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Given has put in a written transfer request after not being recalled for the Spurs game.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Ahhhhh there goes his rattle
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Large turd flying towards desk-mounted air redistribution turbine.What do you mean, "He's been tapped up by Celtic"?
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
I see no difference in ability between Given and Harper, so once one gets in it's fair for them to stay in. Harper seems more comfortable with it though
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
If its true then sell him, we need squad players at NUFC and if Given wants to be NO1 then he has to get BETTER, for gods sake he's no Barthez and Harper hasnt really let us down.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Was just reading the piece in the Ronnie. Can't help wondering if it's just more press sh*t stirring. Doesn't seem in character for Shay, and it's not like this is the first time he or Harper have lost their place to the other due to injury. Bet there will be denials in the paper tomorrow.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
hohoho....this is getting fucking laughable!
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
If Coventry have any nous they will concede the toss to us on Saturday and stand well back whilst we stick the ball in our own net and all get sent off for swearing at each other.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Why not send some messages to his websitehttp://www.shaygiven.co.uk/index1.html
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Oops that dont work just copy it
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Absolutely unbelievable. If this transfer request is solely down to Given then I reckon get rid at the end of the season. Harper has proved he's as good as and the way Harper was dealing with the back passes yesterday was so reassuring.Harper has also recently proved to be as good a shot stopper as Given. So coupled with Harper's great attitude to being No.2 and his devotion to the club, I'd rather see him in goal.
On the other hand Shay may be just ill-advised and stupid to submit his request. In which case he should sharpen up a bit and realise the consequences of his actions.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Whoever leaked this to the press should also get their nuts/bits roasted in public as well, "no thought for the club" scum.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
What can you say? Very disappointing and insensitive action at a difficult time for the Club from a player who has only just signed a greatly improved Contract. However, this kind of selfish reaction is what we have come to expect from footballers these days.
He's an improving keeper, and I'd prefer him to stay, but if he's really serious about it I'd put him straight on the list at £7mm. If anyone wants him then, let them pay full whack for a 24 yr-old international, and I wouldn't accept a penny less.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
DB,I'm curious as to why your so upset with the 'whistle-blower'? Do the fans not deserve to be informed when one of our top players - and BTW one who has just signed an improved Contract - submits a written request for a transfer?
In all probability it was his Agent who blew the whistle - if he is serious about wanting away it does them no harm whatsoever for the information to be in the public domain.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Sorry Clarky, I just think in the current climate at the club, professional people would act with a bit more dignity than that. Oh how wrong I seem to be.With the Domi saga and an outstanding Goma wanting away, the last thing the club needs is talk like this getting out. Is nothing confidential nowadays?
If that's the way the agent wants it, hopefully he'll find out that it's no way to do business.
Bobby Robson and the board do not need this at this time and who could blame them for acting stubbornly and dumping Given in the reserves or lower. Nobody will pay us substantial money for Given so what's the point?
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
I have always prefered Steve Harper to Shay Given , I'll not be too upset if he goes.Both are aproaching the age where they need to be regulally number one . Shay Given dosen't want to lose his International place and Steve Harper will be thinking about getting into the England team. They are too similar in age , what we need is a decent Oldie, who'll not mind being on the bench and a decent youngster. Hopefully we'll get both and some change out of the £4 million that we should get for Given.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
I agree with just about everything you say DB - and in my business that's the way I expected people to behave.
Regrettably, football today is largely populated by greedy, self-centred toe-rags who don't give a toss about anyone else - 'self' is everything, irrespective of the wider situation at the Club.
Right now this is the very last thing Bobby or Freddie Shepherd needs. I'm very disappointed in Shay Given.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
This story is all over the usual web-sites and most of the 'comment' is based on the fact that we seem to be moving from one crisis to another, whether it be Domi, Goma, injuries, no Shearer, suspensions and now this.I hate to see the club in this apparent mess and it must make Bobby's job one of the most stressful around at the minute. It's all press talk until we get the statement from the club or Given, but I wish that is what we hear first - the facts.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Unfortunately DB, the communications/PR from the Club is generally so poor, and so tardy, that essentially everything has been subjected to intense media speculation before any offical comment is offered.I firmly believe THAT is what is culminating right now in the appearance to the outside world of a Club that is in total disarray - and it really is about bloody time they get their act together!
