There have been lots of stories about Shay Given yesterday and today about showdown talks with new manager Sam Allardyce. The tone is characterized as even hostile with Shay wanting to have it out with Big Sam.
But when you read what Shay actually said and forget about the sensational headlines, then it’s all very logical and sensible.
All Shay says is that he needs to sit down and talk with his manager. He wants to see what Sam is thinking and have a discussion with him, which Shay admits he hasn’t done yet.
Shay Given - Newcastle’s star goalkeeper training for Saturday’s Slovakia v Ireland game
It all seems perfectly logical to us, but here’s what Shay actually said, as he prepared for the Ireland game in Slovakia on Saturday.
“I haven’t really spoken to the manager yet,” “I’ve gone away with Ireland so I haven’t had time to sit down with him, so I’ll have to do that when I get back after these games.
“I’m not sure what his thinking is or whatever, but obviously I’ve been out for a while with my groin and I played on Wednesday night, so maybe he felt that it was better for me not to play on Saturday and put too much pressure on it.â€
“We’ll see what happens. It’s good to have competition in every position in the club, so if that’s the case then I’ll have to see what happens.â€
“I don’t really know what his thoughts are because I haven’t spoken to him and he hasn’t spoken to me. It’s hard to say what his thinking is for the future, but I’m really just focusing on these games now.”
Now does that sound like someone who’s upset or worried about things at Newcastle? We don’t think so and believe we should take these reports with a large pinch of salt. We just think it’s the press winding things up - again.
Shay has been one of Newcastle’s very best performers over the last 10 years and is the best goalkeeper in Newcastle’s history. He has saved the team on countless occasions. It just happens that able deputy Steve Harper – who hasn’t played much over that period – has come in and played extremely well. Sam is right to continue with Steve in goal but it will not be long before we’ll see Shay between the posts again. Don’t think it’s not possible for Big Sam to keep both goalkeepers happy at Newcastle United.
Comments are welcome.
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67 responses so far ↓
1 Shearer 4 pm // Sep 5, 2007 at 18:30
seems fair
im no 1 woooo
2 JoshI // Sep 5, 2007 at 18:34
The media have definatley been making a mountain out of a mole hill on this one, i think BSA just wants to rest him for a while, he has been in great demand these past few years lol
3 Remote Magpie // Sep 5, 2007 at 18:35
Not quite so sure you are right! With BSA’s legendary man-management skills, I find it inconceivable that Shay would have been left out of the team without even a word of explanation. Sounds to me that Shay WAS given a word of explanation, and it was a word (or more) that he didn’t like, and a reasoning he didn’t agree with. I think this is saying pretty much what the papers have inferred: Shay doesn;t like what happened and wants a chance to explain exactly why to the gaffer. Whether that counts as a “showdown” I don’t know. I doubt Shay would be naive enough to jeopardise a long and successful career, and provoke a move he probably doesn’t really want to make. But I suspect he does want a full and frank meeting of minds. Call that what you will.
4 WelshWizard // Sep 5, 2007 at 18:46
southern shandy drinkers in london making into something that isn’t there…..tossers
5 Rich // Sep 5, 2007 at 18:52
i hope your right, youve ommitted his last comment though which is:
“I’m excited about playing in two massive games and getting away, I suppose, from the club”
hopefully hell be inbetweenthe stick against Derby, as i said before wed be in the championship if it wasnt for our legend Shay.
6 nightfall // Sep 5, 2007 at 19:09
maybe there’s pressure on BS from FA…we all know how “well” england is doing…you’ll be lucky if you qualify for EC… perhaps that’s why owen and harper were 1st choices lately…and not given and martins…
7 JoshI // Sep 5, 2007 at 19:17
I hate corruption in football! If only it could be like it was 15-20 years ago.
8 Callum // Sep 5, 2007 at 19:32
Nghtfall - Harper has been in goal because of Givens injury and Harper has been in good form whilst in goal so he doesnt deserved to be dropped and Owen needs match practice hence why he started vs Barnsley and scored so its hard to drop him for the Wigan game when his confidence would have been high, a game in which he scored again
So its all because of the players form and fitness NOT pressure from FA
9 Kevin // Sep 5, 2007 at 19:42
Callum - I think we’d all like to believe that team selections and other decisions in football are based purely on player form, and we all can agree that it’s great to see Owen back and regaining fitness, and that Harper’s been immense between the sticks lately. But Nightfall, I think, brings up a fantastic point. There’s always more than seems apparent going on behind the scenes. And maybe this time, Shay has been on the receiving end of a nasty bit of bureaucracy.
