Message from Brad Friedel

[gervilla]

Nice touch Brad. Best of luck.

[Lizz]

Fair play to him, a very nice touch that he didn't have to say, and something that not many players seem to do.

They don't, but it's so easy to do and has made us feel warm and fuzzy. You would have thought, for their 10%, agents would throw in a bit of basic PR.

That's what tends to surprise me. For all the advice they pay for and receive, and given that perception's normally more important than reality, the advice players receive from their PR people seems to be poor value for money. Or maybe the players are earning so much, they don't need to worry about positive PR.

[KevinGage]

One of the better keepers we've had post Bosnich -possibly the best.

There were definite signs the old reflexes were going last year though. If I was a Tottingham fan I wouldn't have exactly been doing cartwheels at the thought of his arrival.

To really put the boot in -and go against the grain of most of this thread-  we obviously weren't important/ attractive enough an option for him to remain. He joined us on the up -and played a big part in our consistently good defensive record for two seasons. But when things looked set to get a bit tougher here, he didn't want to stick around.  His prerogative, but I'll hold fire on the gushing sentiments. Even if he does say a few nice words on his ex clubs website.

[dave.woodhall]

What would we be saying if we'd signed a 40 year old on a two-year contract?

[ozzjim]

Comfortably the best O'Neill signing for me. Top class 'keeper.

Really? A very good player no doubt, but a better signing than Young or Milner?

I would put him 2nd to Young, but Milner I give MON very little credit for, as he got very lucky in that he had no choice but to move him inside when he failed to replace Barry and lucked out on him being superb. Also, the club and Milner had a long running thing so think he was quite an easy signing. Big Brad was a real big signing at the time, and shocked quite a few. Excellent in spells, decent in others, but never terrible like some keepers can be.

Given will prove equally good value.

[QBVILLA]

One of the better keepers we've had post Bosnich -possibly the best.

There were definite signs the old reflexes were going last year though. If I was a Tottingham fan I wouldn't have exactly been doing cartwheels at the thought of his arrival.

To really put the boot in -and go against the grain of most of this thread-  we obviously weren't important/ attractive enough an option for him to remain. He joined us on the up -and played a big part in our consistently good defensive record for two seasons. But when things looked set to get a bit tougher here, he didn't want to stick around.  His prerogative, but I'll hold fire on the gushing sentiments. Even if he does say a few nice words on his ex clubs website.

What contract if any was he offered to stay? A two year deal at 40 is too good to turn down

[rutski]

'Hey, check out the big brain on brad!'

thanks Quentin!

[Neil Hawkes]

Nice sentiments, it's good to know there are still some gentlemen left in the game.

Best of luck to Brad and thanks for the service.

[curiousorange]

Can't argue with that, nice sentiments.

[Dave]

Milner I give MON very little credit for, as he got very lucky in that he had no choice but to move him inside when he failed to replace Barry and lucked out on him being superb

I disagree.

Many people were up in arms that we were spending so much money on a player who sometimes struggled to get into Newcastle's first team and it's not like his loan spell suggested he was a £12m player.

O'Neill saw something there and managed to bring the best out of him.

Put it this way, had it not been for O'Neill, there's no way Milner would be earning £100k per week following a £26m transfer.

[QBVILLA]

Comfortably the best O'Neill signing for me. Top class 'keeper.

Really? A very good player no doubt, but a better signing than Young or Milner?

I would put him 2nd to Young, but Milner I give MON very little credit for, as he got very lucky in that he had no choice but to move him inside when he failed to replace Barry and lucked out on him being superb.

I can't go along with this.If you want to slate him for the signings that went wrong then you can't dismiss the ones who were a roaring success as lucky.O'neill for his failings did sign Milner and he got the very best out of him as he did with a number of players.

[fordbeck]

Brad was a good signing, no more no less
For every point he saved us, he lost us one
That's the view from above
He was not worth another £5m in wages, thats for sure

[luke25]

Brad was a good signing, no more no less
For every point he saved us, he lost us one
That's the view from above
He was not worth another £5m in wages, thats for sure

fuck me, 3 post's and each one more negative than the last, you must be a hoot to be around.

[gervilla]

Brad is gone, Shay is in.
There you go.
A positive post.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Happy with Given but Big Brad has class ...........