Shay Given

I'm sure I read somewhere that the pundits here are getting between €1k and €2.5k an appearance. Presumably more on UK channels.

Met Given once. He was an arrogant prick but we all have off days!

GoneToShowgies wrote: Anyone read his book. Just finished it there and it was a bit ... meh. Some good stuff on his youth career and growing up. A lot of the Ireland stuff you'd have know before and I'm not a big PL fan so found myself skipping some pages. He is obviously a private person. There was nothing about his current private life but loads about plenty about him growing up.

Yeah I read most of it. Skipped some of it as wouldn't have interest in some of it.  He said nothing interesting and basically didn't come across that well.

The bit that really annoyed me was him sneaking off to the German Team hotel at the 2012 Euros the day before the Croatia match to get treatment off his left knee and siad he couldn't jump off it. Yet the next day Croatia scored a slow motion header to Given's left and was obvious he wasn't fit.  yet he says he would do the same thing again.  Look we all know he was desperate to play but that was stupid and to then go on and defend his decision just came across as selfish.

mandrake wrote: well we know he would do anything to play, like come back from retirement ... this has all clouded out judgement on him, great keeper for us in his prime.... I suppose not every irish player has to be a 'great lad'

Given used to be one of my favourite players and was the best keeper we had. I was happy he wanted to play for his country but I was really pissed off with him for Euro 2012 and lost a lot of respect for him as I think it was selfish.  Yes we have had McGrath play injured but its a fine line to walk and he did the business unlike Given.  In fact he probably had his best game for Ireland in Giants stadium that day.  Given had a stinker of a tournament and 3 or 4 goals could have been prevented with a fit keeper.

Then coming back was just daft. This was over 2 years since  Trap told him he wanted to give the younger keepers a chance.  I noticed in his book not a word was given to David Forde.  He said when he came back he knew it would be tough and he would have to fight for a place with Randolph and Westwood. This despite the fact Forde was number 1 and playing well!  He mentions loyalty in his book and that keepers look out for each other.  Yet when Forde was disgracefully left out of Euro 2016 he never went to say hard luck etc .  Given was totally undeserving of a place at Euro 2016.

It was selfish from Given but the blame lies solely with the management team for the decision to play him during the tournament.

Roberto Baggio wrote: Jaysus Given was horrendous in those Euros How the medical and management team passed him fit to play is amazing

I might read that part again but I think he had the goalkeeping coach and team doctor keep quiet about it.  The keepers train on their own usually too. Plus I'm sure Trap wanted him and if he said he was fit that was good enough for him.

Who would have played instead of Given at the Euros if he had been honest about his fitness?

1874eire wrote: Who would have played instead of Given at the Euros if he had been honest about his fitness?

Probably Westwood although he hadn't been getting his game for 6 months prior under MON at Sunderland I recall. 

Newryrep wrote: BabbsBalls wrote: I’ve got more respect for David Forde than Given. Leaving Forde out of the Euros for Given was nothing short of criminal by the management. Always likes forde thought he was hard done by

A great guy . He did very well for us overall and regardless of how it ended he can be proud of his time.

John Wick wrote: DUBLIN DOC wrote: John Wick wrote: BabbsBalls wrote: I’ve got more respect for David Forde than Given. Leaving Forde out of the Euros for Given was nothing short of criminal by the management. Disgusting alright....just shows there's always a click. Clique apologies...grammer police