball a few yards in front of him to kick it down field after all the players had retreated back, little realising Dublin was behind the goal line, sneaking up on him. That was classic stuff from his well hungedness.
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Given is a good goalkeeper and I think he'll be fine for us if he comes. I don't see too much difference between him, Foster, Green or Robinson on truth, but his experience just about puts him ahead of the others, I think, although Robinson is experienced too.
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good signing
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Delighted, best keeper available
In the UK market you mean. And other than the younger, better and more sellable to a big club Ben Foster.
It's strange, but I seem to remember a certain manager who only seemed to shop within the UK and at the experienced end of the market getting a lot of stick.
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Delighted, best keeper available
In the UK market you mean. And other than the younger, better and more sellable to a big club Ben Foster.
It's strange, but I seem to remember a certain manager who only seemed to shop within the UK and at the experienced end of the market getting a lot of stick.
I believe Given is the Best GK we could realistically get form any where. Can we also not abuse AMC for only buying from England after his first signing as well please? It is a tad ridiculous.
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Delighted, best keeper available
In the UK market you mean. And other than the younger, better and more sellable to a big club Ben Foster.
It's strange, but I seem to remember a certain manager who only seemed to shop within the UK and at the experienced end of the market getting a lot of stick.
Goalkeeper in my opinion is the one position that experience is really useful. Shay Given for 3-5 years is still a very good deal. If you spend big money on Foster and he suddenly drops a Scott Carson you're fucked in many ways. Look at Craig Gordon up at Sunderland, a bullet that we kind of dodged. Given is a proven and very safe bet at a decent price that will have the respect of all of the players at the club because they've all seen him play very well indeed over the years.
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Honestly don't understand why so many think Foster is better than Given, he just isn't!
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Good signing I think. Probably our best keeper since....Erm....Friedal.
Seriously though, isn't it great we don't sign keepers like Sorensen and Enkelman any more.
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Am I mising something, has he actually signed?
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Honestly don't understand why so many think Foster is better than Given, he just isn't!
True, there's no comparison. Foster had a good season for Birmingham, though shipped a lot of goals still, but Given's been around for donkeys and been, when he's played, mostly excellent. I think he's world class at his best and an ideal replacement for Big Brad. Foster I just don't see as being that much better than Carson or Green. He's not a patch on Robinson in my opinion, and at the moment I'd put Given and Robinson on par. Given was a cut above all of them a few years back. IF he has indeed recovered from his injury, he can get back to that form.
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Not signed as yet, but will do once pay off sorted with Man C (is the general consensus)
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Am I mising something, has he actually signed?
He was 'given' the Bodymoor Heath tour today but I don't think the £££ and medical was on agenda
- first job for new club Doctor McGuinness (quite apt ain't it)
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I hear he want's 90k a week. Maybe a little rich.
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I hear he want's 90k a week. Maybe a little rich.
Unless he is clueless, and I doubt he is, he should know he wont be getting that in B6.
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He won't be requesting £90K.
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The Man City pay-off will settle that. It's as per Dunne.
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I'd be delighted. I've always been a Given fan. Largely for the Bozzie-esque shot stopping.
Btw, wasn't it Given who got his pants pulled down, figuratively speaking, by Dion Dublin, all those years back? Dubbers I think was still at Cov, and Given had just rolled the ball a few yards in front of him to kick it down field after all the players had retreated back, little realising Dublin was behind the goal line, sneaking up on him. That was classic stuff from his well hungedness.
I remember the interview after that game where Given said he must be the only Irish man who didn't know where dublin was
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I've always rated Given. I think he's been shabbily treated by City really. Joe Hart is a brilliant keeper but Given was doing the job just fine until they decided they needed a nice shiny new signing in that position too. We'll have done well when he eventually signs on the dotted line.
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Medical over the weekend according to Matt K.
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As a shot-stopper I've always found Given impressive.
Tbh, I see he gets a bit of stick when it comes to "commanding his box" in set-pieces... is he not good at coming out and catching the ball or punching it, or are just a few people being a going a bit OTT?
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I honestly can't remember the last time Shay Given looked dodgy. He's not played regularly in a while but why this is being reported as a regular signing is beyond me.
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As a shot-stopper I've always found Given impressive.
Tbh, I see he gets a bit of stick when it comes to "commanding his box" in set-pieces... is he not good at coming out and catching the ball or punching it, or are just a few people being a going a bit OTT?
There are not that many who do to be fair to Given. The ones that do that as well as the shot stopping tend to be out there as the best in the world.
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As a shot-stopper I've always found Given impressive.
Tbh, I see he gets a bit of stick when it comes to "commanding his box" in set-pieces... is he not good at coming out and catching the ball or punching it, or are just a few people being a going a bit OTT?
he tends to not try either very often, hes a very much stay on his line and beat him if you can, at newcastle he played at his best with a good ball winnig CB to win all the headers collins for all his faults dose this very well from open play and dunne has been playing with him for 10 years or so for ireland so they should have a great chemistry. injury free the best finished article keeper we would be able to attract
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As a shot-stopper I've always found Given impressive.
Tbh, I see he gets a bit of stick when it comes to "commanding his box" in set-pieces... is he not good at coming out and catching the ball or punching it, or are just a few people being a going a bit OTT?
I've been closely watching Given's career since he made his debut for Ireland all the way back in 1996 (god that makes me feel old!). He's a top keeper. I'd say he's been Ireland's best and most consistant performer since Roy Keane retired, regularly kept us in games we didn't deserve.
I can understand his critics to an extent. He's not a very vocal or aggressive keeper like Schmeichel, perhaps a bit quiet at times. But overall I think he is a really good keeper, I don;t think that there are too many better than him at international or at club level.
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We are building a squad for Mark Hughes's arrival ;)
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I've always rated Given. I think he's been shabbily treated by City really. Joe Hart is a brilliant keeper but Given was doing the job just fine until they decided they needed a nice shiny new signing in that position too. We'll have done well when he eventually signs on the dotted line.
Hart was already at Man City, surely? He just did so well at Small Heath they had him back as first choice.
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Given is world class, as I've said before, an improvement on Brad. He does command his area well, why people think he doesn't is beyond me. He is top quality in all departments.
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Given will be unveiled on Tuesday the day we launch the new kit at Star City.
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Given is world class, as I've said before, an improvement on Brad. He does command his area well, why people think he doesn't is beyond me. He is top quality in all departments.
World class, not so sure. An improvement on Brad, yes. Quality in all departments, he isn't. He's better than what we last had if he stays fit, that's my main worry.
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He is a top notch keeper. But would of preferred Foster. Givens shouder injury worries me .......
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I mentioned this earlier, but if his shoulder is still a problem why hasn't he injured it again in training? He must be diving around. It's a concern, but maybe not as big as we are making it out to be.
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But with that type of injury surely no one can foresee the long term severity of the problem ? i would expect some clause in his contract regarding any future "setbacks" ....
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I mentioned this earlier, but if his shoulder is still a problem why hasn't he injured it again in training? He must be diving around. It's a concern, but maybe not as big as we are making it out to be.
I know what you mean, but, in the same breath, why not give Hargreaves a go? He looks good in the video doesn't he?
Given may be fine, but there is a cloud over him, in the same way as there always was with Laursen.
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There is a whole rain storm over Hargreaves. Would be a massive gamble. Given has only had this injury once. Hargreaves has had multiple "set backs" .....
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Hargreaves career as a footballer is pretty much over due to persistant and recurring injury...he only needs to stand up, jog on the spot and his leg practically falls off. Completely different kettle of fish to Given.
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And midfielders generally need to exert themselves more than keepers, so one as knackered as Hargreaves isn't going to be in huge demand.
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If we are to sign Given and keep the same centre backs, I just cant see us improving the defending of set pieces which we really need to do.
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Cuellar going may mean Dann coming in.
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Cuellar going may mean Dann coming in.
Hasn't Eck already said we can't afford him?
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If we are to sign Given and keep the same centre backs, I just cant see us improving the defending of set pieces which we really need to do.
I wouldnt worry, the Clown Houllier is gone. We weren't bad at defending them under MON and I would trust that Big Eck will be able to set us up well defensively having been a defender and also his rep for being a defensive manager.
Also, the myth about Given being useless on set pieces is.......a myth.
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Maybe, but he also said Downing isn't for sale. I'm not criticising him for this, just what football managers say, and what the truth actually is are often different things.
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Cuellar going may mean Dann coming in.
Hasn't Eck already said we can't afford him?
He also said Downing wasn't for sale. You have to take much of what is said with a pinch of salt.
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Chris, it's either great minds think alike or fools seldom differ.
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Cuellar going may mean Dann coming in.
Hasn't Eck already said we can't afford him?
He also said Downing wasn't for sale. You have to take much of what is said with a pinch of salt.
The possibility also exists that Dann was too expensive for our budget, but now that Downing has gone for £20m we could afford him?
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Cuellar going may mean Dann coming in.
Hasn't Eck already said we can't afford him?
He also said Downing wasn't for sale. You have to take much of what is said with a pinch of salt.
The possibility also exists that Dann was too expensive for our budget, but now that Downing has gone for £20m we could afford him?
Dann would be a bigger priority for me than Hutton...we don't need more right backs, and we could then afford to let CC go if that's what he wants and put the pressure on Dunne and Collins to do their job a sight better than they did last year.
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If we are to sign Given and keep the same centre backs, I just cant see us improving the defending of set pieces which we really need to do.
I wouldnt worry, I would trust that Big Eck will be able to set us up well defensively having been a defender and also his rep for being a defensive manager.
A defensive manager who's last team wasn't very good at defending. I think I'd prefer a taller keeper if we are keeping Dunne and Collins.
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Should we want to be buying players from a team that was relegated? There's a reason they were relegeated. I'm not sure Dann is any improvement.
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Should we want to be buying players from a team that was relegated? There's a reason they were relegeated. I'm not sure Dann is any improvement.
We've just sold a player for £20m that we signed from a relegated team and we got £24m for one last year.