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
At the very least the club itself should be trying to mask over such things to promote a picture of harmony to the outside world and then dealing with these matters internally.When Bobby came to power it was deemed that Newcastle would have settled ship but as far as I can see we appear to be entering the Perfect Storm.
Coventry must be laughing all the way up the M1/A1 to a victory. Hopefully everything is not as it seems and we stuff them!
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Very disappointed in his attitude if this is kosher. Never heard a whisper from Harper all the time he's warmed the bench. Sell him quick if he wants to go. Very sad state of affairs given that he's just got quite a nice contract in his hands.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Not sure Given 'coming out' is that much of a problem in the current climate. Neutrals and other disinterested (or even interested, including me) parties will see it and just take the 'so what's new ?' reaction.Ronny has him spitting out his dummy cos he was left out of the Spurs game. so it might be that Bobby left him out against Villa to put him back in his place, although there are no signs that he was due to come back in.
Even if he's got only half a brain left, he'll withdraw asap. I mean, if Goma (admittedly, different circumstances) hasn't made any impression, what chance has he got ?
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
This is stupid now .. what bothers me is why are the local press trying to condemn us ? If ever there was a time to put up or shut up it is now ... the only ones who seem interested to me are the South American contingent ( mind there's been a few on here quick to slag them off too ) . So the french want away , the Scots cannit get on the park , and now the Irishman has had enough .. what the f ???? So it looks like only the English lads and the South Americans are keen to play for NUFC .. is that cos Berb speaks Spanish and English ?? That wouldnt explain Marcy's predicament tho would it ? Im sure Berb will have them all in for a good b*ll*cking today , and so he should ... i noticed yesterday he kept them in the changing room for a good while too ? Is there dissent in the changing room too ? Im not one to believe that there is a split in ranks again , but there's no smoke without fire .. what the hell is Given doing , him and Harper are best of mates / willing to pass the jersey on when need be . Grow up lads this is a team , not a game of individual one upmanship , n i'll tell you what else n'all , if Nobby hadnt netted that superb volley and single handedly created all that NUFC did yesterday we'd all be slitting wor wrists today . Not worrying times YET , but a poor result on Saturday and an exit from the cup next week and all the crowing will get louder from the Toon Army .. the next two weeks are crucial to the rest of the season , n no Dyer , Shearer and Solano in key games is troubling me :-(
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
>>>>the communications/PR from the Club is generally so poor, and so tardy, that essentially everything has been subjected to intense media speculation before any offical comment is offered.>>>>>At the very least the club itself should be trying to mask over such things to promote a picture of harmony
I think these might be 2 sides of the same coin. There is no point in the club trying to gainsay everything speculated in the press otherwise more attention is drawn to non-stories. This is seen as the club being secretive - I don't think the club can win here. There are even those who (laughably) expect the club to announce to the entire football world just how much Bobby is to be allowed to spend. If I'm in the market to buy anything I tend to plead poverty (which admittedly I don't find difficult to do!)
Harper has been 2nd to Shay for a long time and we've barely had a peep out out of him. His attitude is top class, he's a class keeper and if the Shay story is true then Shay can go - we need commitment not petulant primadonnas.
There is an element of disquiet in my mind re Domi, Given, Goma etc. Bobby is a team-builder and it's surprising to find so much dissent. Either this is just an unfortunate set of coincidences or there is a cancer at the heart of the dressing room that needs rooting out and destroying.