One thing we can all agree on is, if Shay is concerned with his playing time and becoming upset, we better all damn well hope that he and BSA can sort it quickly - because he’s one of the top three keepers in the Prem and losing Shay is losing a MASSIVE piece to our puzzle.
Harper is good - Shay is LEGEND.
10 Andy T // Sep 5, 2007 at 19:52
Look - its all a bunch of Arsenal supporting journo’s trying to deflect attention away from the fact that their Number 1 (probably now 2) keeper is such a flapper that the RSPB have started listing him in their recent publications.
11 magpieranger // Sep 5, 2007 at 19:55
How many times in the past have certain players just walked back in to the first team after an injury? Not only is it bad practice medically but its also been poor man management. How does Steve Harper feel knowing he is not going to be playing the following Saturday no matter how well he is playing himself. If we want to move forward then we have to create competition for places. Steve Harper should stay between the sticks until he gives reason to be dropped or is injured himself.
I just want to say as well that Sam has won me over big time, His signings look to be immense but its the stuff like sticking with harper that says to me that the man knows what he is doing.
Let the good times roll again
auf wiedersehen
12 Graham // Sep 5, 2007 at 20:24
Transfer window closed + Mike Ashley committing to the long term future of NUFC = southern ponces dreaming up more bull to try and unsettle us little northerners. I know this is a family site and i appologize in advance - but what a bunch of wankers the southern press are - maybe Alan Oliver could do a job for them???
13 Darren // Sep 5, 2007 at 20:49
Without going into things too much you should be worried over this, BSA has said he prefers Harper as he thinks Given is not commanding enough in the air. I can’t back this up with readily available proof right now so you will have to wait I’m afraid but it isn’t paper bull and will all come out over the next month (feel free to call me anything you wish in the meantime but I’m not talking tripe)
And don’t be suprised if Given puts in a transfer request, he did when Gullit dropped him.
14 Rich // Sep 5, 2007 at 20:54
Darren - Given hasnt been dropped he was INJURED.
its not like he was put on the subs bench out of the blue FFS.
Id love to see this proof of yours, are you good mates with Big Sams Aunties hairdressers dog walker or something?
15 Jóhann // Sep 5, 2007 at 20:58
Finally some one with sense. At least a manager who sees that Harper is the better keeper. It´s exactly what Darren says. I feel like they are just as good in everything except when it comes to saving shots right at the post and of course when it comes to commanding an area. Don´t be stupid and think that all along it has just been the defense that was leaking. The reason was simply that they didn´t really count that much on given, especially when it comes to area ability. That´s why he´ll never be one of the great ones. Don´t be blind be realistic.
16 andy // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:00
sell him, well get atleast 7mill, and then we can put it towards buying deco
Plus harper is class
plus when harper has retired krul will be ready to play as first team regular so might aswell cash in on given whilst we still can
17 big pea ov the weab // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:03
just all been blowen out of propotion shays a lifer every 1 no s that 1
18 ToonKing // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:17
Ever since last season i rate Harper and Given almost equally and they should be rotated depending on form, and as someone sad Shay is a legend, maybe Harper would be one too if he was given the opportunity.
For me it’s clear, Shay was injured, reserve goally came on, he did well so BS saw that there is no need to rush Shay.
As for selling Given and buying Deco……………damn i’m not even gonna comment this. I never wanted Deco, there is no need whatsoever for him + there are always good, great playmakers out there but u can’t find a goally of Givens standard any day mate.
19 Sinead // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:18
Shay, in my oppinion is the best keeper in the Premiership, if not Europe, I hate this Cech is the best thing, he most be if he plays for Chelsea he’s never anything to do. Anyway. Given is better then Harper. Harper knows it, we know it, everyone knows that and surely so does Sam. Now rewarding loyalty should only go so far. Why have a better keeper on the bench just cause the other ones done nothing wrong, well if there’s a better player there, then tough, but that’s football. I’m sorry like, he mightn’t do anything wrong, and he might deserve to play like but the truth is if Given’s better, which he is, then Given should play.