Dann is a good player, even if not quite the genius that some at Small Heath think he is, and it s no coincidence that their slump last season happened after he got injured.
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That's right, Chirs. Although I would addd that Centre halves are all about partnerships so I'd worry about spending mega money on Dann (if indeed I was Randy Lerner)
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Not keen on him, but hey-ho.
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Not keen on him, but hey-ho.
Same here.
His command of his area makes Friedel look like Peter Schmeichel.
Still, it appears that he's coming in now. So best of luck to the guy.
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Better than Friedel in my opinion.
I liked the idea of Foster or Robinson but Given is up there too and I'm happy.
The other benfit being he knows Dunne and vice versa.
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Better than Friedel in my opinion.
I liked the idea of Foster or Robinson but Given is up there too and I'm happy.
The other benfit being he knows Dunne and vice versa.
This implies 2 things:
1 we've definitely got Given (sounds weird!)
2 that Dunne is gonna keep his place
I really hope we get SG. I think he'll be good
I have my suspicions about Dunny - immense two seasons ago, but why so shit for the majority of last season? Is he genuinely "past it"? And why the bust up with the coaches?
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Well I think we have Given signed and sealed and that Dunne will stay and most likey play.
It depends what state he's in but short of getting a top quality centre half in, and before Clark has reached his full potential, I'm not sure we have better than an in form Dunne at the moment.
I'm fairy sure McLeish will see it that way. And he may even get the best out of him, who knows?
Ideally I'd like to see Clark, Collins, Dunne and Dann as our options there.
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Not keen on him, but hey-ho.
Same here.
His command of his area makes Friedel look like Peter Schmeichel.
Still, it appears that he's coming in now. So best of luck to the guy.
I can't say I've ever paid enough attention to notice his lack of command of his area but I've read it in a few places now so believe there must be something in it. However, I think a lot of that is to do with the defence in front of him. As an example, last season it was a complaint regularly levelled at Freidel but the one before when we were defensively more solid it wasn't so much of an issue.
I'm hoping that will be the case here because if we don't tighten up at the back next season we're destined for more of the same.
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That's right, Chirs. Although I would addd that Centre halves are all about partnerships so I'd worry about spending mega money on Dann (if indeed I was Randy Lerner)
Dann's not bad but for the £15 million the press have been on about I would want two defenders of his quality.
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Happy enough with Given as #1, but we'll need a better backup than Guzan or Marshall as his injury record worries me. Is Siegrist ready to step up?
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I didn't watch Birmingham too closely last season, but according to some posts here Foster is very good, Johnson and Dann excellent, the manager is very good at organising a defense and they played with several defensive midfielders. Yet their defensive record was bad. Something doesn't add up.
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Happy enough with Given as #1, but we'll need a better backup than Guzan or Marshall as his injury record worries me. Is Siegrist ready to step up?
I think he is.......get rid of Brad Jnr
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I didn't watch Birmingham too closely last season, but according to some posts here Foster is very good, Johnson and Dann excellent, the manager is very good at organising a defense and they played with several defensive midfielders. Yet their defensive record was bad. Something doesn't add up.
I've got a few Bluenose mates and every one of them say that it all fell apart when Dann got injured. The previous season they turned grinding out boring 1-0 wins into an art form based on the strength of their defence.
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Got my doubts about this, he only played 4 times for his club last season, and that shoulder injury hasnt gone away, if we buy Given we have to have a reliable back up because i can see us needing him. Shay Given of 4 or 5 years ago, definitely, but now, i`m not so sure.
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I dont know about Guzan yet. He did well last season apparently but is he good enough?
Again, he's a shot stop specialist which I suppose you could level at Friedel and Given and a lot of modern keepers.
I dont know if his all round game is up to it. From what I've seen, Siegrist is very promising but still very young for a PL #2 keeper.
Elliot Parish is also decent and might fill the gap in the mean time but I dont think he'll ever worry the #1 spot whereas Siegrist will.
My gut feeling is we'll go with Friedel, Guzan and Marshall with Parish and Siegrist pushing the #3 spot next season. And that's not bad if not amazing.
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My gut feeling is we'll go with Friedel, Guzan and Marshall with Parish and Siegrist pushing the #3 spot next season. And that's not bad if not amazing.
Given presumably rather than Friedel?
It's hardly the best, but it does mean that goalkeeper is sorted out for a couple more years while Given winds down and Guzan develops.
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I dont know about Guzan yet. He did well last season apparently but is he good enough?
Again, he's a shot stop specialist which I suppose you could level at Friedel and Given and a lot of modern keepers.
I dont know if his all round game is up to it. From what I've seen, Siegrist is very promising but still very young for a PL #2 keeper.
Elliot Parish is also decent and might fill the gap in the mean time but I dont think he'll ever worry the #1 spot whereas Siegrist will.
My gut feeling is we'll go with Friedel, Guzan and Marshall with Parish and Siegrist pushing the #3 spot next season. And that's not bad if not amazing.
A risky strategy sticking with Friedel, Maz, all things considered! ;-)
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Oops!
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Hopefully Given coming in will help develop Seitgrist.
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Shoulder will be assessed at the medical; I'm sure we wouldn't be buing a crook shoulder.
Shoulder will be assessed at the medical; I'm sure we wouldn't be buing a crook shoulder.
Well if the dodgy shoulder lasts as well as the dodgy knees we bought from Manchester some time ago, I doubt there will be many complaints.
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Matt Kendrick says he passed his medical over the weekend.
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Some Citeh thoughts on this...
Link (http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=226481)
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Shay Given is a risky purchase in my opinion. He didn't play at all last season, and if he gets injured this season then Guzan playing behind a defence that was woeful last season doesn't inspire me with confidence.
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Shay Given is a risky purchase in my opinion. He didn't play at all last season, and if he gets injured this season then Guzan playing behind a defence that was woeful last season doesn't inspire me with confidence.
Agreed on both counts. If the gamble comes off it will be good business. But if it doesn't...
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I think it is worth going for at this price. If it work it will be sorted for few years, if not we can see emergence of young goalkeeper Seitgrist as it didn't do any harm for Barcelona/Real Madrid young goalkeeper and now there are regular and winning everything and world class goalkeepers.
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Shay Given is a risky purchase in my opinion. He didn't play at all last season, and if he gets injured this season then Guzan playing behind a defence that was woeful last season doesn't inspire me with confidence.
Agreed on both counts. If the gamble comes off it will be good business. But if it doesn't...
Getting injured is a risk for any player whether he has a history or not. Yes Given had a serious injury in 2010, we don't know if the 2011 injury was the same as the first. Also, he hasn't been injured in training since so maybe it's been fixed or at least in much better shape. I think the club will put him through a serious check up before saying yes.
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Shay Given is a risky purchase in my opinion. He didn't play at all last season, and if he gets injured this season then Guzan playing behind a defence that was woeful last season doesn't inspire me with confidence.
Agreed on both counts. If the gamble comes off it will be good business. But if it doesn't...
Getting injured is a risk for any player whether he has a history or not. Yes Given had a serious injury in 2010, we don't know if the 2011 injury was the same as the first. Also, he hasn't been injured in training since so maybe it's been fixed or at least in much better shape. I think the club will put him through a serious check up before saying yes.
He's already passed his medical at the weekend
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Downing passed his medical with a broken foot! ;)
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you have to wonder whether the club will just wait until tomorrow to announce Given with the home kit launch.
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It'll be announced today, Villa usually do things like this after 5pm and then they'll parade him tomorrow at kit launch.
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My bet is about 6 or 7 O'clock this evening. Tomorrow will all be about the new chess boa.. I mean, kit.
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I would even bet on Given had his first training session today.
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Going to happen today according to what Mat Kendrick is being told.
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good. He'll be a very welcome addition.
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Why do we take so long about these things, particularly when the guy wants to come to us?
Also how come we can seemingly only work on one transfer deal at a time?
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[
Also how come we can seemingly only work on one transfer deal at a time?
[/quote]
you don't know this! we've always operated fairly secretively.
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Getting injured is a risk for any player whether he has a history or not. Yes Given had a serious injury in 2010, we don't know if the 2011 injury was the same as the first. Also, he hasn't been injured in training since so maybe it's been fixed or at least in much better shape. I think the club will put him through a serious check up before saying yes.
Of course they will, and he may never have as much as a twinge in either shoulder again, in which case we'll have ourselves a bargain. On the other hand he damaged the other shouder the second time so it's a risk - especially with Guzan as the option.
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Have we got Blues' goalkeeping coach? If so he worked wonders with Hart and Foster and I reckon he could improve Guzan too. His shot-stopping is very good but he is suspect when the opposition (usually Blackburn as he only plays cup games) put big buggers against him. He's still young enough to improve though.
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Have we got Blues' goalkeeping coach? If so he worked wonders with Hart and Foster and I reckon he could improve Guzan too. His shot-stopping is very good but he is suspect when the opposition (usually Blackburn as he only plays cup games) put big buggers against him. He's still young enough to improve though.
He stayed there didn't he? Ours is still Gonzalez according to the OS.
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Not sure to be honest. Hopefully the OS is just out of date.
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Weren't people saying he was the only decent coach from Blues and we didn't get him
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Dave Watson isn't it? Played for Barnsley and had to quit early in his career through injury. He's still at Blues and I haven't heard any talk that that's going to change. The other Watson (Andy) has left Blues as far as I know but i don't think he's coming either. The word is he got the hump with AM because he wasn't tipped off that he was quitting and heard it like everyone else through the press.
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That's a shame then. Maybe loan Guzan to Blues as part of the Dann deal and bring in another keeper as back up for now?
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I think there is a good keeper in Guzan and would keep him as the second choice. I must admit I haven't tracked his progress when he was out on loan but before he crumbled, he played really well.
Its no coincidence that the rest of our defence was beginning to disintegrate at the same time.
There are not many keepers about who have not gone through losses of confidence and maybe Brad will get better.
