Shay Given

[garyshawsknee]

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.

[Percy McCarthy]

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.

[Ger Regan]

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.

[Barney74]

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)   A fucking class act.

[TheSandman]

Not my first choice but he should be solid enough. Hope his shoulder is fixed.

[hartman_1982]

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.

[JUAN PABLO]

Well , If his shoulder gets injured again , at least Ireland will have a shoulder to cry on on their days off ..

[TimTheVillain]

Get him in, always been a top notch keeper.

[JJ-AV]

Decent addition. Hope he can stay fit.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Providing his shoulder is finally fixed after two operations, I think he'll be a great signing.

[Mister E]

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.

[Merv]

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)   A fucking class act.

I fucking well knew it! Get in, Seamus! 

[frank black]

Let's hope he's as useful as the last player with an injury prone record we signed from Manchester.

[Richie]

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.

[darren woolley]

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.