I don’t think it’s as simple as form and fitness. It could be a number of things, a lot of ye here think that Sam is the next big thing, that he’s going to do great things for the club..no matter what. Ye think that he’s this innocent, squeaky clean guy, who always has the club and players best interests at heart. Given mostn’t be playing because he doesn’t want to risk him..no I don’t believe that either, like if he’s fit he’s fit. Again though I don’t think it’s that simple.
I think that there’s a rift between them, and some other players in the club. I think that it could be that maybe he doesn’t like Given, or maybe Nightfall has a point. Looking at yere selection for keepers in England, it isn’t great and some people are calling for Owen to come back and Harper to be in goals. I think that Martins is better then Owen and I know that Given is better the Harper. So trying to explain why they were on the bench like is a bit to much of a coincidence.
I think that Sam is too obbsesed with the apperance of the clubs, the strikers, all he ever talks about is Owen this, Owen that. Personally I think that Owen’s past it, is overated and given special treatment. Like I said why leave the better players on the bench. It’s all about portraying the club. That and everyones talking about foreign players and the lack of English players in the premiership. England is struggling at the moment. And maybe now they want to make an impact, maybe it is pressure from the FA whatever it is. It’s pollitics and it’s unfair for the other players to get caught up in it.
If players on the bench are better then the players on the pitch..then somethings wrong.
I don’t like Sam, I think that there is a divide in the club I don’t think some of the players are happy with him I don’t think that he likes some of the players. I think that amongst many things he wants to make his mark, show that he is in charge and not playing someone like Given could be to proove a point. Now Given isn’t a premodanna, he’s a sound, loyal, hardworking player, the other players respect him, he’s a big influence. Maybe Sam isn’t happy about that.
MAybe it is just Sam being concerened for Given and not wanting to push him back into it. I don’t know. Maybe I am reading way too much into this. But I don’t think so. Something isn’t right.
Not what will happen is, watch, just watch, it all depends on 2 things, how far the media take this, like it’s one thing if they drop it and there’s another controversey tomorow, but if they keep pushing it. Sam might crack under the pressure and play Given. Or he could hold firm and be even more big headed. And it also depends on the Irish games, we’ve 2 big games ahead of us and we need to win both, if Given plays a blinder for either or both then he’ll be back in, if he doesn’t have much to do, and if the media drop it he wont be.
That’s how I look at it anyway. All this is guess work like, there alot of rumurs, different versions of the truth. I could be completley wrong here like but something isn’t right.
20 Kevin // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:20
Andy -
Why would you want to “cash in” on a world class player when he’s still effective? I’ve got news for you m8- we’re pushing for a Champion’s League spot, not trying to rebuild a struggling team. We need the best players we’ve got, and Shay’s tops.
And anyone who says Harper’s just as good as Shay must have been blinking EACH AND EVERY TIME he’s punched a ball away when he could have caught it. That is INFURIATING.
21 Graeme // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:22
How can you possibly condone even thinking about selling Given??? Sheer stupidity. He has saved us so many times, its frightening. We would have been relegated without him - its as simple as that.
He is our Number One keeper; always has been, always will be.
His ability is without question; his positional play, his vision are superb. Long may he be seen between the sticks for NUFC!!!!!
22 Sinead // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:24
Darren..I do think that Sam prefers Harper, he prefers a big physical presence in the box and like Given is a legend, an amazing keeper but he, in goalkeeping standards is small. It’s no secret that he preffers Harper who’s a “diamond” according to Sam, now if a keeper as good as Given isn’t getting regular games then he should walk. Why should he stay.
23 ChrisL // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:25
It’s just a period of adaption for a player that is used to being the 1st name on the team sheet as long as he’s half fit.
It would be nice for Harper to get more games, looking at his international rivals, you never know… He could be the man to rescue England between the sticks!
24 Tripp // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:39
Given the number of times Given (unfortunate name, it is) was injured last season and now this, I think it makes perfect sense to rest him. The groin injuries need to become a thing of the past. Putting him back ‘tween the sticks everytime he looks like he’s fixed means he just re-injures the bloody thing. That’s exactly what happened last season under Roeder. Shay wasn’t the only one victimized by that either. NUFC is blessed with two excellent keepers. They were consistently good all last season. Save for the constant injuries they were the only dependable lot last season.