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SSN-Pictures of Shay at Bodymoor signing autographs.Must be done now
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I think there is a good keeper in Guzan and would keep him as the second choice. I must admit I haven't tracked his progress when he was out on loan but before he crumbled, he played really well.
Its no coincidence that the rest of our defence was beginning to disintegrate at the same time.
There are not many keepers about who have not gone through losses of confidence and maybe Brad will get better.
I agree.
He was more or less adored until the crazy Blackburn game and I don't remember too many bad performances from him other than that one.
He'll be just fine as back-up for a while yet.
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He is very young for a keeper. My 28-29 he could be a premiership keeper I am sure. Maybe 3 years of Given and he would be ready, but he needs to go back out on loan a couple of times before that. A lower prem side aka Hart and Foster would do him good I think. He is a talent. 12 months at Blues with their coach would actually be a good call, although I can't see Foster leaving them this summer now.
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It's official. Welcome to the greatest club in the world, Shay. Do us proud.
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Just seen him stretching a shirt at Bodymoor Heath.
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Welcome aboard Mr Given.
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Where?
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Where?
Bodymoor Heath is a small village in the North Warwickshire district of the county of Warwickshire in England, situated on, and with a bridge over, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal close to the much larger village of Kingsbury.
Bodymoor Heath is also the home of Aston Villa Football Club's Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
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Five year deal according to someone on a Man City forum.
That's a long-time for a 35 year old keeper if true.
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Blue & pink goalie shirt....bring back the the tiger shirt!!
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Great signing!
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Welcome to our club Shay.
Good luck.
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Where?
Bodymoor Heath is a small village in the North Warwickshire district of the county of Warwickshire in England, situated on, and with a bridge over, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal close to the much larger village of Kingsbury.
Bodymoor Heath is also the home of Aston Villa Football Club's Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
Aaaah, THAT Bodymoor Heath.
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It's official. Welcome to the greatest club in the world, Shay. Do us proud.
What Legion said.
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Welcome Shay, stay fit and get that rabble in front of you organised.
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Good luck Shay. Good signing. As long as he keeps fit, a 3-4 year deal is about right for a 35 year old keeper, as it will take him to the end of his playing career. 5 years is generous.
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Welcome aboard Seamus!
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I've just read £3.5m, 5 years, 50k a week.
If he stays fit we have a top top keeper.
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Welcome Shay. I have great confidence that he'll do very well for us.
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Made for the Villa.Welcome Shay
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Never been a fan. But the very best of luck to him. I hope he proves me wrong.
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/d1/ab/0,,10265~9808849,00.jpg)
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Welcome to the Villa Shay.!
Hope your stay is a long and successful injury free one
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Best keeper down here since bozzie- welcome shay!
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Does he use the same personal trainer as Dunne? Good God man, get rid of that extra chin!
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That photo doesn't do him many favours...except one, in that he's now wearing the badge of the greatest club on God's green earth. Welcome, Mr Given.
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I've always rated him. Welcome aboard Shay. Feel free to bring Milner with you. Fuck it, I'll even settle for Tevez.
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Does he use the same personal trainer as Dunne? Good God man, get rid of that extra chin!
Not a flattering angle, is it?!
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Photo gallery on OS but nothing in the news section.
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Welcome to the Villa, Shay. Do us proud please.
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(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/d1/ab/0,,10265~9808849,00.jpg)
[/quote]How very camp.
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I still can't see anything mentioned on the OS. Still, welcome Shay, stay fit and we could have a good deal.
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He looks like he's been on the Dunne Plan diet in that photo.
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According to SSN and the BBC he is still only on the verge of signing.
The story isn't even on Pvarda yet!
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Or Pravda, either.
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Either he's signed, or he's nicked a shirt.
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Where did you get the photo from folks? looks like the offical announcement isn't out there yet. Maybe being held for the shirt launch?
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As you were on the OS now http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2395397,00.html
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It's there now, lads. http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2395397,00.html
I actually like that goalie shirt. Really like it. Not the neck, though.
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Or the extra chin.
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He is looking a bit of a porker isn't he.
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As somebody mentioned a few days ago, i'd have Dunne and Clark as our first choice pairing now as along with Given they should have an excellent understanding.
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He looks like he's been on the Dunne Plan diet in that photo.
yeah just what i was thinking hopefully a bad angle, the wierd thing about Given is that he always looks shorter than he actually is
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Welcome Shay, hopefully you can stay free on injuries and be a success for us.
And words cannot express the level of hatred I feel towards Jim White.
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Welcome to Villa Shay, I'm surprised it's a 5 year deal but good luck.
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Welcome Shay. Best of Luck.
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5 year deal? Jesus Christ!
You do have to winder why they weren't prepared to offer Big Brad a similar contract...
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5 year deal? Jesus Christ!
You do have to winder why they weren't prepared to offer Big Brad a similar contract...
Because he's 5 years younger than Brad?
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5 year deal? Jesus Christ!
You do have to winder why they weren't prepared to offer Big Brad a similar contract...
Because he's 5 years younger than Brad?
Ah - you're not wrong there. Still, 5 years is a long time for a 35 year old.
And for the record: I should have said wonder, not winder. Over-excitement you see.
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Thank blOody god, finAlly villa
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Glad that's sorted at last. I'm sure he will be a good signing. I do wonder why our record signings like Bent only get 4 year deals but a 35 year old gets a 5 year deal ??
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Welcome Shay,best of luck. Just hope you can get your ex mates Dunne and Ireland to start playing now .
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Welcome to Villa, Shay.
Possibly, hopefully, the best keeper we've had since Bosnich.
Good start to the incomings. NEXT!
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Glad that's sorted at last. I'm sure he will be a good signing. I do wonder why our record signings like Bent only get 4 year deals but a 35 year old gets a 5 year deal ??
Bent was 4 1/2 years I think.
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5 YEARS???? Please tell me that is a joke.
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Welcome aboard Shay. If he can stay fit he'll do a good job for us. Better than signing Foster for an over inflated price.
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Glad that's sorted at last. I'm sure he will be a good signing. I do wonder why our record signings like Bent only get 4 year deals but a 35 year old gets a 5 year deal ??
It's obviously part of the package...it makes him pretty much secure for the rest of his playing career and that's gotta be a big attraction for a 35 yr old..a bit like the deal Spuds offered Brad but we didn't!
Welcome Shay...see you at the Holte End!
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5 YEARS???? Please tell me that is a joke.
He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?
Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?
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Maybe he wanted more per week if the contract was less? This way if he chooses to retire at 38 presumably we don't have to pay the final two years.
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5 YEARS???? Please tell me that is a joke.
He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?
Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?
As a G-K, he's in his prime. The chin remarks are tongue-in-cheeks(s).
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Great signing if he's anywhere near as consistent playing-wise as his predecessor.
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35 is fine for age thinking about it, provided he keeps fit he can play for a long time yet. I think he's a top signing. We now need to follow with several more.
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Excellent news, was my first choice from the moment we let Brad go. Five year contract is fine for a goalkeeper that age. Really pleased.
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One of the best Premier league goal keepers in recent times, good signing.
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5 YEARS???? Please tell me that is a joke.
He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?
Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?
As a G-K, he's in his prime. The chin remarks are tongue-in-cheeks(s).
surely it was a chin(s) remark?
Very happy with this signing. I hope this also brings out the best in Dunne and Ireland.
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Welcome to Aston Villa Shay Given; top class keeper and still in his prime.
Hoping he can stay injury free and who knows he might even have a word with Fruitcake Ireland and get him to put some effort in!
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Best deal ever. Well done everyone at VP for getting this one done now move in and get N'Zogbia in this week.
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Ever?
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Yes ever (so far) £3,5M for a top top GK yes great deal unique in living memory.
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A five year deal for a 35 year old with a dodgy recent fitness record is fairly insane though, however good he is.
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Yes I am surprised at the length of contract. 3 years would have been better.
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Well, if he's still the same keeper from a couple of years ago we've got one of / if not the best in the league and you've got to be pleased with that for £3.5.
A 5 year contract is surprising however we never know how these things are structured. For example he could start out at £50k a week and then tail off during the final couple of years.
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5 YEARS???? Please tell me that is a joke.
He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?
Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?
TV, there must be some propper gym buddies on here with the comments on his chin. Feck, from an above photo I look like I have 3 chins, let alone when my head is facing down at a camera! A bunch of pot bellied 30 plus fellas and a stick (yes Legion, you are a stick) giving a world class keeper stick for his chin on the first photo of him in a Villa shirt!!!
Now, get in goals ya fat bastard and keep some clean sheets.
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Not sure how true it is but someone was mentioning the other day that the deal is designed so that the last couple of seasons are as a player coach.
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How do i check on recent posts, i stuck a post on here which i'm pretty sure loaded up and its vanished...............Unless I put it on another thread?
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Yes ever (so far) £3,5M for a top top GK yes great deal unique in living memory.
Hmm, I feel the £2m for Brad was the better deal, absolutely top notch and ever present for donkeys years.
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Don't give a toss at the length of the contract, we've got a keeper that single handedly kept Newcastle in respectable scorelines when there was no end of rabble in front of him.
Welcome onboard son and do us proud.
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How do i check on recent posts, i stuck a post on here which i'm pretty sure loaded up and its vanished...............Unless I put it on another thread?
Anybody.......Or has the post been removed.
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Not sure how true it is but someone was mentioning the other day that the deal is designed so that the last couple of seasons are as a player coach.
It sort of makes sense and is a bit of a carrot if he has no other plans for his longer term future sorted yet.
Looking forward to him being one of our heroes!
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Good signing.
Nothing more need be said.
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Don't give a toss at the length of the contract, we've got a keeper that single handedly kept Newcastle in respectable scorelines when there was no end of rabble in front of him.
Welcome onboard son and do us proud.
fully agree with this
maybe Villa had to give him a 5 year deal to get him here - anyway welcome to the fun house Shay
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5 years fuck me! Still a good keeper. Welcome son
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How do i check on recent posts, i stuck a post on here which i'm pretty sure loaded up and its vanished...............Unless I put it on another thread?
Anybody.......Or has the post been removed.
