Call me biased because I'm a Newcastle United fan, but the fact that I'm a Geordie and proud might actually help me in my clarity of this statement.
I believe Shay Given is the best keeper in the Premier League.
Better then Edwin Van der Sar and Petr Cech, surely I'm bonkers. These were the top two, Man United and Chelsea's last lines of defense in successful seasons. That's right, in my mind Cech only ranks as number four and Van der Sar deserves no mention when it comes to the current best.
Given's only true rivals for the number one spot are Jose Reina and Brad Freidel. These are the keepers who time and time again keep Newcastle, Liverpool, and Blackburn afloat and in contention for their respective goals.
But here is why I rate Shay Given as the Premier League's current best.
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He has an unbelievable shot stopping record, and often keeps out those efforts destined for the goal. Examples of this would be his save against Kevin Phillips which was voted the second best save ever of the Premiership era.
He is a steady pair of hands from crosses and hardly lets the ball drop from his hands. He used to have a problem controlling his six yard box but recently he has become better at this aspect. Hardly nowadays is Given beaten by a close range header.
Here's another reason: Given has kept Newcastle afloat during all the bad years when our defense was nonexistent. The days of Shearer's knee injuries meant no attack was in place and often I feared for the worse and I have to feel that Cech would not have had the bottle to keep top-notch performances going during a crisis.
Given's kicking from ground has often been criticized, but that out of hand is unbelievable. Like his control of the six-yard box, his kicking has improved greatly.
Shay Given was heavily linked with a move to United before Van der Sar arrived at Old Trafford. He was also linked to Arsenal before Lehmann got the job but the fact he didn't leave was his refusal to uproot his family. Maybe not United but definitely Arsenal's loss.
In my view, Given would do an equal if not better job than all of the top four keepers at their respective clubs.
So in my humble opinion, the Premier League's current number one is Shay Given.
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about 1 month ago
Everyone to their own opinion but we have jot really missed Given since his injury, Stebve has just sat in the back ground and stepped forwards when the call came.
I will agree that Shay is a class shot stopper but I feel that Steve is a better all round keeper and controls his back four better. So in my eyes until proven otherwise he is second only to his team mate.
I do agree with you about Cech and Van De Sar they look better because of what they have in front of them, this season big Brad has been head and shoulders above them two.
about 1 month ago
Lets hope last seasons injury problems are behind him, although Harper is a more than capable deputy.
Super Shay has been a consistent and loyal servant to NUFC and deserves a real special testimonial.
about 1 month ago
Harper should be number 1 now. His qaulity displays last season don't deserved it be brushed aside. He has earnt his place and should be starting against man utd!
about 1 month ago
Best keeper in the Premiership? Sorry but there's no way. Maybe at Newcaste he's the best, but not in the entire EPL. I will admit that I think he is a good goalkeeper. He's reliable, and as you said consistent, and if it weren't for him Newcastle would probably concede a lot more goals than they do.
For instance, when Manchester United beat them 6-0 in January, Given was absolutely fantastic in the first half and somehow kept the score level at 0-0. He wasn't neccesarily bad in the 2nd half but there wasn't much he can do to stop any of the 6 goals United scored. The defense can take the blame for that...
about 1 month ago
i agree, he certainly has not had the defence in front of him those others you mentioned have, and they are rated as better keepers when realistically they don't really have to demonstrate all that much ability. his game has definitely improved and will continue too.
about 1 month ago
I am Irish and watch Given a lot, but best in the league? Come off it. Newcastle's defense was rubbish last season, and when a keeper is constantly being pelted with shots he will pull off some wonderful saves. However, it is the top keepers (vdS, cech, etc) who have the concentration to watch their team dominate the game, then pull of the save to keep it at one nil. Remember Kuzczak (sp?) at west brom for instance?
Looked amazing but now in goal for united he often fluffs crosses etc. Given is up there, but certainly not the best in the league. And I'm not saying you have to play for a top club to be a top keeper either, David James was the best keeper last season no doubt!!
about 1 month ago
i would say that overall given is one of the best keepers the premiership has ever seen, due to his consistency over a number of years, but he is by no means the best at the moment, he would struggle to make the top 10 at the moment, and last season he wasnt even the best at newcastle!
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