Given would consider loan move

August 09, 2010

Shay Given

Shay Given is to discuss his future with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini next week if he finds himself on the bench on Saturday.

At a Republic of Ireland press conference looking ahead to Wednesday's friendly with Argentina, Given made it clear he is not prepared to play second fiddle to Joe Hart this season.

Hart was outstanding during a season-long loan at Birmingham last season, to such an extent that Mancini has refused to allow the 23 -year-old to join another club on a similar basis.

That has opened the debate as to whether Hart or Given will receive the nod from Mancini for Saturday's Barclays Premier League curtain-raiser against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

At the age of 34, Given knows his career for both club and country are on the line and that he has to be playing first-team football with one to further his longevity with the other.

"We will have to wait until lunchtime on Saturday when the manager picks the team to see who starts in goal," said Given, who has been linked with Arsenal and Fulham of late due to the uncertainty.

"Obviously I hope to start, but it's inevitable there is going to be speculation because I know Joe is also a top 'keeper.

"The manager will decide, and whoever he starts with you would feel that is who he would mostly want to play in the big games.

"If I don't start then I'll sit down with the club next week and see where my future lies, and maybe vice-versa with Joe, because we will both feel we should be playing.

"Ideally I'd like to stay at the club because it's a big club to be at, a very ambitious club with fantastic owners.

"I want to be part of it, which is why I joined in the first place.

"If I don't start I guess it's an advantage the transfer window will still be open.

"Maybe I'll go out on loan, come back and see where that takes me.

"But I know I'm at a stage where I need to be playing. I'm 34, and I've not got millions of years left."

Given fully believes Hart will start for England in their friendly against Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday.

That in turn would lead to its own pressures as England manager Fabio Capello would want Hart to be a first-team regular with City.

"There's so much stuff in England at the moment regarding Joe and the England goalkeeping situation," added Given.

"I don't know if that would influence the manager, you would need to ask him, but I do understand.

"I'm sure Joe will play on Wednesday, so the situation is an interesting one."

Asked whether he feels Hart will become England number one, Given replied: "Only if he's playing, which is the same for me because I need to be playing every week to be with the Ireland team."

How should City deal with their goalkeeping dilemma? Have your say.

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kevin cairns, morecambe (09/08/2010 at 15:31)

I would play two different teams,one in the premiership and other in the cup competitions,would be looking for the players not to play more than once a week.

Sam Haggar Lowestoft -MCFC-Marc Viven Foe No 23 will never be forgoten R.I.P (09/08/2010 at 15:37)

I think if Joe Hart gets number one which i think he will as i think he was City best keeper in pre season i think should let Shay go out on loan he is in his mid 30's I say he has only got another couple of seasons.

alfredo snodgrass, them there hills (09/08/2010 at 15:37)

why dont any of these players stay and fight for the jersey.first sign of competition and there off.its really buggin me now coz both of them aren,t as good as they think they are.

Blue Saturday, Manchester (09/08/2010 at 15:38)

I bet he would go on loan, he's probably on twice as much a week as anyone else would pay him.

Thanks for the loyalty Shay.

Close the door on your way out.

Shaun Goaters Magic Shin Pads, Manchester (09/08/2010 at 15:38)

Fight for yuor place Shay!

Helen the Bells swollen ankles, M40. (09/08/2010 at 15:39)

Given is the blues number one at the moment in my eyes, as I think keepers get better with age and experience. Just because Hart has had a good season at Brum and picked for England doesn't mean he should come back as Citys number one.
Both players should just play well in training and the games they get chose to play in and hope to get picked for the following game. We got Premier league, UEFA cup, League Cup and FA cup games to play this season which is a possible 60+ games. I'm sure both will get their fair share of hours between the sticks.

TheSaleBlue, sale (09/08/2010 at 15:40)

shay, there are plenty of games in the season, yoju will get your chance, personally i fink joe hart shud be no.1 but you will get games

ItsTrue666, shropshire (09/08/2010 at 15:42)

Goodbye Given

winopunk (09/08/2010 at 15:43)

What is it these Goalkeepers do not understand about Mancini's statement that neither of them are going anywhere that we need two good goalkeepers , the Club decides not youor Mr Hart we potentially have a lot of games this year and are not going to allow what happened last year to happen again, too soothe either your or Joes so sensetive egos if you want to play prove you are the best option but if you are not willing to fight for your place resign yourself to sitting on the bench, because I think the Club have been crystal clear that your staying for this season whether it suits you or not.

Johno CTID, Manchester Born and Bread (09/08/2010 at 15:45)

Its a shame but i cant see us being able to keep both because one is not going to be happy and one player not being happy is no good for moral and the team. Both keepers are good enough to be number 1 that's why one will eventually go i cant see any other solution

john kirkham (09/08/2010 at 15:45)

Go with Youth, Joe Hart is the future, he proved himself last year

Blue is the Colour, Manchester (09/08/2010 at 15:48)

Looks like one of them will go. Given will be very unlucky if he does not start as number 1 after the amount of points he got us last season.

I worry that this will be a sign of things to come, with players unhappy at not getting a game.

Looking at Chelsea and United, they have players who know they will not play every week, but are happy to be squad players.

We don't have that yet, but some players could be in for a shock once the first team is established.