Weird, that's the second time, oh well................
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How do i check on recent posts, i stuck a post on here which i'm pretty sure loaded up and its vanished...............Unless I put it on another thread?
Anybody.......Or has the post been removed.
Weird, that's the second time, oh well................
If you click 'profile' which is next to 'my messages' and then when in your profile click 'show posts' you will see all your posts so should at least be able to see if you posted it in a different thread.
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How do i check on recent posts, i stuck a post on here which i'm pretty sure loaded up and its vanished...............Unless I put it on another thread?
Anybody.......Or has the post been removed.
Weird, that's the second time, oh well................
Go to your Profile you should see an option to view all your posts
Edit: PeterWithesShin beat me to it !
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5 years is long but should take him to the end of his career, potential coaching opportunities there after and we wont have to worry about bringing in a new GK for at least another 3/4 years as long as he stays fit.
Good luck and keep some clean sheets! :)
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Got it, that is the link, the post has vanished and so as the one from a few days ago.
Must have been deleted.
Cheers for that anyway.
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He looks like he's been on the Dunne Plan diet in that photo.
yeah just what i was thinking hopefully a bad angle, the wierd thing about Given is that he always looks shorter than he actually is
Isn't he like 6 foot 1? I always thought he was a migit!
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Welcome Shay. Finally a player moving in the right direction!
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5 YEARS???? Please tell me that is a joke.
He's a goalkeeper so it's not the end of the world from that standpoint. Brad stayed fit and just signed a two year deal at Spurs at the age of 40. Also, if he may decide to retire before then, you never know. Either way, if approaching 40 he's still in top form why get rid?
Oh and give the new bloke a break on the photo. He's in his mid-thirties looking down into a camera. Most of us would have three chins!! That top is horrible though. What the fuck are Nike thinking with these designs?
TV, there must be some propper gym buddies on here with the comments on his chin. Feck, from an above photo I look like I have 3 chins, let alone when my head is facing down at a camera! A bunch of pot bellied 30 plus fellas and a stick (yes Legion, you are a stick) giving a world class keeper stick for his chin on the first photo of him in a Villa shirt!!!
Now, get in goals ya fat bastard and keep some clean sheets.
I expect and would only accept the chin comments to come from the likes The Situation who constantly reminds us that he's ripped as fuck and only goes out with 8/10's at a minimum. The rest of us fat fuckers need to keep quiet about chins, diets and waistlines.
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Good signing.
Nothing more need be said.
Allow me to revise my opinion having seen the photo.
Never mind the chins, why the fuck is he wearing a blue shirt with white writing? I thought he'd signed for Small Heath until I saw the badge.
What self respecting, law abiding, god fearing 'Nose hating Villa fan would wear a royal blue shirt? Expect to see racks of those at a knock down price come next summer in the now traditional "Can't shift the fucking things" sale in the club shop.
I'm back to my usual angry self again.
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It was only last Friday that we were looking at the Heskey contract. This one seems an even bigger risk - c.£16.5m outlay? Hope he's more of a success than Ivanhoe!
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The five year deal will be the compromise for lower wages.
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When the contract ends he'll still be younger than the man he's replaced.
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5 years younger
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Welcome aboard Seamus. Very pleased to see you. Now stay fit for 5 years and get us at least 8 clean sheets a season.
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When the contract ends he'll still be younger than the man he's replaced.
5 years younger
An open goal, but an expert finish.
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Good signing.
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Absolute hero for Ireland, sure he will go on to great things with us. Fantastic 'keeper.
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Yes ever (so far) £3,5M for a top top GK yes great deal unique in living memory.
Hmm, I feel the £2m for Brad was the better deal, absolutely top notch and ever present for donkeys years.
That £2M is £5M in today's "Andy Carroll" transfer exchange rate!
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When the contract ends he'll still be younger than the man he's replaced.
5 years younger
An open goal, but an expert finish.
maybe Nirog72 thinks Shay is a time traveller!
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*Facepalm*
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What a diabolical goalkeeping kit. Has this been mentioned already? Probably, but the point remains.
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When the contract ends he'll still be younger than the man he's replaced.
5 years younger
An open goal, but an expert finish.
maybe Nirog72 thinks Shay is a time traveller!
Erm........
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What a diabolical goalkeeping kit. Has this been mentioned already? Probably, but the point remains.
I blame McLeish for it.
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I quite like the blue... but red safari bits? Really?
Oh well, who buys a keeper shirt anyway, right?
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Potential Captian?
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I'd wager that he'll earn in five years at Villa what he would have done for the rest of his deal (3 more years) at Wastelands and the length of the contract was a sticking point that held the deal up . Maybe he couldn't agree on the terms of the golden handshake from City but us, being desperate to get him, agreed to a generous career-ending contract. Good work by his agent.
I'm kind of surprised Newcastle weren't back in for him given (hey!) his record there. I know his best mate Harper has finally emerged from the shadows to show he's a decent goalie but the Barcodes are one of those clubs who often let their heart rule their heads when it comes to signings.
Anyway despite all that, he's a fine goalkeeper and as long as he's fit and injury-free I'd much prefer to have him between the sticks than Friedel.
So three EIRE players now at the club...almost back to the number we had in heady days of the mid-90's of God, Stan, Townsend and Houghton (and Farrelly if you count him). I just hope to feck this doesn't mean McGeadie or Keane are next.
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So three EIRE players now at the club...almost back to the number we had in heady days of the mid-90's of God, Stan, Townsend and Houghton (and Farrelly if you count him). I just hope to feck this doesn't mean McGeadie or Keane are next.
Four if you include the mad man.
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I don't know much about McGeady but why do people have such strong opinions against him? The little I've seen of him he hasn't struck me as the kind of player who warrants this level of opposition. I know he's likely no world beater but is he really that bad? He's young, a tidy looking player with good footwork and dribbling skills. Genuine question, but do people who wouldn't want him have significant knowledge of his play or are you just against him because others are? I honestly didn't know we had such avid watchers of the SPL on here.
I don't think we'dll sign him plus his injured, but would it really be that bad if we did?
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So three EIRE players now at the club...almost back to the number we had in heady days of the mid-90's of God, Stan, Townsend and Houghton (and Farrelly if you count him). I just hope to feck this doesn't mean McGeadie or Keane are next.
Four if you include the mad man.
Is was actually Clakker Clark who I forgot, four then yeah. Any chance they can win us a Coca Cola Cup this season?
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
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Still have my doubts on this one but hey i'll be fully behind him.
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On Radio 5 this morning, the surprise at the length of the contract was obvious in the sports news guy's voice.
A three year deal seems reasonable to me.
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
Plus they've got eyebrows on their cheeks, and they ride horses around housing estates.
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On Radio 5 this morning, the surprise at the length of the contract was obvious in the sports news guy's voice.
A three year deal seems reasonable to me.
They are not the only ones who are surprised by it. I nearly spat out my tea when I saw the length of the deal.
I'm very happy that he is here, but I am seriously failing to see the sense in giving an extremely injury prone goalie such a long contract.
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Why are people so worried at the length of deal?
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Why are people so worried at the length of deal?
He'll be 40 at the end of it
He hasn't played regularly for more than a season
Potential injury risk
I know that Villa we're in desperate need of a keeper but, unless there was another club bidding for Given's services, I don't see why more than 3 years needed to be offered
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Why are people so worried at the length of deal?
He'll be 40 at the end of it
He hasn't played regularly for more than a season
Potential injury risk
I know that Villa we're in desperate need of a keeper but, unless there was another club bidding for Given's services, I don't see why more than 3 years needed to be offered
As someone else said.It must be the compromise of having to having to drop his wages
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
Plus they've got eyebrows on their cheeks, and they ride horses around housing estates.
Don't forget the toothless simpletons.
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
That, in a word, is bollocks!
Does the fact a country does not qualify for a tournament mean they're all shit players? Yorke springs to mind, but you also had that old Wales team that contained Rush, Hughes, Deano and Ryan Giggs. And would you turn down Bale and Ramsey now because Wales didn't get to the World Cup? Thought not.
The Ireland side is realtively poor right now, but again still has some good players involved in it. And if Henry wasn't a cheating French wanker the argument wouldn't hold.
Most of the palyers you mention weren't Ireland products anyway, but brought to England at a young age and developed by PL clubs. I think Given is slightly different and played for Sligo Rovers, but not sure at what age he first came over.
Given is a fine keeper and will be an asset to the side.
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John, ignore him, he hasn't had an anti-FAI (justified) / Irish player (not-so-much) whinge in a while so he was probably just letting off a bit of steam. I'm just surprised that he didn't label all Irish players disgraces or some other nonsense.
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Well I'm very pleased with the signing of Given and not at least concerned about the length of the contract. Welcome to Villa Shay 8)
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
I hope we sign Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane just for you xxx
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i think this is a cracking signing... and for a very good price...
good deal all round...
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
McGrath
Staunton
Townsend
Haycock
Martin
Walsh
Saward
Houghton
Clarke
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Deacy.
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Garreth Farrelly
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Slaphead? Imaginary family bereavements? Half a good season in 4 years? Garishly painted 4x4's? A blatent lack of respect for the people paying your outrageous wages?....
...'Dere's more ta Oirland, dan dis.
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Bosk O'Balaban.
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Slaphead? Imaginary family bereavements? Half a good season in 4 years? Garishly painted 4x4's? A blatent lack of respect for the people paying your outrageous wages?....
...'Dere's more ta Oirland, dan dis.
I really wish people would stop using this as a stick to beat him with. There's enough ammunition to use on him without going into how he mishandled his girlfriend's miscarriage.
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Slaphead? Imaginary family bereavements? Half a good season in 4 years? Garishly painted 4x4's? A blatent lack of respect for the people paying your outrageous wages?....
...'Dere's more ta Oirland, dan dis.
I really wish people would stop using this as a stick to beat him with. There's enough ammunition to use on him without going into how he mishandled his girlfriend's miscarriage.
You're right, there's plenty of other sticks to beat him with. My personal choice would be one of those that the Merseyside constabulary are keen on sporting.
