Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: The Laughing Policeman on June 15, 2012, 12:38:19 PM

Title: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on June 15, 2012, 12:38:19 PM
Heard Shay on the radio this morning saying that he will make a decision on his future with the Republic in the next few weeks.
I watched both the Republic's games and he didn't seem to be quite right, a bit lacking in confidence. Yes he made a few good saves but but he just seemed to be a bit shaky at times how much of it was down to the dodgy defence in front of him or he's beginning to lose his powers we'll have to wait and see.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Brend'Watkins on June 15, 2012, 12:40:13 PM
How old is he?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on June 15, 2012, 12:41:41 PM
36.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Irish villain on June 15, 2012, 12:42:52 PM
I don't think he was match-fit. In all my years watching him, those are the two worst performances I've seen him give.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: N'ZMAV on June 15, 2012, 12:43:13 PM
Was terrible last night. Needs to sort his act out fast.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Lambert and Payne on June 15, 2012, 12:45:01 PM
I'm with IV, it was a panic to get him ready in time and I think it was too rushed. He's not a young man anymore injuries take longer to heal. His past injury record isn't the best of recent years. Hope he gets a good rest between now and pre seaon
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Brend'Watkins on June 15, 2012, 12:46:52 PM
36.

A bit early for an international keeper to hang up the gloves these days.  Maybe he's looking at his defense and thinking this could result in severe back pain if he hangs around for the world cup qualifiers.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: olaftab on June 15, 2012, 12:50:30 PM
I think he should consider retiring from  Club football where the demand is greater to preserve serving his Country for a few more years.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on June 15, 2012, 12:51:28 PM
36.

A bit early for an international keeper to hang up the gloves these days.  Maybe he's looking at his defense and thinking this could result in severe back pain if he hangs around for the world cup qualifiers.
He could be thinking the same about our defence. ;)
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: VillaAlways on June 15, 2012, 01:01:43 PM
Lambert must have been watching through his fingers last night
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: PaulWinch again on June 15, 2012, 01:23:22 PM
I think Lambert's being quoted in the past saying he likes 'big' goalkeepers, which may not bode well for Shay.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: itbrvilla on June 15, 2012, 01:40:32 PM
He waas far from great last season also.  Unfortunately he is past his sell by date and is likely to get worse.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: not3bad on June 15, 2012, 01:52:22 PM
He waas far from great last season also. 

One of the most bizarre statements I've read on this forum I must say.  He was player of the season by some distance and we would be in the championship now if not for him.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: OCD on June 15, 2012, 02:04:50 PM
It's a generalisation but I tend to think new managers like to bring in their own goalkeepers. I suspect it might be the same with Given.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Dave Clark Five on June 15, 2012, 02:12:02 PM
He waas far from great last season also. 

One of the most bizarre statements I've read on this forum I must say.  He was player of the season by some distance and we would be in the championship now if not for him.
But someone has to be nominated for 2012-13 Scapegoat of the Season.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on June 15, 2012, 02:14:59 PM
He waas far from great last season also. 

One of the most bizarre statements I've read on this forum I must say.  He was player of the season by some distance and we would be in the championship now if not for him.
But someone has to be nominated for 2012-13 Scapegoat of the Season.
I nominate Legion, because he's dangerous to be around. ;)
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Lambert and Payne on June 15, 2012, 02:18:43 PM
He waas far from great last season also.  Unfortunately he is past his sell by date and is likely to get worse.

Surely a wind up?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: itbrvilla on June 15, 2012, 02:29:13 PM
He waas far from great last season also.  Unfortunately he is past his sell by date and is likely to get worse.

Surely a wind up?
Why? He makes some great saves granted but has been prone to a number of errors.  A step backwards on Brad IMO.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: maigrait on June 15, 2012, 02:35:27 PM
He's injured without a doubt... thats why his performances weren't great for the republic. Plus he has a worse defence than the villa infront of him so I'd be nervous too.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: not3bad on June 15, 2012, 02:53:01 PM
I believe they've made it pretty clear at Villa that Shay is going nowhere, and I'm happy with that. 
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: TheSandman on June 15, 2012, 03:45:00 PM
His problem at the Euros has definitely been injury. If he is to stay next season we are definitely in need of a good second choice.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: not3bad on June 15, 2012, 03:54:33 PM
Benjamin Seigriest not ready to step up?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Damo70 on June 15, 2012, 03:58:15 PM
The Irish team were very poor for a start and without a doubt he was less than 100% fit. He was actually carrying two or three different injuries.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Risso on June 15, 2012, 04:24:21 PM
Can't say that I think buying Given was the best bit of business.  He's a decent keeper, but for every world class save that makes him look good, there's often a piece of keeping that is equally bad.  He's a good shot-stopper, but not as good at other areas.  At his age and with his injury problems I think his contract was very generous.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: itbrvilla on June 15, 2012, 04:29:43 PM
Can't say that I think buying Given was the best bit of business.  He's a decent keeper, but for every world class save that makes him look good, there's often a piece of keeping that is equally bad.  He's a good shot-stopper, but not as good at other areas.  At his age and with his injury problems I think his contract was very generous.
Spot on.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Matt C on June 15, 2012, 04:35:03 PM
He didn't look right at all for Ireland and looks like he was rushed back from injury.