I tend to believe it's just an unfortunate set of coincidences (none of the disgruntled players are Bobby's signings)- I hope I'm right.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Why is everybody so ready to believe this?? It doesn't sound like the sort of thing Shay would do. He was out for ages last season when Harper was the no 1 and only got back in when Harps picked up an injury just before the Tranmere qf. No complaints from him at that time. I suspect Celtic or A N Other have been sounding out his agent. The Ronnie aren't helping by running a "who do you prefer" poll.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
If we look at Bobby's signings they have all, to a man, shown that they really are willing to play for the club.Bassedas, Acuna, Cordone, Lua-Lua, Cort (By coming back early to prove to the fans) and even more than most Kevin Gallacher. The attitude of these lads is the right way to build a club. Couple that with attitudes like Shearer and Hughes and it could mean that players who are not necessarily in the 'in' group feel so out of it they get seriously dismayed by it all.
Glass has had his card marked by putting in that transfer request and it wouldn't surprise me to see the same treatment being handed to Given if these stories are true.
Bobby is willing to let Goma go despite his qualities because of his transfer request. I feel Bobby only wants Domi back to bollock him and sell him. Marcellino set his stall out reputedly before the Roma match and subsequent injury problems.
Bobby likes a fully committed squad and those not committed to the cause are bound to be feeling out of the picture slightly as Bobby will always play up to his good guys, a natural reaction.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Apparently it is true, the following from the BBC site:"The board have told me that they will give me a decision later in the week and in the meantime I will train with enthusiasm," said the 24-year-old.
Given signed a new three-year contract with the club in September last year after he had been linked to a move to Celtic.
I felt that I had no other way of making the strength of my feelings known" Given believes that his early-season form would have merited a return to the first team once he had recovered from a dead leg which he suffered against Derby just before Christmas.
"I thought that my consistency in the 20 or so early-season games would have meant an early recall," said Given, who was a frustrated spectator again yesterday as the Magpies fought out a 1-1 FA Cup draw with Aston Villa.
"When this did not happen and no explanation was given to me, I felt that I had no other way of making the strength of my feelings known.
"It is nothing personal against Steve Harper, we are great friends.
"I appreciate that there are many players who would not have reacted in this way - but I am passionate and committed player, desperate for Newcastle to do well and show our supporters that we can compete with the best."
Well, then I say, splinters in his arse from the bench, or send him to Kingston Park. Obviously not a very committed team player. Sell the selfish man, and quickly.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
Get lost Shay. You're a decent enough keeper but your attitude is a disgrace. We don't need players like you.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
>>I appreciate that there are many players who would not have reacted in this way - but I am passionate and committed player, desperate for Newcastle to do well and show our supporters that we can compete with the bestBTW: THAT'S what's got my goat. DISGRACEFUL comment. Not desperate enough for us to do well by putting the club before yourself, obviously.
Reminds me of that line in Pulp Fiction: "You don't need to tell me how good my coffee is, i buy the f***ing stuff."
We don't need players who've got no commitment or loyalty telling us how good we, the fans, are.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
I said in the summer that we should sell him.sell him for 5 million, buy Matt Clarke from Bradford as number 2 for 2.5 million and there's still enough for a stop gap centre forward.
-- Anonymous, January 08, 2001
the half wit who reads the sport on Radio One this morning said that Shay had commented, "If I was Alan Shearer I would be straight back in the team".Not exactly harbouring good dressing room relations is he?
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
I'd flog him to Celtic as soon as they came in with a decent offer. Somebody mentioned Matt Clarke at Bradford and I cannot see a better English keeper who we can afford at the minute.Steve Harper has never made too many mistakes while filling in for Given so why not give him the No.1 jersey for the rest of the season? Only trouble is I'd expect Clarke to want first team football, but Bobby has shown that if you get in you have a chance of keeping your jersey.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
or you can email him on his UNN (uni northumbria at newc) email addy - was doing a computing degree a year back, don't know if he's still doing it though (I was on the same course)email is shay.given@unn.ac.uk
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Given has indicated that one of the main reasons for his transfer request was that he had been given no explanation from Bobby why he was not being re-selected.WTF didn't he just go and ask him then? Is Bobby that unapproachable or is Given being thick?
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
It's a funny one this. I have to say it smacks of poor man management by BR, not to have at least had a word with Shay before it was known that he was to be left out. On the other hand, it must surely have been entirely obvious to Given that Harper had done well in his absence, and couldn't reasonably be dropped.On balance, and given the brittle nature of these present-day immature soccer prima-donnas, I think it would have been proper and reasonable for Bobby to have had a little chat with Given about his rationale for retaining Harper.
