Shay Given To Consider His International Future.

[Lambert and Payne]

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

[junxs]

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.

[philthebar]

Unless he acts quickly, he won't need to consider his international future. 

I think it will be decided for him.

[N'ZMAV]

Friedel > Given

[Irish villain]

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.

[PaulWinch again]

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.

[silhillvilla]

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

[Pete3206]

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.

[N'ZMAV]

Richard Dunne isn't helping Given....again...

[MoetVillan]

I pity the team that has Dunne AND Given in their defence going on their international displays.

Oh wait.... Doh!

[Concrete John]

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!

[not3bad]

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.

[Risso]

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.

[Concrete John]

No objection to that, Rissbert!

[The Laughing Policeman]

Richard Dunne isn't helping Given....again...

I think we can all take that as given.