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
How's that nice Mr Keano getting on in management?
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Bosk O'Balaban.
Ian O'Lney?
IGMC
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At least we may now have a keeper that might get a sniff with penalties - Brad was awful with them and never got close
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From the north but our last FA Cup hero... and judging from his middle name, that of Shay's full first name, I'm guessing his ma and pa considered themselves Irish.
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Bosk O'Balaban.
Ian O'Lney?
IGMC
Sav O'Milosevic?
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Deano Saunders.
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Decent signing at a decent price IF he's not broken. Bit surprised at the length of contract handed out, but i'm guessing it's partly as compensation for the wage cut.
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Bosk O'Balaban.
Ian O'Lney?
IGMC
Sav O'Milosevic?
Andyt O'Wnsend
I'm being silly now, nothing Irish about him at all!
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Decent signing at a decent price IF he's not broken. Bit surprised at the length of contract handed out, but i'm guessing it's partly as compensation for the wage cut.
You could be right, I just hope we're not discussing him in a similar vein to Beye or Heskey in a couple of years time, ie as an older player, who we can't get shut of because of his daft contract.
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Decent signing at a decent price IF he's not broken. Bit surprised at the length of contract handed out, but i'm guessing it's partly as compensation for the wage cut.
You could be right, I just hope we're not discussing him in a similar vein to Beye or Heskey in a couple of years time, ie as an older player, who we can't get shut of because of his daft contract.
Cant see it with him. For one thing we're not likely to get a better keeper and Given actually wants to play. So that's Beye 2-0 down already.
The only question mark is the injury situation, which is often exaggerated, and you just have to trust the medical guys to get it right.
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I think it's about the use we get out of them. Given isn't a spring chicked at 35, so most will accept we'll need replacing in the not too distant future, but if he plays well for 4 years we'll have justified the decision to sign him. Were he then to see out the last year of his contract as 2nd choice I personally wouldn't be arguing about what we're paying him to do it, as we'll have had our value in the preceeding 4 years.
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Great first signing. Much better keeper than Friedel with a big point to prove. Let's hope his injury worries are a thing of the past.
As an impressionable young lad, I started supporting Villa when they had four top Irish players- McGrath, Townsend, Staunton and Houghton. Now four Irish players back at Villa, well 3 and one by default.
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On paper a very good signing. But he's been out twice for long periods in the last two seasons with dislocated shoulders (both shoulders now), which must be a concern for a keeper.
I know he'll have been put through a tough medical but I shall still wince every time he's called into action.
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As an impressionable young lad, I started supporting Villa when they had four top Irish players- McGrath, Townsend, Staunton and Houghton.
Snap.
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I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).
PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.
How's that nice Mr Keano getting on in management?
How have that little country in green got on without him?
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Cant see it with him. For one thing we're not likely to get a better keeper and Given actually wants to play.
I fail to see how with a transfer fee of £3.5M an similar wages we couldn't have gotten just as good a keeper from the continent, and maybe even signed a slightly younger player, who might have a bit of sell on value and not be made of glass. What are we going to do when he next dislocates his shoulder and has to sit out a season? Very risky signing IMHO...
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Well, you've just cited the worst case scenario of a new signing getting injured and missing the entire season, so I'd agree, if that happens it's backfired. Alternatively, Given could play a full season at the kind of form he's shown for ten years, and we'd have one of the best 'keepers in the league on our hands, and £3.5m would look an absolute snip. We don't yet how it'll turn out.
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Cant see it with him. For one thing we're not likely to get a better keeper and Given actually wants to play.
I fail to see how with a transfer fee of £3.5M an similar wages we couldn't have gotten just as good a keeper from the continent, and maybe even signed a slightly younger player, who might have a bit of sell on value and not be made of glass. What are we going to do when he next dislocates his shoulder and has to sit out a season? Very risky signing IMHO...
I mean a better keeper now that we have bought him. In other words, we're not likely to go and buy a keeper to replace Given any time soon unless he is injured. Whereas with Beye we had better already.
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What are we going to do when he next dislocates his shoulder and has to sit out a season? Very risky signing IMHO...
What are we going to do if we sign N'Zogbia and the next day he gets hit by a badger and breaks his femur?
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What are we going to do when he next dislocates his shoulder and has to sit out a season? Very risky signing IMHO...
What are we going to do if we sign N'Zogbia and the next day he gets hit by a badger and breaks his femur?
Fit all our players with badger padding.
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What are we going to do when he next dislocates his shoulder and has to sit out a season? Very risky signing IMHO...
What are we going to do if we sign N'Zogbia and the next day he gets hit by a badger and breaks his femur?
Fit all our players with badger padding.
All our players should play in those big fuck off bubbles from The Prisoner.
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What are we going to do when he next dislocates his shoulder and has to sit out a season? Very risky signing IMHO...
What are we going to do if we sign N'Zogbia and the next day he gets hit by a badger and breaks his femur?
Fit all our players with badger padding.
All our players should play in those big fuck off bubbles from The Prisoner.
I thought Dunne had swallowed one of those last season.
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Lads, that's not the point and ye all know it. The fact is Given has popped both his shoulders recently and medical or no medical, once you do that it's more likely to happen again, especially in a position where you have to dive onto the ground with your arms outstretched regularly during a game. He's only an OK keeper now (he was very good a few years ago, but I think has gone downhill since, prob not helped by all his injuries). My worry is that he's more likely to get injured than another keeper would have been. Anyway as Maz has pointed out we're stuck with him now and unlikely to sign another unless he does blow another shoulder joint, which is the scenario I am concerned about...
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At least we may now have a keeper that might get a sniff with penalties - Brad was awful with them and never got close
Anyone know Friedel's penalty save record whilst at Villa by the way? I can't recall any saves or misses against him at all.
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According to this website (http://www.football-lineups.com/tourn/FA_Premier_League_2007-2008/stats/penalties/), the last time anyone missed a penalty against us was in 2007/8, when Sorensen was the goalkeeper. The same website indicates six out of six for opponents in 2008/9 (http://www.football-lineups.com/tourn/FA_Premier_League_2008-2009/stats/penalties/), the same record in 2009/10 (http://www.football-lineups.com/tourn/FA_Premier_League_2009-2010/stats/penalties/) and four out of four last season (http://www.football-lineups.com/tourn/FA_Premier_League_2010-2011/stats/penalties/), meaning that Brad faced sixteen penalties as Villa keeper and every single one hit the net.
We're due some saves next term, Shay!
</geek>
EDIT: One of them was let in by Guzan after Friedel was sent off (incorrectly) at Anfield when we lost 5-0. Just 15/15 for Brad, then.
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The thing with Friedel was, if it was within his arms reach his reactions were superb, but he was as agile as the Queen Mary 2 and couldn't really move to anything.
That's at least not true of Given, who is very agile. Even with an extra chin. Probably.
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cb, how many shoulder joints does he have?
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Comments from The Fiver in Guardian about our new goalkeeper:-
"In his increasingly rare moments of clarity, the Fiver's drink-addled, pig-toting knobbly-stick-waving Irish cousin Theme Pub O'Fiver has a theory about Shay Given from the County Donegal. To borrow a phrase from his opinionated champagne-swilling brother in arms Eamon Dunphy, Theme Pub is prepared to concede that while Shay Given from the County Donegal is a good goalkeeper, he is not a great goalkeeper. It is a point of view that has earned poor auld Theme Pub the opprobrium and slaps of many compatriots who worship at the altar of St Shay of Given and will not hear a bad word said about the goalkeeper, who hails from the County Donegal.
What Theme Pub has noticed, albeit through half-open bloodshot eyes, is that Shay Given from the County Donegal has played behind some terrible defences in his time; terrible defences starring players who became a laughing stock when they played in front of Given, but strangely went on to resurrect their careers elsewhere, lining up in back fours that played in front of goalkeepers that conspicuously weren't Shay Given from the County Donegal. Yes, Titus Bramble the Fiver is looking at you. And you Fabricio Coloccini and Joleon Lescott ... the rest of you know who you are.
But while Given has been described by Roberto Mancini as "one of the five best goalkeepers in the world", he is not the best goalkeeper at Manchester City and has subsequently been shipped out. As is customary, no club that Jamie Redknapp would describe as "top top top top" has come in for him, so instead he has been sentenced to five years at Aston Villa for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m. It's a good bit of business for Villa, who have got themselves a goalie renowned as "a great shot-stopper", but whose ability to command his six-yard box is a mite questionable.
"Aston Villa is a huge football club and I'm really excited to be joining," said Given upon inking his contract, as you do. "I'm looking forward to training and playing with the players here. They're a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help." Be afraid Richard Dunne and James Collins. Be very, very afraid. For that man in green anchored to his goalline not coming for that cross is Shay Given from the County Donegal."
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Lads, that's not the point and ye all know it. The fact is Given has popped both his shoulders recently and medical or no medical, once you do that it's more likely to happen again, especially in a position where you have to dive onto the ground with your arms outstretched regularly during a game. He's only an OK keeper now (he was very good a few years ago, but I think has gone downhill since, prob not helped by all his injuries). My worry is that he's more likely to get injured than another keeper would have been. Anyway as Maz has pointed out we're stuck with him now and unlikely to sign another unless he does blow another shoulder joint, which is the scenario I am concerned about...
think you've a good point. Shoulder injuries are pretty bad anyway. On a 'keeper doubly so and there's always the fear of dislocation again and restrictive movement. However hopefully's he's really been put through the mill by our medical team to even get the necesssary insurance for the deal to go through. If he did break down with a recurrance they'd oughta be shot for allowing it, so i doubt they'd have given the go-ahead if there weren't convinced
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Well, if the Fiver is correct, we have experience of a goalie being rooted to the line for every corner/set piece over the last 18months so at least we know what to expect
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Comments from The Fiver in Guardian about our new goalkeeper:-
"In his increasingly rare moments of clarity, the Fiver's drink-addled, pig-toting knobbly-stick-waving Irish cousin Theme Pub O'Fiver has a theory about Shay Given from the County Donegal. To borrow a phrase from his opinionated champagne-swilling brother in arms Eamon Dunphy, Theme Pub is prepared to concede that while Shay Given from the County Donegal is a good goalkeeper, he is not a great goalkeeper. It is a point of view that has earned poor auld Theme Pub the opprobrium and slaps of many compatriots who worship at the altar of St Shay of Given and will not hear a bad word said about the goalkeeper, who hails from the County Donegal.