25 Sinead // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:50
Andy..see you proove my point right. If a vote was taken on who you’d rather have in the club Given or Owen then you would be one of the ones who would vote for Owen to stay. A real fan eh. You are delusional if you think that Harper is better then Given. You are just how I think Sam is like and some Newcastle fans who only care about strikers, well it doesn’t matter how many goals you score if ye keep leaking goals.
One word to describe you as a Newcastle fan is pathetic. Every Newcastle fan, even if they say they don’t takes Given for granted. It’s no coincidence that ye finished really low last year, Given was out for the majority of the last season and when he was playing, half the time he wasn’t fit. The games in between, when he was fully fit he did really well, like against Arsenal.
Now why is it that Newcastle finished lower then ever, just a coincidence, right??
26 WelshWizard // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:54
Sinead
we finished lower than ever last season because Owen was injured….lol……
27 WelshWizard // Sep 5, 2007 at 21:58
No, but seriously tho, last season we were ripped apart by injuries throughout the whole squad, not just Given, and on top of that we were managed by a poor manager who constantly made wrong team selections and tactics……
28 Sinead // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:11
Welsh Wizard..
I’m going to take what you said about Owen to be a joke.
Ya other were injured but that’s never mattered before, aload of injuries and bad defending never really mattered before because half the time the team would play worse with a full team, it never mattered before cause Given was there.
The same manager who was everyones saviour 2 years ago. He did the best he could in the circumstances.
29 Craig Allen // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:12
(Un)Fortunately, no player is bigger than the game so if he wants to leave or his unhappy after speaking to Sam about his future then he should go. Having him around in that mental state could have a divisive influence on nufc.
Having said that, Shay is still better than Harper. I doubt Sam is that stupid to think that nufc fans would believe otherwise. Shay is an icon. Maybe he was being rested a game and is back against Derby or he’s starts from the bench. One thing’s for sure, if he doesn’t play against Derby, there’d better be a damn good explanation for that.
30 Keep Oba // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:13
English teams dont put enough emphasis on keepers…that Gordon kid at 9mil broke the record. I like having both Shay and Harper. Shay is first, but give Harper some games and all will be fine. And if one gets hurt you still have the other. I dont see much of a problem here.
31 JoshI // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:37
Harper = Good…… Given = Great……. as it has been said, Shay is a figurehead and the best shot stopper the world has ever seen!
32 Rich // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:38
I cant believe some people think we should sell Shay, i really cannot believe their are NUFC fans out their who dont rate Shay… im shocked.
Again, i believe without Shay we would be in the championship just now, people above say Given & Harper are equals but does no one remember that terrible own goal last season?? bramble passes it back to Harper, Haper tries to kick it, kicks air and balls in the back of the net, ive NEVER, EVER seen Shay do anything like that. Dont get me wrong i like Harper but Shay is one of the best gaolies in the world.
Shay is as much a Toon legend as Alan Shearer IMO.
33 JoshI // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:45
I think it was actually 1 person who thought we should sell him. I love the way even if it was someone elses mistake bramble is always mentioned lol
34 JoshI // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:50
Does anyone think Barton will play against Derby or West Ham? or will he be rested?
35 Andy T // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:56
Sinead - not sure exactly which planet you are on regarding Big Sam, rifts in the squad and only talking about strikers.
He was forced to talk a lot about strikers because of the release clauses in Martins & Owens contracts. If you look at his actions, he has ofloaded two striker/midfielders in the form of Luque and Sibierski and replaced them with Smith and Viduka, - a good deal in my view because we were lacking depth when it came to tall, strong centre forwards and smith plays the advanced midfield role much better than either. In addition he has let go 4 midfielders who didn’t want to be here and replaced them with 3 who did - the four let go were 2 defensive and 2 atacking (Parker, Solano O’Brian and Dyer) and replaced them with 2 defensive and one atacking in the shape of Barton, Geremi and Faye. In the defense he has let all but one of the central defenders go and brought in a new crop while also moving a naturally atacking midfielder back into the defense. Alongside Rozenhal and Cacapa, Beye and Faye can also play center back, and Taylor is there as well Ramage is also a center back by preference, but the last choice behind those already mentioned. With Beye, Taylor, Ramage and Carr competing for the right back position (or at least when fit) and Babayaro, N’Zogbia and Enrique fighting over the left back position Sam has revolutionised our defense. So I really dont care what he is accused of talking about - his actions for me speak far louder. But what makes me laugh is that was pretty much what he said he was going to do from day 1! As for unhappy players and rifts - every manager has their player ding dongs, its how professionaly they manage it and how the players perform afterwards that really matters. Keegan managed to piss off John Beresford and Lee Clark. Guillet had Shearer which cost him his Job. Dalgliesh pissed off everyone Guillet had brought in. SBR had the Dyer incident, Souness the same with Bellamy, Carr and a few others. Roeder unsettled N’Zogbia and O’Brian. What big Sam has brought to Newcastle is serious compotition for places, with no one an automatic on the team sheet. In the short term this might ruffle a few feathers, but while its tougher for each individual player, it is fantastic for the squad, the club and the supporters .