Having said all that, if that is his sole reason for submitting a transfer request then it's about time he grew up and came into the real world.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
I sometimes wish all the players would bugger off, leave us alone, and we can select a Toon X1.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Come on people, we all knew this day was coming. Shay and Stevie are the best pair of keepers in the Premiership (although it would be interesting to hear what Leeds fans have to say about that), but they are almost exactly the same age. If they both stay they are doomed to fight for the spot for the rest of their careers. One has to go, sooner or later. Shay has played brilliantly this season, but I happen to think Harper is fractionally the better keeper, and is certainly the better footballer. So, sell Shay for the maximum whenever we can: get an auction going. We don't need to rush around for a replacement, Karelse can have the bench after Shay goes. But any replacement should probably be an experienced older guy who doesn't mind splinters in his arse. Typical isn't it? The only area of the pitch where we have two top-class performers (exept maybe right of midfield) and we can only play one. Ho-hum.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
All the more frustrating is that all this could have been avoided. If Bobby had approached Shay or vice-versa they would have sat down and resolved the situation.It is unfair to drop Harper after he has done so well but Given has done well this season and at any other club in this situation the No.1 keeper would be re-instated.
All very well having the best goalkeeping pair in the Premiership but a situation like this was always going to arise. It is only down to Harpers acceptance of the situation that this hasn't flared up before.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
I agree with Clarky, that if Shay is right that YBR did not speak to him then it seems that YBR has been a little remiss in themantoddler management department. Wasn't KK very upset like this when not selected for England by YBR? I suspect that many footballers suffer from easily wounded egos and it is up to the manager to nurse these problems through.Dan & DB are right to point out that we have the best GK pairing in the Premier, and it would be very difficult to keep them both.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Given seems to have a better reputation in the market place than Harper, whether we agree with that or not, so if anyone is going to go it would seem the sensible option to sell the one which would reap the most money for the club.At the end of the day whichever one we keep we have got a good keeper.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
I'm very saddened that this appears to be true, and that Shay flat out admits to spitting his dummy. I would think he should have known the situation without needing to be told. There's nothing new in one of them losing his place to the other through injury. Happened last season, was bound to happen again this season. Harper is at least grown up enough to understand that, even saying if he were dropped he was ready to get his head down and work hard to be ready for his next chance when interviewed before Spurs. That's the right attitude and he's obviously seeing his just reward.Can't see a way back for Shay after this one, however. And I can understand him wanting to find someplace where he's guaranteed games if he's to have any hope of getting his international career back on track. He has lost his place to Kiely because of the situation at NUFC. He was actually 3rd choice when Ireland played at tournament in the States last summer. Just wish he could have been a bit more dignified with his request. As long as we get a good wedge for Given, I'm quite happy to see Harper finally get the #1 shirt. He deserves it.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Harper will come out of this whole saga with his rputation further enhanced.It doesn't taketoo intelignet a bloke to realise that Robson wants players with Harper's sort of attitude, even if they feel they should be in the team. Unfortunately Given didn't have the nouse to realise this and more fool him.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
This whole fiasco makes me sad. When a player signs for a club he should be commited to a club and not throw his rattle out of the pram when things don't go his way. Steve Harper (IMHO) is a better all around keeper anyway, never afraid to put his body where most people wouldn't. He has been solid on the occasions we needed him, shay...not so much. This whole thing makes contracts worthless. If a player slaps in a transfer request then we should stop paying his wages, then they may think twice about it. If they don't play well no one will buy 'em. It puts the impetus on them to perform. As far as shay goes, I liked him alot, but if he doesn't want to play for my club then sorry kidda but F*** off
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Sorry, but to me, selling Given would be another nail in the coffin of our pretensions of being a big club. Incidentally - why is everything such a drama at NUFC?
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
If the lad doesn't want to play for us then what are we to do???
