By Tyne-Talk
April 15 2009

Former Newcastle United goal-keeper Shay Given has given his opinion on the appointment of Alan Shearer as manager of the club on a temporary basis. Given who jumped ship in January and moved to Manchester City for £6Million, believes that had he been given more time then Shearer could almost certainly have saved Newcastle, but time is running out and the job is now harder than ever.

The 32 year old who played alongside Shearer when he was playing for the club has sent the former striker his luck for the challenge ahead.

He said;

"He should have been brought in earlier to try and get some results.

It would be a real tragedy if they got relegated but it is getting very close to the wire. The games are running out and the results are not going so well. Please God Alan can keep them up and they can start to invest more in the team and have a stronger squad.

It is not easy to divorce myself from Newcastle. The last thing I want is to see them get relegated because they have such fantastic supporters. I spoke to Alan and dropped him a few texts wishing him luck. If anyone can have an effect and galvanise the club it is him.

It was a big decision to leave because I had been at Newcastle for such a long time. But it was an opportunity to come to a club who hope to take off in the next couple of years. Manchester City could have signed any keeper in the world, so I feel lucky that they wanted me."

Given: A Real Tragedy If Newcastle Get Relegated

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 15/04/2009 10:52

TyneTalk
15/04/2009 10:52

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Gallowgate Luke
15/04/2009 13:23

The clubs future in the hands of the players now.
THEY are the ones who can make or break us.

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OnTheLevee
15/04/2009 14:00

I agree with Luke.. It's character more than tactics that matter now.. unfortunately at the moment we have neither..

Carroll to start the rest of the season.. he seems like the only player in the squad with some mongrel.

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Dub
15/04/2009 19:30

Given didn't care too much about us when he jumped ship when we needed him most....feeling a tad guilty maybe

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Mighty__Mag
15/04/2009 19:56

Having him between the sticks wouldnt make much difference i dont think, dont think he has made a great impact at city yet, other than his debut game, and if the teams playing sh*t then its not gonna help, so dont really miss him,

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i!
15/04/2009 22:22

Should have @#$%& stayed and helped out until the end of the season then shouldn't you?


Get regular updates from one of TyneTalk's mintest posters, follow: [www.twitter.com] @adameverett92

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jamestoon
15/04/2009 22:50

yeah, he should've stayed. who the @#$%& walks out on their team half way through a season? a @#$%& @#$%&, that's who.

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lostmekeys
15/04/2009 22:58

he would do well to keep it shut for a while yet, i reckon. in the fulness of time he'll remain well thought of, unless he sees fit to pass comment on us while playing for someone else.
give it a few years, retire, then speak your mind if thats what you want, as a respected ex-player. for now, you are nothing more or less than man citys goalie.

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becksa09
16/04/2009 01:32

i still don't blame him for jumping ship, we are a lame excuse for a premiership team - but something tells me that he should have stayed and seen out the effort to keep us up, and then moved on to city.

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waffles
16/04/2009 05:23

I think the major issue is that Shay didn't make that big a trade up. He just followed the cash. Granted, Man City are now closing in on the top half of the table, but when Shay left, City was only one spot ahead of us. Yes, we had just come off the 5-1 thrashing by Liverpool, but City were not in form.


Let's be honest people, if Shearer left for any of the big four, Aston Villa, or Everton, would you still be calling him a rat?

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ToonBart
16/04/2009 08:42

Judas

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OnTheLevee
16/04/2009 15:20

I don't believe you, you're a liar.

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annie
16/04/2009 17:44

I have no hard feelings towards Given.

I agree with Gallowgate Luke, it's up to the players now, let's hope they'll put the work in.

OnTheLevee hits the nail on the head when he says we should let Carroll start, he'll be wanting to show what he can do.

On Sky they are talking about Viduka starting on Sunday, I hope that isn't going to be the case. 2 or 3 years ago yes, but not now.

C'mon the Toon

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MissC
16/04/2009 17:55

I hope Viduka does not start either

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becksa09
16/04/2009 18:24

i think that City will become a top 5 or 6 team over the next 3 seasons, they will buy their way into the top 6 but won't ever compete with the top couple od teams - certainly not while given is there, like next 5 years tops. I know exactly why he left, he had just given up on NUFC ever matching the fans and players ambitions, plus all the @#$%& he and the team has had to put up with recently - but that doesn't change my mind that he needed to stay until the end of the season, see us survive and then @#$%& off....i doubt he is making that much more at ctiy than he was for NUFC.

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lostmekeys
16/04/2009 20:40

wow, i really, really, disagree with those who wouldnt start viduka. this is a huge game, a chance to grab extra points ahead of the pressurised home games, and take some of the pressure off those home games. viduka is a real class act, unplayable on his day, and if shearer can motivate him for one more show he will not just get us a draw, he'll win this match.
carrol would be my second choice, but if fat mark is fit then get him on the pitch


whats that got to do with given, though?!

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becksa09
16/04/2009 20:48

Viduka isn't fit, hasn't been for about a year, he may well be fit enough to train but he simply doesn't have the fitness to be involved in a prem game, certainly not for more than 30mins top! he hasn't in shape for several years in honesty....im not doubting that on his day he is pretty good, but he isn't there right now. Big Al won't be able to get him going i don't think. I think he has mentally moved back to Australia!

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Magpie9
17/04/2009 14:32

Its rather annoying Given abandoned ship.

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tunyc
17/04/2009 17:34

Start Carroll, have Viduka on the bench. I think that's what will happen anyway. If Shola is in the squad I'll pull my hair out.

As to Given's comments, I can't but accept graciously any kind words anyone has to say about our club. And that's all this is.

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