36 gordon // Sep 5, 2007 at 22:59
Didnt shay given put in a transfer request in similar circumstances in 2001 under SBR.Everyone knows shay is a great keeper but his weaknesses at crosses and penalties (which he is useless) is there for everyone to see.No one is infallable at Newcastle United under this regime and so it may continue.
37 Sinead // Sep 5, 2007 at 23:08
Andy..So what he brought in new players, strengthened the side. I’m not denying that. “Sam has revolutionised our defense”..bull. He did what the last managers didn’t do, bought a couple of good defenders..someone give him a Blue Peter badge, what does he want a gold star?? That’s what a manager is expected to do, it’s what he’s supposed to do and that’s what he did. So what?? So all that’s sorted his main priority now seems to be the strikers. Nearly every other article is him talking about Owen, Martins..etc.
Yere acting like Sam has done something amazing all he’s done is bought some apparently good defenders. I’m sure strentghing the squad, especially the weakest part of it is in his job description. But ye all act like he’s done something spectacular.
38 Sinead // Sep 5, 2007 at 23:09
Gordon..
Not many keepers are good at penalties, it’s a guessing game, he’s saved some important penalties for us so I’m not complaining. Under crosses, Given is an amazing keeper but he’s small in goalkeeping terms, of course he’ll be weaker under croses. No ones faultless.
39 gordon // Sep 5, 2007 at 23:16
Your last but one comment is absolute garbage,“Sam has revolutionised our defenseâ€..bull bought a couple of good defenders.enrique,rozenhal,cacapa,baye and faye thats 5 at very little money,even the stupidity of souness and roeder couldnt even do that.If you dont like big sam fine but stop talking utter bullshit.
40 Viggo // Sep 5, 2007 at 23:34
Big Sam is simply making sure Given stays injury free. Given has been getting injured again and again and having him play two games in three days makes no sense when you’ve got a very good replacement in Harper.
It makes perfect sense to me.
41 Darren // Sep 6, 2007 at 2:57
@ RICH
Mock all you want I’m just telling it like it is, Allardyce prefers Harper, I can’t go into how I know so sorry. I’m not too happy about it personally as I rate Given the better keeper but that is what is going on - as I said if I am proved wrong then give me as much shite as you want.
And no matter which way you put it Given was left out at the weekend, he was on the bench at Boro, started -v- Barnsley then was back on the bench for the Wigan game - so no Rich, Given wasn’t injured (do you go to matches at all????)
42 Tripp // Sep 6, 2007 at 3:27
@ Darren
“as I said if I am proved wrong then give me as much shite as you want.” Apparently, you don’t really trust your inside information when you qualify it like that. How many times was Given injured last season? He aggravated the problem again this summer. Continuing to play him without giving him a break is precisely why there were so many injuries last season. The “injury crisis” was the result of a thin squad (quality wise) and Roeder’s insistence on return the better players too soon. We faced relegation because we couldn’t score a bloody goal at SJP against rubbish sides. The best a goal tender can do is keep you in a game. You can’t win if you can’t score! These bizarre rants by you an Sinbad O’Conor really don’t contribute anything. If you’ve got a decent argument, by all means, enlighten us, but check the “I know but I can’t tell you” rubbish at the door. You’re not going to change any minds with that bollocks.
43 Johnny Utah // Sep 6, 2007 at 4:43
Why care…aren’t you happy we are winning or drawing games and not losing?
Harper looks good, wait for him to mess up and then bring in Given…and so on.
Rotation systems are great and the competition has to make the team stronger. If Given plays well when he gets his chance (which he always does) then Harper will be back on the bench.
I will be a happy man to see these repeat injuries or tweaks as a thing of the past. Rushing people back does nothing good for the player or the team.
