Shay Given Top Ten Goalkeeper

Magma · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:30 pm

REPUBLIC of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has described Magpies goalkeeper Shay Given as one of the world's best custodians.

Kelly, who joined the Republic's new-look management team on Monday alongside Steve Staunton and former Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson, made the comments at a Dublin press conference.

And as well as including Given in the world's elite, Kelly - brother of former Newcastle goalkeeper Gary - said the Magpies number one would be in the frame to take on the captain's armband for the Irish.

Kelly said: "The general consensus would be an outfield player as captain, but Shay is a strong character and you need that.

"If you've got somebody who is respected on and off the pitch, and is one of your main performers, then why not.

"Shay is also never too far away from the play, and as a goalkeeper you can see the whole picture, in particular defensively.

"If you've a solid defensive unit then you've a chance of winning the game, that's how I view it."

Kelly added: "He is a great lad, and the way he has gone on to become a world-class goalkeeper over the last few years has been absolutely amazing.

"He is at the peak of his form and among the top three in the world, if not at the top, in my opinion.

"When I look at the Premier League I would say he is the best there.

"I wouldn't swap him for anybody in Europe, or the world.

"I've always rated him very highly, and he has taken himself to a level where he is holding teams together. He is holding Newcastle together.

"In the last two or three years with Ireland he has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck and pulled us out of the fire."

Taken from nufc.co.uk.

Wot do you's think?

Conaldinho · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:35 pm

I totally agree, he was easily Irelands best player in the WC Qualifiers and without him we wouldnt have had a chance at all

Caz · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:54 pm

totally agree !

He is a fantastic goalkeeper and has never let us down.

supasimonwood · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:01 pm

made a canny save today off dickov like.

mazin reflexes but i can't help but think that his distribution is awful and as is his decision making in coming off the line from time to time.

Caz · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:47 pm

That was a fantastic save !!!!

that shot was going to hit the back of the net, could tell the way Dickov hit it . . . incredible save.

i'm sure that was the save which one Shay man of the match.

supasimonwood · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 12:46 am

well he did nowt else lol

toon-coyote · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:30 am

Absolutely brilliant save yesterday.Matched some truely fantastic saves he's made all the way through this season.He is our most consistant player and I think he is thr best goalkeeper in the Prem and must be in the top 5 in the world.

supasimonwood · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:33 am

Not as good as Petr Cech or Cudicini.

Caz · Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 2:36 pm

dont get all the hype about Cech . . . lucky if you see him have to make one save in a game . . .

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Shay Given Top Ten Goalkeeper

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