Shay Given

[oldtimernow]

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.

[Rancid custard]

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.

[Salsa Party Animal]

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.

[Malandro]

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.

[sid1964]

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.

[supertom]

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.

[eastie]

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.

[Salsa Party Animal]

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.

[supertom]

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.

[paul_e]

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.

[Louzie0]

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.

[QBVILLA]

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

[andrew08]

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!

[peter w]

Just because a player wants to play doesn't mean he should lower his contracted salary just to do it.

[supertom]

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.