Bobby Johnstone's left kneecap, Ex-Hong Kong (09/08/2010 at 15:49)

As Mr. M has stated, we need two top class players for every position. Look what happened last season - Shay Given got injured and our number two, Taylor, was also injured. We had to face the last few crucial games of the Premiership with a loan signing. We must avoid any repitition of such a scenario in the coming season. I do not know how talented our "junior" 'keepers are, but I would now be on the look-out for another talented teenager - a la signing of Joe Hart three or four seasons ago. Given, at his age, cannot afford to spend many months as a number two and Joe hart should surely start the season as our number one.

SkyBLUE in TORONTO, Toronto Canada (09/08/2010 at 15:53)

Shay and Joe should both stay - Joe Premiership - Shay all cups - And if Joe struggles - switch them - I wouldn't let either leave on a loan - Shay and Joe need to see that they will both get to play weekly in this system.

Gerry Gow's jockstrap (09/08/2010 at 15:53)

Let Hart & Givens slog it out for the No;1. Any team at the top needs 2 good keepers. Injuries / suspensions. Both are now coming across as cry babies. They are putting unwanted pressure on Mancini. He knows who he will play it is down to him. If he makes a mistake then its on his shoulders. Hart was good at Brum but who is to say he is ready for the top. Fans say Givens does not come off his line. I believe with 2 good centre halfs. A keeper should not have to come off his line. But that is only my view. I will back who ever is between the posts.

adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (09/08/2010 at 15:53)

Not another player wanting out on loan!! I`m thinking of a loan move. Wonder if the missus`ll lend me a fiver? Here`s a little ditty to the tune of "Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite" by the Beatles. (Mr MEN Moderator, please keep it in tjhis format so it can be easily read. many thanks)

For the benefit of SAF
There will be a dodgy ref
When City play
The London lot will all be there
Norwich scarfs waved in the air
On Derby Day
Having Fergie Time as understood
The red fans shout handball when nowhere near
And the ref plays for them like he did last year

Those dedicated glory boys
Will jump about and make a noise
They always do
They claim to be the greatest team
But Barcelona say they dream
Madrid do too
When Fergie packs it in and quits
I`ll bet success will quickly turn to tears
And their glory days won`t come again for years

The celebrated SAF
Chews gum and likes to eff and jeff
He`s quite a guy
But what a manager he is
He really knows the football biz
Oh my oh my
It`s thanks to him the reds succeed
He`s a Mister Motivator without doubt
So they`ll find it hard when Fergie`s not about !

Stu in Florida, Melbourne (09/08/2010 at 15:58)

I'm getting tired of hearing about players that either play first team all the time, or want out. How about putting the team first? You know, the one that pays your ridiculous wages?

All players know that we want two top players for each position, which also means that they know and accept rotation.

The solution is simple: he is under contract and we don't allow him to move anywhere!

Faishcakes, Chorlton (09/08/2010 at 16:00)

Hart is better with crosses and Given is the better shot stopper.

Play hart against big (tall) teams, Villa, stoke, Blackburn etc and play Given against passing sides, Arsenal, West Brom, etc

I think this is a very nice dilemma to have!

paul woodhouse, gorton (09/08/2010 at 16:00)

the pair of them want to grow up and fight for their place. it's not as though they wouldn't be playing in games. because you can bet one of them will be in for the league. and the other for the cup competitions... they are signed up for city. we pay their wages, stuff them. tell them they are going nowhere. they arn't going out on loan
fight for their place. like every other city player has to...

blueballs (09/08/2010 at 16:01)

I think we should keep both our best keepers and let them play it out for top dog. I still can't decide which is the better keeper. Obviously Shay is the more experienced and mature head and asserts himself a bit better amongst the other players, but JH has got youth on his side and has he got the edge in terms of speed and reach? If I was Mancini I'd play them alternate games to begin with. If one puts in an outstanding performance or keeps a clean sheet they play the next game. If not it's over to the other and so on until the better goalie prevails. If Given went out on loan how confident would we feel with Stuart Taylor as back up if Joe were to get injured with all the games we'll be playing?

Blue is the Colour, Manchester (09/08/2010 at 16:02)

adders, Co.Cavan ex Manchester (09/08/2010 at 15:53)

Regarding your 'ditty', please don't.

thanks

Blue is the Colour, Manchester (09/08/2010 at 16:05)

This idea of 2 top players for every position, thats 11 'top' players who are not first teamers - it won't work.

The only type of 'top' player who will be happy to warm the bench will be a mercenary, and we already have a few of those!

Trumpton Blackshirt, Tameside (09/08/2010 at 16:06)

Loaning a quality player to a rival...makes great sense...

paul woodhouse, gorton (09/08/2010 at 16:09)

i'd just like to announce my retirement from the england national squad.
after much consideration, and talks with my family, i have decided to concentrate on trying to win back my place in the team of my local pub- the garibaldi.
and making time to go and watch man city..
i would like to thank Mr capello. for keeping me in mind throughout his career as england manager. although never having picked me. i still know i was in his thoughts.
and wish him and the england squad all the best for the future....

Dibble (09/08/2010 at 16:10)

Everyone in the press just love Given "he's been the best keeper in the PL for several seasons Etc."

Not sure I totally agree, he's a great shot stopper but his distribution is poor at best and he doesn't handle crosses at all

If he doesn't want to fight for his place in the team, make him train with the kids before loaning him to another PL team. unless its one near the bottom (send him back to the toon).

defo don't loan/sell to gooners

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