What Theme Pub has noticed, albeit through half-open bloodshot eyes, is that Shay Given from the County Donegal has played behind some terrible defences in his time; terrible defences starring players who became a laughing stock when they played in front of Given, but strangely went on to resurrect their careers elsewhere, lining up in back fours that played in front of goalkeepers that conspicuously weren't Shay Given from the County Donegal. Yes, Titus Bramble the Fiver is looking at you. And you Fabricio Coloccini and Joleon Lescott ... the rest of you know who you are.
But while Given has been described by Roberto Mancini as "one of the five best goalkeepers in the world", he is not the best goalkeeper at Manchester City and has subsequently been shipped out. As is customary, no club that Jamie Redknapp would describe as "top top top top" has come in for him, so instead he has been sentenced to five years at Aston Villa for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m. It's a good bit of business for Villa, who have got themselves a goalie renowned as "a great shot-stopper", but whose ability to command his six-yard box is a mite questionable.
"Aston Villa is a huge football club and I'm really excited to be joining," said Given upon inking his contract, as you do. "I'm looking forward to training and playing with the players here. They're a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help." Be afraid Richard Dunne and James Collins. Be very, very afraid. For that man in green anchored to his goalline not coming for that cross is Shay Given from the County Donegal."
Barry Glendenning, the writer of this shite article, is a bulshitter and a failed stand up comedian. From this writing you can see why.
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I've heard Glendenning say this about Given months ago,i dont think he has a hidden agenda about him,he's just commenting on a player who plays for his country. Others have had this view about Given,that he's not too commanding off his line.
If this is true,at least the centre backs will know where they stand with him,and will have to deal with crosses themselves. What he lacks in catching crosses,he'll make up for in organisation and shot stopping.
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Mute point init? Some 'keepers come out for everything and cause panic in their defence, others stay doggedly on their line. If you have an understanding with your centre halfs it shouldn't be too much of a problem
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Mute and mebbe: NO!
Moot and maybe: YES!
Tnx.
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Just because the writer managed to completely fail in making the article amusing doesn't make him wrong. I've said the same thing when we were linked as have some other posters.
It's why I struggle to see why some think he is so much better than Brad. All he is five years younger and without Brad's outstanding fitness record. This is by no means a bad thing as I felt Brad was a fine keeper who will do a decent enough job for Spurs. Both are good shot stoppers who aren't so good at commanding their area.
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Comments from The Fiver in Guardian about our new goalkeeper:-
"In his increasingly rare moments of clarity, the Fiver's drink-addled, pig-toting knobbly-stick-waving Irish cousin Theme Pub O'Fiver has a theory about Shay Given from the County Donegal. To borrow a phrase from his opinionated champagne-swilling brother in arms Eamon Dunphy, Theme Pub is prepared to concede that while Shay Given from the County Donegal is a good goalkeeper, he is not a great goalkeeper. It is a point of view that has earned poor auld Theme Pub the opprobrium and slaps of many compatriots who worship at the altar of St Shay of Given and will not hear a bad word said about the goalkeeper, who hails from the County Donegal.
What Theme Pub has noticed, albeit through half-open bloodshot eyes, is that Shay Given from the County Donegal has played behind some terrible defences in his time; terrible defences starring players who became a laughing stock when they played in front of Given, but strangely went on to resurrect their careers elsewhere, lining up in back fours that played in front of goalkeepers that conspicuously weren't Shay Given from the County Donegal. Yes, Titus Bramble the Fiver is looking at you. And you Fabricio Coloccini and Joleon Lescott ... the rest of you know who you are.
But while Given has been described by Roberto Mancini as "one of the five best goalkeepers in the world", he is not the best goalkeeper at Manchester City and has subsequently been shipped out. As is customary, no club that Jamie Redknapp would describe as "top top top top" has come in for him, so instead he has been sentenced to five years at Aston Villa for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m. It's a good bit of business for Villa, who have got themselves a goalie renowned as "a great shot-stopper", but whose ability to command his six-yard box is a mite questionable.
"Aston Villa is a huge football club and I'm really excited to be joining," said Given upon inking his contract, as you do. "I'm looking forward to training and playing with the players here. They're a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help." Be afraid Richard Dunne and James Collins. Be very, very afraid. For that man in green anchored to his goalline not coming for that cross is Shay Given from the County Donegal."
Barry Glendenning, the writer of this shite article, is a bulshitter and a failed stand up comedian. From this writing you can see why.
Oh, well in which case we should just ignore all the true things that he says then.
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Comments from The Fiver in Guardian about our new goalkeeper:-
"In his increasingly rare moments of clarity, the Fiver's drink-addled, pig-toting knobbly-stick-waving Irish cousin Theme Pub O'Fiver has a theory about Shay Given from the County Donegal. To borrow a phrase from his opinionated champagne-swilling brother in arms Eamon Dunphy, Theme Pub is prepared to concede that while Shay Given from the County Donegal is a good goalkeeper, he is not a great goalkeeper. It is a point of view that has earned poor auld Theme Pub the opprobrium and slaps of many compatriots who worship at the altar of St Shay of Given and will not hear a bad word said about the goalkeeper, who hails from the County Donegal.
What Theme Pub has noticed, albeit through half-open bloodshot eyes, is that Shay Given from the County Donegal has played behind some terrible defences in his time; terrible defences starring players who became a laughing stock when they played in front of Given, but strangely went on to resurrect their careers elsewhere, lining up in back fours that played in front of goalkeepers that conspicuously weren't Shay Given from the County Donegal. Yes, Titus Bramble the Fiver is looking at you. And you Fabricio Coloccini and Joleon Lescott ... the rest of you know who you are.
But while Given has been described by Roberto Mancini as "one of the five best goalkeepers in the world", he is not the best goalkeeper at Manchester City and has subsequently been shipped out. As is customary, no club that Jamie Redknapp would describe as "top top top top" has come in for him, so instead he has been sentenced to five years at Aston Villa for a fee believed to be in the region of £4m. It's a good bit of business for Villa, who have got themselves a goalie renowned as "a great shot-stopper", but whose ability to command his six-yard box is a mite questionable.
"Aston Villa is a huge football club and I'm really excited to be joining," said Given upon inking his contract, as you do. "I'm looking forward to training and playing with the players here. They're a good bunch of lads, very talented and I know several of them already which will help." Be afraid Richard Dunne and James Collins. Be very, very afraid. For that man in green anchored to his goalline not coming for that cross is Shay Given from the County Donegal."
Barry Glendenning, the writer of this shite article, is a bulshitter and a failed stand up comedian. From this writing you can see why.
Oh, well in which case we should just ignore all the true things that he says then.
Point taken Dave, and on mature reflection, I went over the top about re. Mr. Glendenning and I take it back, but I still don't agree with his views.
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he's looked very sharp indeed in the 3 games he's played, and as he works more with the coaches and defence he'll prove to be a really good signing. He has brilliant reflexes for a 35 yr old keeper and he'll get us a few points this season that's for sure.
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he looked excellent against chelsea, and made some fantastic saves...
and he needed to...
a cracking signing, and one i am delighted with...
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He was excellent, now if we can prevent him having to make too many saves that'd be good.
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Looks good to me so far.
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Great goalkeeper. Yes he did make some cracking saves but even more impressive was his judgement on a couple of occasions. Twice he had one on one situations, Anelka first half and Torres second half, and he dealt with it superbly with forward running out the ball rather than Goalkeeper plunging in and an inevitable penalty being awarded.
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Had that double save been made by Gordon Banks in a game of importance we would still be talking about it in thirty years.
Well, if they hadn't eventually scored of course. But brillant, strong keeping all the same.
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By the time he came to us, Friedel was still a great shot-stopper at close range but didn't command the area or have the agility to make impossible saves. I think Given can do all of this. A first-class signing.
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How many points did Hart and Foster save Blose over the last 2 seasons? Having a good reliable keeper can make a massive difference come the end of the season and I'm sure Given will prove to be a great signing. As a defensive unit he also breeds confidence into the players in front of him. Dont like how he tends to parry a lot of saves back into the 6yd box so will need our defenders to be reacting quickest to any loose balls.
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Already looks a bargain.
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Top keeper, in the top 3 in the Prem for me.
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performed some heroics in the two games I've seen so far but we still lost comfortably.Compare with Cech who very nearly gave us a goal out of pity, their defence looks almost impregnable whilst our's looked capable of shipping a goal at virtually any attack.
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Shay's looking really good, I just hope that the defence sorts it out. I get that feeling Shay will make a big difference for us this season.
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He will be fine. His reaction will be better. I think Guzan will learn more from him than Friedel as he is probably in similar mould.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10298767/Aston-Villa-goalkeeper-Shay-Given-losing-patience.html
"He said: "Of course it's frustrating not playing, it's hard to keep training and know there's no game at the end of the week"
Poor lamb. I'd either take a pay cut to get a move or shut the up.
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It makes me laugh both Given and Hutton are so desperate to play, BUT they wont take a pay cut for this to happen!
I feel so sorry for both of them! For me I would not have had Given in the 25 man squad.
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Very interesting at the end of that article stating that we had agree deals with two potential Spanish clubs for Hutton, but HE couldn't agree personal terms. Id actually be inclined to believe that version of events more than Huttons.
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It makes me laugh both Given and Hutton are so desperate to play, BUT they wont take a pay cut for this to happen!
I feel so sorry for both of them! For me I would not have had Given in the 25 man squad.
Should Guzan get a bad injury then given would be an option - a squad of 25 needs 3 keepers just to cover the position .