For us, I think he can still do a job but we need a strong younger keeper as his deputy who can step in and play 10-15 games a season.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: danlanza on June 15, 2012, 04:38:47 PM
He didn't look right at all for Ireland and looks like he was rushed back from injury.

For us, I think he can still do a job but we need a strong younger keeper as his deputy who can step in and play 10-15 games a season.
Errrrrrr.... Guzan ?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on June 15, 2012, 04:41:24 PM
Dan - are you saying we should re-sign Guzan, or do you not know he's left?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: itbrvilla on June 15, 2012, 04:42:30 PM
Why not give the swiss kid some game time in the friendlies?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: danlanza on June 15, 2012, 04:46:25 PM
Dan - are you saying we should re-sign Guzan, or do you not know he's left?
Saying that we should never have let him go mate.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: OCD on June 15, 2012, 04:58:50 PM
Can't say that I think buying Given was the best bit of business.  He's a decent keeper, but for every world class save that makes him look good, there's often a piece of keeping that is equally bad.  He's a good shot-stopper, but not as good at other areas.  At his age and with his injury problems I think his contract was very generous.

A 5-year contract for a 35-year old was insane.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: danlanza on June 15, 2012, 05:08:09 PM
It was but i still say that some of his saves last season were world class and i think that he is one of the best keepers in the Premier League.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: glasses on June 15, 2012, 05:12:19 PM
The facts are that he isn't going to get any better, and will only decline. At the moment, he isn't totally shit. I think we could sell him and replace him with someone approaching their best years (Foster, Ruddy. I quite like Bogdan at Bolton tbh), for not much more of an outlay.

He makes some unbeleivable saves at times, but doesn't command his area well enough at set plays. We conceded a shed load from corners last year

To say he was player of the season last year is fair enough, he probably was, but it was slim pickings. Steven Davis was our Player of the season one year if we recall in a similarly bad season.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: PeterWithesShin on June 15, 2012, 05:32:31 PM
Dan - are you saying we should re-sign Guzan, or do you not know he's left?
Saying that we should never have let him go mate.

We may have had no choice in it if he wanted to leave.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: London Villan on June 15, 2012, 05:51:09 PM
I'd snap QPRs hands off. I think Given is one of the issues with our poor performance at corners as much as anything else.

Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: olaftab on June 15, 2012, 06:49:52 PM
He waas far from great last season also. 

One of the most bizarre statements I've read on this forum I must say.  He was player of the season by some distance and we would be in the championship now if not for him.
Not bizarre at all. He was the best of a very bad bunchlast season. He was not great at all. Sitting on his line not dominating the box etc etc. most  in fact all keepers in the PL are capable of pulling off the sort of saves he made.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Percy McCarthy on June 15, 2012, 06:59:17 PM
Not impressed to be honest. The odd miracle save followed by long periods of looking fairly dodgy, interspersed by injury.

Thought the contract was a bit mad at the time.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: PeterWithesShin on June 15, 2012, 07:02:05 PM
The 5 year contract was a bit OTT to say the least but he did only miss 6 league games last season. It's not like he missed half the season.

Personally I wouldn't be devastated if we moved him on this summer, although it would depend who his replacement was.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on June 15, 2012, 07:24:24 PM
I think Given would benefit from retiring from international football as his body can't cope with both demand for club and country. If I got a good offer from QPR, I would take it and promote Ben to no 1 and hope he will be our Iker Casillas or Victor Valdes.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: brian green on June 15, 2012, 10:21:31 PM
I am firmly in the itbrv and Riss faction.   Given is yesterday's man and apart from his shot stopping ability (not readily spotted in the Euros) his abilities are in decline.   A five year contract was excessively generous and may well contribute to him playing like a player who likes the comfort zone.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: john2710 on June 15, 2012, 10:40:03 PM
If those in front of him defended better, we wouldn't have conceded half the goals we did. Can't think of many goals that were conceded because of Given but I can remember plenty because of Collins (in particular), Warnock, Hutton & Dunne.