44 Jim // Sep 6, 2007 at 7:38
Press cannot help but try and stir thinGs up at SJP,must be the southern mob
45 rich // Sep 6, 2007 at 7:58
As i said before Given was injured, the same re-occuring injury so its not like he has just been replaced by Harper for no reason.
and as for these people saying they have ‘inside’ information that big sam doesnt like Given i think thats pure rubbish, i remember before the Burnley game Big Sam said in an interview ‘I hope to get Given back on the field, hes been nursing his injury for a while now and is still getting back to fitness but the Burnley game should be a good run out for him’ something along those lines.
really sounds like Big Sam doesnt like Given.
Jeezus.
46 apan // Sep 6, 2007 at 8:05
given just recovered from an injury, why rush him? BSA knows what his doing
47 Toon Chicken // Sep 6, 2007 at 8:18
Shay’s married to a bonny lass from Hexham. He loves life in the Toon. He won’t be going anywhere - except maybe back to Ireland when he retires.
He’s just come back from injury and will have to prove himself in training and with the reserves, just like Michael Owen did.
Don’t worry, it won’t be too long before we see Shay back between the sticks. Remember, form is temporary but class is permanent!
48 Lamesley Mag // Sep 6, 2007 at 10:57
BSA continues to look after his players and does not rush them back quickly. Shay has 2 international games this week; Harper has none.
We all agree, Shay is No-1, but Harper is an adequate deputy and it’s essential we do not rush Shay back to soon. If Shay has any knid of strain after returning from international duty, expect Harper to start at Derby……
49 Bosck // Sep 6, 2007 at 11:21
Quite simply sinead the club would be better off without supporters like you.
Exactly how do you quantify your claim that there is a rift within the squad. All evidence suggests the opposite. some of the characters with previous history of stirring trouble have left, two more that were accused of it last season have gone out of their way in recent interviews to praise the manager and club. We are unbeaten and gradually gaining momentum even before the team has gelled.
All the noises coming from every squad member interviewed are positive.
Allardyce has of course been talking about owen and martins, because that us who the press continually ask about due to the fact that owen is englands number 1 striker, so the press will want to know if he is playing.
as for the claims about harper being prefered to given i have just checked every major football site i can think of for reports from allardyce even remotely suggesting harper is prefered. the only ones you can find is allardyce talking about when given will be back. allardyce will take things slowly and bring given in gradually so as not to aggravate the injury. if he has too good games for ireland then we may see him back in but he has to be 100% fit first.
most of this is just the press spouting rubbish, as they can not find there usual favourite negative stories about newcastle so are twisting words and making them up. the fact that some fans on here are jumping on the band wagon shows how fickle some fans are.
oh and you guys dont need to be quite so harsh on southerners there are a few of us that are ok!! i’m a born and bred southerner but the toon are my one and only team!!!
50 Bosck // Sep 6, 2007 at 11:32
oh yeah i should point out that harper is also a legend in my eyes for a different reason to given. Given to me has the slight edge over harper but i’d still say harper is in the top 10 keepers in the league, he could have been no.1 at most other clubs but he has stayed loyal to his home town team and is ready to play whenever called upon and just work hard for the squad.
You dont find many players these days with such a loyal and hardworking attitude.
51 Darren // Sep 6, 2007 at 11:40
Now I know you don’t attend games Rich, when did we play Burnley?
The rest of you can keep the muck coming all you want but time will tell. I’m not anti Newcastle or anti Given and I’m not pro Harper. I’m just telling you like it is. And sorry I could put the name on here of who told me this but do you not think that would cause more trouble than it is worth?
If people don’t want to believe it then fair enough but what is the point of this blog otherwise? It is to promote discussion yet I am being flamed for giving you an informed piece of info. God help me if I just expressed an opinion. Without the comments this blog would just be a rehash of Chronicle/Nufc.co.uk articles along with the usual “we think sam is clever/great/excellent/correct/experienced/a motivator” line stuck on the end.
52 Bosck // Sep 6, 2007 at 12:19
darren the point of this site is to promote a discussion, and stating opinions would be perfect and noone would have a problem with you for doing so.
However to state what you claim are facts but not give us any evidence to support them is not creating a discussion or stating an opinion, it is making a statement and expecting everyone to accept it totally unsubstantiated.