If given is here then why not name him in the 25 , it just gives us more cover , I'm pretty sure Marshall was named last year as 3rd option.
Regarding Liverpool, they wanted to pay a pittance of his wages and us pay the rest - that is a joke - they can afford the wage or get lost.
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It amazed me footballers still want to sit on the bench or stand in the stand rather earn 40 thousands a week than play every week earning 25 thousand a week. both pay is still plenty.
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I was also under the impression that Given didn't really want to go to Liverpool just to sit on the bench. Granted it's closer to the pitch than here, but that seemed to be the suggestion as to why the move didn't quite materialize. Its hard to know what really is the case. Both players seem to put the blame on us for not agreeing terms.
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I was also under the impression that Given didn't really want to go to Liverpool just to sit on the bench. Granted it's closer to the pitch than here, but that seemed to be the suggestion as to why the move didn't quite materialize. Its hard to know what really is the case. Both players seem to put the blame on us for not agreeing terms.
Which I take to mean that we refused to pay up the difference if they lowered their wages at another club.
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I suppose Given and Hutton don't discourage other clubs coming in for them if they blame Villa for being awkward, rather than being quoted saying, 'The tight so-and-so's (Lpool etc) wouldn't pay me my £50,000 a week'. They are officially moving on as soon as they can, and there could still be some club out there willing to meet their requirements, after all. In their dreams.
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Neither player is going to get contracts which better or indeed match what they are on now. In their defence neither player has caused the club any hassle. Lambert simply doesn't rate Hutton (who does?) and prefers Guzan over Given. I don't blame them for sitting on their contracts
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And the fact is we are still paying all their salary while they do nothing for it. We are honouring our side of the deal. They either want to play football for their current salary value ( less than when we signed them)or don't.
It's the correct message to send out to our players and other clubs. AVFC believe a contract is a contract. If you want to buy one of our players agree the fee with us first then we will let you speak to our player , if they don't agree a salary with you then they stay with us.
Works at both ends if your Hutton or Benteke. If you don't like it then don't sign your contracts in the first place!
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Just because a player wants to play doesn't mean he should lower his contracted salary just to do it.
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Just because a player wants to play doesn't mean he should lower his contracted salary just to do it.
Players always say they do this more for the love of the game, and that its not about the money. It'd be nice if they put their money where their mouth is a bit more often.
Fair enough if they don't want to, but if that's the case, there's no need to have a moan in the press about it.
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I defend their choice not to take a wage cut, but if that is the sticking point stopping them moving on and playing football then it questions how desperate they are to go to another club to get games.
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If they chose to stay for, arguments sake, £40k a week rather than move for £35k then yes, they are just greedy bastards. But what if it's 10K a week on offer? No matter how much I loved playing football i'd stay put and make sure I raked in as much as possible from what is a short career.
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It amazed me footballers still want to sit on the bench or stand in the stand rather earn 40 thousands a week than play every week earning 25 thousand a week. both pay is still plenty.
How did you gain such precise knowledge of what players are earning and what offers they have received from other clubs?
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If they chose to stay for, arguments sake, £40k a week rather than move for £35k then yes, they are just greedy bastards. But what if it's 10K a week on offer? No matter how much I loved playing football i'd stay put and make sure I raked in as much as possible from what is a short career.
For me it's not about greed, the wages are what they are, there's a famous quote that money is only important if you haven't got any (I have no idea who it's from but I've read it a few times) and for these 2 I think that's a very important point.
As things stand they've both earned enough money (a rough estimate based on the figures we regularly see for them suggests £10m+ for Hutton in his career and quite a bit more than double that for Shay) to live a comfortable life and never have any need to worry about money (unless they get heavily into gambling or drugs, etc). So the decision they're faced with is, when they retire do they want to look back on a couple of years of training with the kids and raking in the money or a couple of years of playing the sport they loved enough to want to do it for a living. If they've rejected contracts from clubs who pretty much guaranteed them games then they've made their decision, and it's their right to do so.
What I dislike is to then blame the club for not making the decision easy by giving them the money and letting them leave to get games.
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If they chose to stay for, arguments sake, £40k a week rather than move for £35k then yes, they are just greedy bastards. But what if it's 10K a week on offer? No matter how much I loved playing football i'd stay put and make sure I raked in as much as possible from what is a short career.
For me it's not about greed, the wages are what they are, there's a famous quote that money is only important if you haven't got any (I have no idea who it's from but I've read it a few times) and for these 2 I think that's a very important point.
As things stand they've both earned enough money (a rough estimate based on the figures we regularly see for them suggests £10m+ for Hutton in his career and quite a bit more than double that for Shay) to live a comfortable life and never have any need to worry about money (unless they get heavily into gambling or drugs, etc). So the decision they're faced with is, when they retire do they want to look back on a couple of years of training with the kids and raking in the money or a couple of years of playing the sport they loved enough to want to do it for a living. If they've rejected contracts from clubs who pretty much guaranteed them games then they've made their decision, and it's their right to do so.
What I dislike is to then blame the club for not making the decision easy by giving them the money and letting them leave to get games.
They don't pay football for a living because they love it. They play football for a living because it pays more than anything else would.
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Just because a player wants to play doesn't mean he should lower his contracted salary just to do it.
If a company I worked for employed someone who was better at the job than I was, then I may have to start looking for another job at whatever rate they thought I was worth. I do not see footballers as any different. If you want to play, prove it and accept the lower salary.
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If they chose to stay for, arguments sake, £40k a week rather than move for £35k then yes, they are just greedy bastards. But what if it's 10K a week on offer? No matter how much I loved playing football i'd stay put and make sure I raked in as much as possible from what is a short career.
For me it's not about greed, the wages are what they are, there's a famous quote that money is only important if you haven't got any (I have no idea who it's from but I've read it a few times) and for these 2 I think that's a very important point.
As things stand they've both earned enough money (a rough estimate based on the figures we regularly see for them suggests £10m+ for Hutton in his career and quite a bit more than double that for Shay) to live a comfortable life and never have any need to worry about money (unless they get heavily into gambling or drugs, etc). So the decision they're faced with is, when they retire do they want to look back on a couple of years of training with the kids and raking in the money or a couple of years of playing the sport they loved enough to want to do it for a living. If they've rejected contracts from clubs who pretty much guaranteed them games then they've made their decision, and it's their right to do so.
What I dislike is to then blame the club for not making the decision easy by giving them the money and letting them leave to get games.
They don't pay football for a living because they love it. They play football for a living because it pays more than anything else would.
I don't disagree, but when they started playing football they enjoyed it enough to play lots and worked hard enough to be in that position, I doubt there are many 9-10 year olds who get into playing in the hope of making a career out of it. That's really the point. Don't complain that the club is stopping you from moving so you can play when what is actually stopping you is your own choice to earn more money staying where you are and training with the kids. I respect their right to make the choice, I don't respect them bleating about it in the press afterwards.
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Just because a player wants to play doesn't mean he should lower his contracted salary just to do it.
If a company I worked for employed someone who was better at the job than I was, then I may have to start looking for another job at whatever rate they thought I was worth. I do not see footballers as any different. If you want to play, prove it and accept the lower salary.
So you'd leave for a lower-paid job if you had the option of staying put and sitting in the canteen all day doing next to fuck all for the same money as before?
Fair play, you must love work.
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Given has an expensive divorce looming and based on the ray parlour precedent his ex will be getting a good chunk of his future earnings so he won't be leaving us for less dough.
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but outside football we will be happy to sit in canteen and earn much money as possible to pay mortgages off and get early retirement. Football is different world due to them earning a year salary in one week for most people.
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but outside football we will be happy to sit in canteen and earn much money as possible to pay mortgages off and get early retirement. Football is different world due to them earning a year salary in one week for most people.
And also spending a lot more. Most of the world would be equally happy to earn what we do.
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Let's say Hutton has earned £10m so far. It's not like he has it all in the bank. I would guess that about half has gone straight away in taxes and NI. Another 10% in agent fees (these are just guesstimates) £4m is still a nice chunk. But he has bought a house, car(s) for him and his wife (I assume he has one), like most normal people who have a lot of money he's probably done the same for his family. It soon becomes a lot lower figure and it has to last him and his family for the next maybe 40 years, and then there is his kids and grandkids future.
As I said, if what they have been offered is a lot less than what we are paying them then I don't blame them for staying. I would. If it was £40K to stay or £35k to move and play then i'd move.
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Let's say Hutton has earned £10m so far. It's not like he has it all in the bank. I would guess that about half has gone straight away in taxes and NI. Another 10% in agent fees (these are just guesstimates) £4m is still a nice chunk. But he has bought a house, car(s) for him and his wife (I assume he has one), like most normal people who have a lot of money he's probably done the same for his family. It soon becomes a lot lower figure and it has to last him and his family for the next maybe 40 years, and then there is his kids and grandkids future.
As I said, if what they have been offered is a lot less than what we are paying them then I don't blame them for staying. I would. If it was £40K to stay or £35k to move and play then i'd move.
I doubt he's paid that much tax, but there's a good point in there. Once you've got used to earning over a million quid a year you don't want to go back to normal wages once you give up football. You want to make sure you can get every penny you can to last the rest of your life.
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don't forget you probably get 5 grand a week if you put 2 millions pounds in a bank account untouched. So you can retire comfortable.
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don't forget you probably get 5 grand a week if you put 2 millions pounds in a bank account untouched. So you can retire comfortable.
You wouldn't get anywhere near that, inflation would reduce its value and £5k a week might sound fine to you and I, but to someone who is used to earning ten times that much it's a pittance.
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According to Ask:
Your million pounds will earn you: 1 day: £110, 1 month: £3,333, 1 year: £40,742, 5 years: £220,997, 10 years: £490,833, 20 years: £1,222,582, 30 years: £2,313,498. A small difference in the interest rate makes a big difference and Compound interest can grow your money by a huge amount over time.
Massive sums to most of us, but as Dave says, not so much if your lifestyle is based on earning sheds loads more than that.