Five year contract was extreme, injury record won't improve nor will his agility or command of the box. Would sell if a decent offer came in, but the priority is replacing those in front of him.   

Given & Dunne should now drop out at international level.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Brend'Watkins on June 15, 2012, 11:24:24 PM
I'd snap QPRs hands off. I think Given is one of the issues with our poor performance at corners as much as anything else.

Not sure about snap QPR's hands off as I think he's still very good in 75% of his game.  Do agree with the last bit though as he has no presence from corners.  It's almost like the goal is empty some times.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt on June 15, 2012, 11:39:17 PM
Shay is a superb keeper. His weakness is probably from dead ball delivery when played into the 6 yard box. - Crowd him, and he struggles to be dominant enough. I think he is partly responsible for us conceding so many goals from corners last season.. albeit unintentionally. I think unless we got a big 6'4" bastard who would clatter the fuck out of everyone who got in the way we should stick with what we have
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Dave on June 16, 2012, 12:37:04 AM
It was but i still say that some of his saves last season were world class and i think that he is one of the best keepers in the Premier League.
"One of the best" - if you mean there are more keepers in the league that are worse than him than are better than him then I'd agree.

If you mean "in the best three or four" then you must be insane or suffering from sunstroke.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Vegas on June 16, 2012, 10:02:37 AM
I'm not even sure he's in the top half anymore - everyone agrees he makes some great saves, but has other weaknesses particularly commanding the area / corners; that's not enough to be considered a great keeper. 

He's not a massive weak link but I agree with the earlier poster who said he wasn't great last year.  And a 5 year contract was daft.



Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Lambert and Payne on June 16, 2012, 10:07:26 AM
I'm not even sure he's in the top half anymore - everyone agrees he makes some great saves, but has other weaknesses particularly commanding the area / corners; that's not enough to be considered a great keeper. 

He's not a massive weak link but I agree with the earlier poster who said he wasn't great last year.  And a 5 year contract was daft.





He's never been good at that. I think the majority of us expected him to be on his line for most of the match. IMO shot stopping he's the best in the division. If he did command his area more and improved his kicking he would be world class, and wouldn't have been at the Villa last season
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: junxs on June 17, 2012, 06:51:36 AM
He's one of the better players in the squad, I'd sooner improve the outfield than worry about blowing some of our budget on a replacement keeper. It would cost more to get someone of better ability than Given, probably cost more to just get rid of Given and get a steady eddie replacement who'll not as good.

Sometimes you don't realise what you've got until its gone. Remember Scott Carson, didnt make a wow save all season and a few mistakes along the way too.

So let's not worry about the goalkeeping department for a few years hey.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: philthebar on June 19, 2012, 12:25:18 PM
Unless he acts quickly, he won't need to consider his international future. 

I think it will be decided for him.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: N'ZMAV on June 19, 2012, 01:49:49 PM
Friedel > Given
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Irish villain on June 19, 2012, 02:57:14 PM
I cannot believe how quickly Shay is deteriorating. He was appalling in the European Championships. I'm still clinging to the hope that he was rushed back from injury and just wasn't comfortable. If that's the case, he should be good for us for another year or two if he can get some rest this summer.

Otherwise, we'll need to replace him. If that's now his level, he has dropped in standard and isn't really good enough anymore.

Sad for me to say that, I've been a big fan of his.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: PaulWinch again on June 19, 2012, 03:00:05 PM
I'm going with the theory that he wasn't fit, he barely trained before the tournament. I think he'll be alright, but I'd be looking at a younger replacement soonish.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: silhillvilla on June 19, 2012, 03:32:30 PM
If we can find a buyer I'd get shot of him tomorrow, it would be madness to let him stay and collect another £10m in wages over 4 years
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Pete3206 on June 19, 2012, 03:34:03 PM
I'm not suprised Given has had a poor tournament. He had a rotten team in front of him for 9 months, then another similarly shambolic rabble in the Euros.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: N'ZMAV on June 19, 2012, 03:36:07 PM
Richard Dunne isn't helping Given....again...
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: MoetVillan on June 19, 2012, 03:48:25 PM
I pity the team that has Dunne AND Given in their defence going on their international displays.

Oh wait.... Doh!
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Concrete John on June 19, 2012, 03:57:51 PM
If you base your opinion on Given from what we've seen in the Euros, then we need another keeper.  But if you base it on what we saw last season in a Villa shirt, then we don't!
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: not3bad on June 19, 2012, 04:03:10 PM
I'm not suprised Given has had a poor tournament. He had a rotten team in front of him for 9 months, then another similarly shambolic rabble in the Euros.

