Our new G-K...

[D.boy]

I would rather go for Robinson instead of Given. Given on anything over £40,000/week is just bonkers.

[Louzie0]

Anyone who thinks that Shay Given is good enough for us, is misty eyed over a 30 year old keeper who used to play a blinder against us every single game. The fact that five years on his shoulder is held together with gaffer tape is the key to why I don't want us to sign him. 

I want a good GK.  Unhappily, this is the impression I have of Given.  But maybe his shoulder has got better.  if so, what a bonus! 

[Chris Smith]

Anyone who thinks that Shay Given is good enough for us, is misty eyed over a 30 year old keeper who used to play a blinder against us every single game. The fact that five years on his shoulder is held together with gaffer tape is the key to why I don't want us to sign him. 

I want a good GK.  Unhappily, this is the impression I have of Given.  But maybe his shoulder has got better.  if so, what a bonus! 

I hope so. It seems so long since I've seen him play I've forgotten what he's like.

[*shellac*]

If people think Shay Given is not goo enough for us, they are living in a dream world.

Dan, I Can Dream About You.

[Irish villain]

Shay Given is still one of the best 'keepers in the business. I can't understand why people wouldn't want him here. I think he's better than Friedal. In my opinion, Given's arrival this summer would mean we had improved in that position.

[Mazrim]

True. He is better than Friedel, but not the best keeper we could feasibly get. I would prefer Robinson or Foster. Still, I would be happy with Given in goal.
The only misgivings I have about him are the injury situation and the fact he stays on his line too much.

But an improvement, certainly.

[pauliewalnuts]

Shay Given is still one of the best 'keepers in the business. I can't understand why people wouldn't want him here. I think he's better than Friedal. In my opinion, Given's arrival this summer would mean we had improved in that position.

He's constantly injured, for starters.

[jonzy85]

Given is better than Robinson or Foster and will be for the next 3-5 years. Say we sign him on a 3 year deal, then assess on whether age is catching up etc. Foster will be 3 years older and we will have a better idea of whether he can cut it as a Premier League keeper.

I think the strategy for signing keepers should be the opposite to outfield players. With all the conditioning, flexibility and other physical work that keepers do nowadays, they are able to keep going at their top level until they are 40 or more. Over the last few years the best keepers have been between 35-40 and I think you could say that this is their prime.

Goalkeeping is all about experience, organisation and concentration. These attributes improve with age. Put this with them being able to maintain their physical attributes and you see why the likes of Van Der Saar, Friedel, Schwarzer, James, even Sorensen for Stoke, had some of their best years in their late 30s.

Anyway that's just my theory. I am a bit surprised at Fergie splashing out on the 20 year old De Gea for this reason. I do think that goalkeeper signings have been a weakness of Fergie over his career though. Schmeichel was obviously a resounding success, but since then only Van Der Sar has worked out and that was after him being right under his nose at Fulham for about 4 years.

[Mazrim]

Given is better than Robinson or Foster

I disagree. I think they're both better all round keepers.
Given probably edges the shot-stopping department but that's about it.

[jonzy85]

Shay Given is still one of the best 'keepers in the business. I can't understand why people wouldn't want him here. I think he's better than Friedal. In my opinion, Given's arrival this summer would mean we had improved in that position.

He's constantly injured, for starters.

Eh...no he isn't.

You would never win 113 caps for your country if you were constantly injured.

Bar the recent shoulder problem, the only time I can remember him being injured in anyway seriously was when Marlon Harewood bundled into him and punctured his bowel.

Sure just look at Steve Harper's Newcastle appearances career while Given was there, it tells its own story.

[Toronto Villa]

Shay Given is still one of the best 'keepers in the business. I can't understand why people wouldn't want him here. I think he's better than Friedal. In my opinion, Given's arrival this summer would mean we had improved in that position.

He's constantly injured, for starters.

Eh...no he isn't.

You would never win 113 caps for your country if you were constantly injured.

Bar the recent shoulder problem, the only time I can remember him being injured in anyway seriously was when Marlon Harewood bundled into him and punctured his bowel.

Sure just look at Steve Harper's Newcastle appearances career while Given was there, it tells its own story.

His injury problem is relatively recent which is a concern. He's played over 400 club games and as you pointed out 113 times for Ireland so it's not like his entire career has been plagued by injury.

[pedro25]

Was it Given who injured himself when Bouma scuffed his only goal in for Villa in front of the Holte against the Toon?

[Mazrim]

Was it Given who injured himself when Bouma scuffed his only goal in for Villa in front of the Holte against the Toon?

No, Harper I think.

[jonzy85]

Given is better than Robinson or Foster

I disagree. I think they're both better all round keepers.
Given probably edges the shot-stopping department but that's about it.

I'll agree to disagree on Robinson. He has come back a good keeper after a couple of poor years. Maybe how badly he was treated by England had something to do with it.

But, Foster has had 1 good season with Watford and 1 with Birmingham last year. He is 28 and that's all the Premier League experience he has had. From the limited times I have seen him, I would have to say his delivery has been poor.

By the way, the stuff about Given not commanding his area etc., is a myth and I hope he gets to dispell it this season at Villa Park.

[Merv]

However much it is, we all know McLeish has got a budget to balance and while Given's not my first choice, if Foster is going to cost £9-£10m (and I read a story earlier in the week that his contract release clause is £9m - true or not I don't know) then.... I'm not sure we're in a position to spend the best part of £10m on a 'keeper. Especially one who still has the odd question mark against him.