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A few years back I spoke with an accountant who did the books of a fair few PL players. He said it was amazing how many had real money issues. Largely because they lose all commercial nous and get fleeced by hangers on, bad investments, WAG's with plastic who have no problems shopping , also footballers only get very short term mortgages so it all adds up. Then the inevitable divorce for many breaks them.
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Why can't these fuckers re-train after retiring and become something useful like architects and accountants?
30 odd years off pensionable age, do any of them avoid the pundit/coach/property cliché?
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If I was Given, and at 37 offered a loan deal to go and sit on another bench at half the wages I would not go. If I was offered it to play though, knowing I still had 2 years beyond that still on 60k at Villa I would go as it would be better to play than not. If I were Hutton, I would cling to the 40k as long as possible, in full knowledge that no other mug will ever pay that again so I need to trouser it for as long as I can.
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If I was Given, and at 37 offered a loan deal to go and sit on another bench at half the wages I would not go. If I was offered it to play though, knowing I still had 2 years beyond that still on 60k at Villa I would go as it would be better to play than not. If I were Hutton, I would cling to the 40k as long as possible, in full knowledge that no other mug will ever pay that again so I need to trouser it for as long as I can.
Nail on head!
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If I was Given, and at 37 offered a loan deal to go and sit on another bench at half the wages I would not go. If I was offered it to play though, knowing I still had 2 years beyond that still on 60k at Villa I would go as it would be better to play than not. If I were Hutton, I would cling to the 40k as long as possible, in full knowledge that no other mug will ever pay that again so I need to trouser it for as long as I can.
Even if Guven were to go on loan to Chelmsley Town he'd be paid his full whack. The only question would be who would pay it, and what proportion etc. Agree with the rest of your post Ozz.
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I can't believe anyone at Villa would seriously want Steer to replace Guzan in the first team if something happened to him. The lads not even played a handful of top flight games in his career and to throw him in as #1 could be a potential disaster for us and him
I'd much rather Shay was given (no pun intended) the back up jersey and Steer got some experience on loan or something
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I can't believe anyone at Villa would seriously want Steer to replace Guzan in the first team if something happened to him. The lads not even played a handful of top flight games in his career and to throw him in as #1 could be a potential disaster for us and him
I'd much rather Shay was given (no pun intended) the back up jersey and Steer got some experience on loan or something
I don't know if Steer's good enough, but I know Shay isn't.
So how will we ever know if he's good enough if he never gets to play? Anyway, thankfully the over-cautious approach to giving youngsters a chance fucked off out the door with McLeish, so we don't have to worry about that kind of backwards thinking anymore.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
I'd rather see this highly rated youngster given a chance.
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He was pretty poor at Millwall too. Copped a fair bit of stick from the Villa fans. Mind you, you couldn't blame us for being pissed off and angry that night.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
Plus spending 180 minutes against Bradford rooted to his line so that all they had to do was launch cross after cross into the box, knowing that there was no chance of him catching any of them.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
I'd rather see this highly rated youngster given a chance.
I still think Guzan starts the Bradford games we are in the final.
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... So how will we ever know if he's good enough if he never gets to play? Anyway, thankfully the over-cautious approach to giving youngsters a chance fucked off out the door with McLeish, so we don't have to worry about that kind of backwards thinking anymore.
Yep, look to the future.
I'm amazed that we have not been able to find a loan for him somewhere; and Hutton.
They would both be valuable in the C'ship and it would be better for all parties if they were elsewhere; even if we were still paying 90% of the wages.
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This idea that footballers should expect to be paid massive wages once they retire is nonsense. Premier league players will earn plenty in 10 years to keep them and their families comfortable for life. if they are too stupid to properly plan for life after football by wasting the money on garage full of fast cars, and expensive divorce settlements because they are shagging around, then tough shit.
The sense of entitlement is astounding.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
I'd rather see this highly rated youngster given a chance.
I still think Guzan starts the Bradford games we are in the final.
It isn't something I like to dwell on but I think you are probably right.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
I'd rather see this highly rated youngster given a chance.
I still think Guzan starts the Bradford games we are in the final.
It isn't something I like to dwell on but I think you are probably right.
Losing that semi was down to Lambert fucking up in the second half, nothing else.
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This idea that footballers should expect to be paid massive wages once they retire is nonsense. Premier league players will earn plenty in 10 years to keep them and their families comfortable for life.
Is that not the whole point?
The likes of Hutton and Given are doing exactly what you say they should be doing. Making the most of what will be the biggest contract they have for the rest of their lives and using it to plan for their future.
Which is exactly why they would be daft to just accept a million pounds less per year, just because people think they should love playing football and go and do it in the Championship or the Spanish second division.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
I'd rather see this highly rated youngster given a chance.
I still think Guzan starts the Bradford games we are in the final.
It isn't something I like to dwell on but I think you are probably right.
Losing that semi was down to Lambert fucking up in the second half, nothing else.
I made a rare (for me) away trip for the 1st leg and said at the time we were in trouble after the third went in, again from a set piece. Yes, he had a bit of a meltdown in the home leg, but that was because we were chasing the game due to defensive errors.
Had we defended anything like a PL side should we'd have got through.
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Losing that semi was down to Lambert fucking up in the second half, nothing else.
His tactics were embarrassing in that second half, but had we not missed enough chances to win the tie twice over in the first leg and had we not had a goalkeeper who refused to leave his line and catch a couple of the crosses that they threw in then Lambert could have done what liked in that last thirty minutes and it wouldn't have made a difference.
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Losing that semi was down to Lambert fucking up in the second half, nothing else.
His tactics were embarrassing in that second half, but had we not missed enough chances to win the tie twice over in the first leg and had we not had a goalkeeper who refused to leave his line and catch a couple of the crosses that they threw in then Lambert could have done what liked in that last thirty minutes and it wouldn't have made a difference.
We made enough similar mistakes throughout the season to suggest that it wasn't Given who was at fault.
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I wouldn't attach a lot of blame at given for the bradford defeat , we were poor and missed a host of chances - we conceded a load of goals from corners with Guzan too last season , i think the defending and marking of players was more to blame than either keeper .
Granted, Guzan does come off his line more and does take a lot of crosses but we still concede a lot of goals from corners , I'm hoping okore will help to eradicate this.
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My guess is whatever the reasons for our demise against Bradford that above all other things this keeps Lambert up at night. 8 goals at Chelsea was bad but it's Chelsea and were completely overwhelmed that day. Bradford was poor from every standpoint, missing chances, goalkeeping, player selection, tactics. The list is endless. I wouldn't mark it down as one thing over another. It was just the perfect storm of shitness for the world to see over two legs.
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I'd like rid but I'd trust Given as back up. Although I'd also expect a fair few blunders.
I saw him twice last season.
Against Everton at home, when he chucked one in, and against Norwich away in the cup, where I spent the whole game bar the last couple of minutes convinced he was going to cost us the tie.
I'd rather see this highly rated youngster given a chance.
I still think Guzan starts the Bradford games we are in the final.
It isn't something I like to dwell on but I think you are probably right.
Losing that semi was down to Lambert fucking up in the second half, nothing else.
PL has himself admitted this to be the case, in so many words.
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No doubt the bradford fiasco was very bad but the players should learn a hell of a lot from that experience and i daresay lambert will have learnt a lot as well.
It's something that will live long in the memory but we have showed positive signs in recent months and those dark days are behind us - lets hope we can atone for that with a trip to Wembley this season.
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It was also two legs that were timed right in the middle of our horrendous run. If we had played them around FA Cup semi-final time we'd have won easily, IMO.
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I still think the biggest mistake he made was only playing two midfielders in the first leg, it was idiotic. He didn't even rectify it when it was obvious we were being over run.
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I still think the biggest mistake he made was only playing two midfielders in the first leg, it was idiotic. He didn't even rectify it when it was obvious we were being over run.
I think we maybe expected to go there and stroll through the game against a team 3 divisions below - well we won't make that mistake again !
Underestimate teams at your peril- even after the first leg when interviewed lambert seemed very confident we would go through - a lesson learnt by all !
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I think we maybe expected to go there and stroll through the game against a team 3 divisions below - well we won't make that mistake again !
Quite - the team selection for the Rotherham game proved that.
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Well, it also showed that you may as well put a strong side out when you aren't playing again for another two and a half weeks because of the 'Chelsea First' policy at the Preeeeemier League.
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Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has been told he will be allowed to leave if a suitable bid comes in.
Given has not played a Premier League since August last year and doesn’t even get on the Villans' bench this season, with young Jed Steer acting as back-up to first-choice Brad Guzan.
Villa boss Paul Lambert can sympathise with the 37-year-old former Newcastle, Manchester City and Republic of Ireland keeper.
He said: “One thing with Shay is that he has been excellent. He is a great pro. He does everything right and a great goalkeeper.
“I’ve spoken to Shay and if something happens, we will look at it. He wants to play. There is no two ways about it. He wants to play.
“Shay is still a positive influence about the place and he trains really hard. I know he is disappointed with the situation but when you get a good pro, you know you can work with him.
“He is testament to himself with the way he keeps training the way he does and behaves the way he does.”
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All clubs are cutting back on finance. Shay as we know (like Jamie O'Hara at Wolves) is on very good terms indeed. Sure he wants to play but doesnt want to take a huge pay cut.
At 37 he would be wise to stick it out until his contract expires. Goalkeepers get injured its the nature of the position. Lambert is saying nice things but he wants him away from the club a soon as possible.
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All clubs are cutting back on finance. Shay as we know (like Jamie O'Hara at Wolves) is on very good terms indeed. Sure he wants to play but doesnt want to take a huge pay cut.
At 37 he would be wise to stick it out until his contract expires. Goalkeepers get injured its the nature of the position. Lambert is saying nice things but he wants him away from the club a soon as possible.
I think at his age he would rather play to be honest and expect he would be prepared to take a big wage cut to get a move.
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Wouldn't be surprised to see Shay Given go out on loan with Villa paying a portion of his wages. Think the same thing will happen with Hutton.