This.  The defense needs to be sorted, but Given is not the problem.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Risso on June 19, 2012, 04:04:24 PM
If you base your opinion on Given from what we've seen in the Euros, then we need another keeper.  But if you base it on what we saw last season in a Villa shirt, then we don't!

I disagree really.  We also have no back up since Guzan left, so may as well get a decent, young keeper in.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Concrete John on June 19, 2012, 04:06:09 PM
No objection to that, Rissbert!
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: The Laughing Policeman on June 19, 2012, 04:16:34 PM
Richard Dunne isn't helping Given....again...
I think we can all take that as given. ::)
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: villa `cross the mersey on June 19, 2012, 05:27:57 PM
I'm not suprised Given has had a poor tournament. He had a rotten team in front of him for 9 months, then another similarly shambolic rabble in the Euros.

This.  The defense needs to be sorted, but Given is not the problem.

I tend to think he is part of the problem though - he does not command his box and fails to collect crosses.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: villadelph on June 19, 2012, 06:00:29 PM
I'm not suprised Given has had a poor tournament. He had a rotten team in front of him for 9 months, then another similarly shambolic rabble in the Euros.

This.  The defense needs to be sorted, but Given is not the problem.

I tend to think he is part of the problem though - he does not command his box and fails to collect crosses.

I agree, he's go to me assertive. He seems a bit too easy going on the pitch, especially in pressure situations. What makes me even more nervous is our defense isn't much better than Ireland's on a good day. Hopefully its sorted next season. Or maybe we can just score 6 goals a game and not have to worry.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: eastie on June 19, 2012, 06:11:03 PM
I have no worries about shay being our keeper next season, still a top keeper and i hope the defence in front of him sees a few new faces as the back 4 are not good enough.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Salsa Party Animal on June 19, 2012, 09:27:33 PM
we should sort out back 4 then give given one more season then decide if we should buy new goalkeeper or not
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: JJ-AV on June 20, 2012, 12:03:49 AM
He's a good 'keeper, but we really do need a decent number 2. Given's injury record suggests he's probably going miss games at some point.

Fraiser Forster maybe?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: ozzjim on June 20, 2012, 12:32:01 AM
What about Allan McGregor - surely Rangers moving to a new co essentially means players are not actually employed by them any more?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Matt C on June 20, 2012, 02:22:11 AM
Think he was injured playing for Ireland, needs a break. We still need a pretty decent number two though.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: cheltenhamlion on June 20, 2012, 08:38:08 AM
I am also considering my international future. I think a week abroad September/October time is in order.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Risso on June 20, 2012, 09:29:26 AM
What about Allan McGregor - surely Rangers moving to a new co essentially means players are not actually employed by them any more?

Probably covered by the TUPE regulations which means their employment is carried over, but Lizz could probably confirm if that's true or not.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Concrete John on June 20, 2012, 09:31:40 AM
The employment is one thing, but does TUPE also cover the registration of a player with SFA/UEFA?
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: N'ZMAV on June 20, 2012, 09:32:44 AM
He's a good 'keeper, but we really do need a decent number 2. Given's injury record suggests he's probably going miss games at some point.

Fraiser Forster maybe?
Craig Gordon? he's a crock though too.....
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: teamvillage on June 20, 2012, 09:50:49 AM
What about Allan McGregor - surely Rangers moving to a new co essentially means players are not actually employed by them any more?

Probably covered by the TUPE regulations which means their employment is carried over, but Lizz could probably confirm if that's true or not.

My understanding is that TUPE will give them the *right* for the contracts to be transferred over, but they also have the right to break the contract and walk away on a free.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: itbrvilla on June 20, 2012, 12:16:11 PM
What about Allan McGregor - surely Rangers moving to a new co essentially means players are not actually employed by them any more?
Think he'd be very good on a free.  Like what little I have seen of him so far.  Still thinking that Seigreist ?sp? will need some game time to really start to develope.

Probably covered by the TUPE regulations which means their employment is carried over, but Lizz could probably confirm if that's true or not.

My understanding is that TUPE will give them the *right* for the contracts to be transferred over, but they also have the right to break the contract and walk away on a free.
Title: Re: Shay Given To Consider His International Future.
Post by: Californian Villain on June 25, 2012, 07:00:50 AM
I am also considering my international future. I think a week abroad September/October time is in order.

Same here. I officially retired a year or two back, but I've always said I'd make the effort if England really needed me.
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