I dont see what the problem is with telling everyone who told you, if it is true then it is hardly going to remain a secret as harper will continue to play in front of given, so why would your source care about being revealed. If it is not true then they may face reprocussions but then they shouldnt have said it in the first place if it wasnt true and they couldnt back it up.
53 Bosck // Sep 6, 2007 at 12:26
and finally, why if allardyce prefers harper to given would he allocate the squad numbers; 1 to given, and 13 to harper. if harper was going to be his first choice he’d get the 1 shirt.
54 rich // Sep 6, 2007 at 12:55
@ Darren -
Barnsley, Burnley, Bolton their all the same
i posted that at like 7:30 in the morning my brain was just kick starting.
as one of the previous posters says your not getting flamed for your opinion, its because your saying you know something for a fact but you cant say how or why you know.
you say you cant name the person, but seriously, do you think Sky Sports News are giong to write a front page story that someone on a blog said Terry Mcdermot told him that etc..etc..
no, only we pay attention to what you say, no newcastle officials will care, no one in the press will care.
so their is no reason for you not to reveal how you know what you are saying.
If you just attemped to add a slight bit of credence to your claim then people wouldnt get so annoyed.
55 SS // Sep 6, 2007 at 13:11
Its a slow day for news in the papers once the transfer window closes……
lets give them something else to write about.
Elvis was spotted at the training ground just before the transfer window closed - BSA planning a shock bid in January. Its true - but I cant reveal my sources
Some ancient maps unearthed in the city library last week , prove conculsively that SJP was built on the site of an ancient indian burial ground. MA is going to physically lift and move the ground onto the town moor during the next international break so the site can be cleared. Its true but I cant reveal my sources.
Arsenal are going to have 6 points deducted - Officials found a button in the home dug-out which could reduce or extend the goal posts by as much as 4 inches. Its true, but I really cant reveal my sources.
Scientists at Newcastle University, have identified that because the numper of pages in the tabloids stays the same, the amount of bollocks printed in newspapers is inversely proportional to the amount of real news there is to print.
etc etc.
56 Ed Harrison // Sep 6, 2007 at 13:19
Bossck - that’s not true - they would just keep the same squad numbers - they are allocated right at the start of the season when training starts….and players already having numbers very rarely are changed - even for goalkeepers.
57 SS // Sep 6, 2007 at 13:32
and apparently….
During his recent medical, prior to joining Wigan, doctors were astonished to find that self styled defender, Titus Bramble, actually has his feet attached to the opposite legs. BSA paid for an operation to have them reversed out of his own pocket.
Scientists at Newcastle University have also discovered that the chant of “Keanoooooooo” can attract seagulls from many miles, and acts as a natural laxative for the species. Representatives from the Stadium of Shite were unavailable for comment.
The BBC announced today that Luciano Pavarotti’s dying wish was for his body to be preserved and left on display in an executive box at Saint James Park. Fans at the club will be encouraged to wave at the famous deceased tenor at half time, in a deal which will see a similar arrangement for singer Cliff Richards in the opposite direction to Inter Milan in the near future.
La La La - easy money…….
58 WelshWizard // Sep 6, 2007 at 13:59
SS
your a funny Guy/Lass….
59 Bosck // Sep 6, 2007 at 14:18
ed - i know the squad numbers were allocated at the start of the season and are rarely changed. but the top goalkeeper at a club invariably wears the no.1 shirt. therefore if allardyce did prefer harper as has been said, then when the allocations were done at the start of the season he would have allocated the number 1 shirt to harper.
60 Sinead // Sep 6, 2007 at 19:50
Bosck
I’m not really much of a Toon fan, when I say that, they’re not my first team, but I like them but looking at how some of ye “fans” are talking about Given, who if he had any sense should have walked years ago. I don’t know anymore. If he’s still put on the bench in the next game and then the next then he should walk. It’s just not logical that a better keeper sits on the bench after everything he’s done for the club. I don’t care how loyal Harper has been. The truth is that I don’t believe for a second that he would of stayed if a club like Arsenal wanted him.
But the way some of ye are talking about Given’s a joke. Ye wouldn’t even be in the Championship if Given hadn’t been there with ye. Ye are so blind to that though, it’s allways annoyed the hell out of me that ye always took him for granted. Always even if ye say ye don’t I actually don’t think that ye realise how lucky ye are.