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Put our hands up and say "we should have explained why he wasn't being played". The thing is, no matrer how well Shola/AN Other do in the next months, Shearer will walk back into the isde without his bum so much as warming the bench. I can see Shay's point.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Dougal, interesting point. Is it because we as fans want and expect a drama. Nowt to do with us that Shay wants out of course, but to me NUFC has always seemed one big melodrama, turning some previously level-headed individuals into gibbering idiots. Ruud lost it, Ossie became a chain-smoking nervous wreck, Keegan turned gray, the Bald Eagle got exasperated and walked, Dalglish destroyed his reputation for managerial success. If I'd been Robson's GP I'd have had serious reservations about him taking on the job. Perhaps we'd all find a bit of stability boring?
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Dougal I can your point about shay and about how shearer will walk back into the team. But being realistic, how many of us were exasperated when he was on the bench? If shearer is fit he will play from the start, Robson would be lynched if he pulled a guillit. My own feelings are that we should be using shearer less and less, but as yet we don't have anyone to match him. In steve harper we have, he is better than given (in my book) I agree perhaps he should have been talked too quietly, however this is a grown up game. Feelings get trodden on (Manu paid 12mill for yorke and he still can't play every week.
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Teamtalk reckon Arsenal are interested in Seamus, seeing him as a cheap stop-gap solution to their goalkeeping problems.Goodness knows where they get their facts, but they reckon the Toon will accept £2mm for Given. This is very interesting speculation bearing in mind that the Board haven't even considered Given's transfer request yet!
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
>>>>Robson would be lynched if he pulled a gullitThat's going a bit far but he'd be arrested for sure ....
-- Anonymous, January 09, 2001
Matt Clarke from Bradford has thrown his hat into the ring by saying he would relish a battle with Harper if he were to replace Given at Newcastle.Harper has praised Robson for the consistency in his selection policy. The player in possession of the Jersey keeps it if he does well. Players normally moan when they are dropped for no apparent reason. Given should have known that he would be out for a while.
Clarke seems a good keeper.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
Wantaway Bradford keeper Matt Clarke is hoping that Shay Given's transfer request at Newcastle will earn him a dream move to St James' Park. Clarke is one of several players on the transfer list at Valley Parade after falling out of favour with new Bantams boss Jim Jefferies and last season he was linked with a move to Tyneside. Clarke's agent - while fiercely critical of Bradford's conduct towards his player - admits that the £3million-rated 25-year-old would jump at the chance to join the Magpies if they decide to cash in on Given. "Of course Matt would be interested in a move to Newcastle," said Ian Elliott. "It's a big club and it would not frighten him if he had to compete for a place with Steve Harper." Elliott added: "Bradford are trying to sell Matt because they won't give him the money he wants, even though he is one of the lowest paid players at the club. "He is upset because the official line at City is that he lost his place due to a loss of form, when that wasn't the case at all." Meanwhile, Harper - whose continued run in the Newcastle first team has prompted Given to request a transfer - insists he deserves to be keeping the Irishman on the bench. "In the past, the manager has kept faith with the keeper in possession and he's been consistent again this time," said Harper. "My run in the team was ended by injury last season and I only got in now because Shay was injured - but that's the way it goes. We both know that's the situation and as far as I'm concerned it hasn't changed." The club meanwhile are hoping that Given will reconsider his transfer request. Chairman Freddy Shepherd, said: " We're not going to discuss his transfer request at this stage, because it's possible that Bobby Robson may be able to persuade Shay to stay and fight for his place."
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
I'll admit I'm as concerned about the club's future as I was in Ossie's day. Who next for a transfer request? Nobby? Dyer? Griffin and Hughes?