Those of ye who think Harper is just as good or Given’s only a small bit better are kinda delusional.
Ye, admit it or not, most of ye think that ye don’t need him anymore, because ye’ve played a couple of games and haven’t lost. Ye think that ye don’t need him anymore. So why not sell him and get a striker eh??
This is from another article and I think that it’s the real reason why Given isn’t playing….
“Given is one of the best in Europe, and for the past couple of years I have believed that if Harper was getting regular first-team football he would have a chance of playing for England.”
Em, anyone see the hidden agenda in there??
If things keep going the way it’s going, then Given will be gone by the end of the season. And the way some of ye are acting and the new found “confidence” or should I say cockiness of the club, he’s better off.
61 Sinead // Sep 6, 2007 at 20:02
I don’t mean that about all Newcastle fans, some are grand but like, come on..
Bosck nobody wanted Harper, I don’t think ye would of stayed if someone like Arsenal or a list of top clubs he would have left. Given though, he did have offers, he’s one of the best keepers in Europe and yet he chose to be loyal and stayed behind one of the worst defences in England. He’s given so much to the club like and he’s the patience of the saint to stay there.
62 WelshWizard // Sep 6, 2007 at 20:26
@ Sinead
Given is the best keeper in the EPL and one of the top keepers in Europe but the way you talk about him and dis the Newcastle fans makes me wonder, “Are you his Mother”
Have you actually read what he’s said on our official site today, doesn’t seem like he’s about to have “showdown talks”
63 Sinead // Sep 6, 2007 at 20:47
I’m sorry but ye actually can’t see it, ye can’t. Ya I read that. And the showdown talks thing is just the media messing around, winding everyone up. Maybe if ye weren’t so biased ye’d see how ye’re actually acting.
64 Jóhann // Sep 6, 2007 at 22:11
Really I´m I reading correctly? Sinead take you for example. Newcastle would be in the Championsship if it wasn´t for given. OH really? How did you find that out? Have you lived that life before or?
I understand if people like a player and support him but don´t be stupid. It´s obvious to see that Harper has less flaws than Given. Harper has made his mistakes. If you think about it, he comes into a big game with no support from anyone, does it really surprise you when he makes one mistake? And to talk about that damn mistake. It was on his left foot, don´t expect him to be perfect he´ll only learn from that. Next time he´ll put it to a throw in.
Given is a legend blabla. That infuriates me a lot when people say that. Legend for what? “Keeping us in the championsship haha” He was as much of a part of that “Titus Bramble” defense as any. He isn´t commanding enough, vocal enough or trusty enough. Given has good positioning and reflex saves. But when the ball is heading for the corner, no way given is gonna get there. Trust me you will see this better in the future. You So called blind given fans will see when Harper gets his run why results go for the better. Not because Bramble is gone, it´s simple because we have a better keeper. And when Tim Krul comes in goal who is one of the best potential keepers I have seen then we´ll see a true world class keeper.
And yes some one was angry because Cech was called the best. Dude what you say is the other way around. Cech makes Terry look good and all of the rest of the defense. Why isn´t Terry as superb with england? Yeb I see you found your answer yourself.
65 Rich // Sep 6, 2007 at 22:14
I stopped reading Sineads ramblings after she said:
“I’m not really much of a Toon fan…”
I think we have all noticed.
And most Toon fans are like me, they hold Given in as high regard as Alan Shearer, both legends of equal status IMO, its just one gets more cover in the press because he was a striker and the press dont really splash top class saves across the back page.
Given = Toon Legend
Shearer = Toon Legend
i just hope when Shay retires at the ripe old age of 40 we will erect a bronze statue along side Shearer & Jackie, he deserves it.
66 Daithà // Sep 6, 2007 at 22:28
sinead you should really calm down. no need to read so much into things
67 Sinead // Sep 6, 2007 at 23:10
Jóhann
See you are one of many Newcastle fans who take him for granted. If Given leaves, (just say the press aren’t exagerating things) then I’d like to see you repeat yourself.
We did see Harper have a run of games and we finished lower then ever last year. Injuries or how bad the teams played never made a difference before when Given was in goal. And you’re actually dilusional if you think that Harper is better then Given.
I would love if Given played for us, but apparently ye’re too good for him. I’m not a blind Given fan but you seemed pretty blind, by the bias. Wow ye won or and drew 6 matches. OH..
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