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
I'm concerned but I'm not that concerned.Given and Domi are special cases and I must admit that I have thought about a divide but I can't see it really being there.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
Forget the Celtic connection ,O`Neil paid out a wad for Rab Douglas who happens to fill out a goal, thus relegating Gould to bench with Stewart Kerr as back up. Forget the the hoary old chestnut about his international career , He cannot use the no 1 fav of "the missus cannot settle on toonside", he is happy with the money, so he looks around at the compt >> Steve Harper >> who is in , unless he has a howler or suffers a injury will stay in thus Shay can visulize training all week, and sitting on the bench come Saturday, for family financial reasons some players can do that, Walker (Spurs) recent example, not so long ago England material, second choice to Sullivan!!This happens in the real world, I have more admiration for the person who says "stuff this Im offski" than the one who hings in for dead person shoes. The problem is the timing and the wording of the request , it sounds half hearted and feeble , as if mis-qoted or badly advised. Now if Shay had stood up and basically said, there is nothing between us ability wise , I prefer to be playing than sitting on the bench, I realise that the manager cannot give me that assurrance so it is with some regret that I have slapped in transfer request, Steve and the rest of the lads have my best wishes for the season, that`s it, no mind games , no dressing room factions, no rumours, in any emergency civil, military the numero uno problem that comes up in the hot debrief is invariably "Communications", with Newcastle this is and always has been a ongoing problem still to be addressed by senior management
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
I don't understand the timing on this. As far as I remember Harper played most of last season - why didn't Shay get p*ssed off and ask for a transfer then?
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't every big club use a squad system ? That being the case, how's Given going to guarantee he's first choice where ever he ends up, once the novelty of him being new at the club wears off ? Seems to me more like a frying pan into fire scenario. Bet he's sttihing himself now.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
Steph,The recent uncertainty about his International future. New contract. Straw that broke the camels back.
Pit Bill,
Keepers are rarely sujected to the rotation system. What clubs were you thinking about?
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
From TeamTalk, so believe it at your peril!Newcastle have decided to turn down goalkeeper Shay Given's transfer request. United's top brass will today tell the Republic of Ireland international to stay and fight for his place at St James' Park. That will disappoint several clubs - Liverpool, Celtic, Chelsea and Arsenal included - who were more than interested in Given's possible availability. Bobby Robson is desperate for cash and could have done with the £5million-plus Newcastle would have got for the 24-year-old. But he has pointed out to the United board that he would need most of that amount to buy a quality replacement keeper and would still be unlikely to find one to match the Irishman.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
De Builder man, top o the heed , England , Clemence/Shilton
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
I was referring to Club football.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
just testin, I can mind the goalies having a inner sanctum of their own where there always seemed to be one availible to help out a club in need, not large, about 8-10 members of the have gloves will travel brigade, Les Sealey, Budgie , Tomma Wright, Les Fridge ones I can remember offhand.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
I think it might have been a good idea to rotate the keepers. Not on alternate weeks but perhaps playing the other one once a month just to keep him fresh and give him something to look forward to. This kind of happened with the Worthington cup games, with Harper having those earlier in the season. Perhaps when another keeper comes in then it might ot be a bad Idea to use him once a month? As for the transfer request being turned down, of course they will say that, in order that the price for the player stays high, but the offers will still come in for him.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
DB
I stood to be corrected, and it was a squad in which goalkeeper was one of the positions, to which I was referring, the point being that if he did sign for another club, how would he guarantee getting back in immediately he'd recovered from whatever it was put him out ? As I see it, he's no better off anywhere else under those circumstances.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
To be fair to Shay, the keeper is in a very difficult position. The job is very specialised and only one keeper can play. Outfield players might be competing for more than 1 slot so it's easier for them to break into the team. A team might use 1 2 or even 3 strikers, more than 1 central defender, umpteen left backs if TSM is running the show, etc. Injuries and suspensions will constantly create opportunity, but it's quite possible that a keeper could complete an entire season without missing a game making it hard for the understudy to stay motivated. I still wish he had not submitted the request but I can empathise with the problem.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
On the face of it, it looks 'spur of the moment', but it wouldn't surprise me if quite soon, he tries to justify it further by admitting to having been thinking about it for a while. Either that or he'll withdraw the request.I find it hard to believe he's so immature that he'd let not being told nothing's changed as far as who's playing in goal goes, even though that seems to be the case.
The club have to make sure they don't overplay their hand and leave him with no chance to see the error of his ways. If they antagonise him, even though they've refused his request, he could dig his heels in and we'll have another brilliant public relations coup on our hands.
Don't you just love it ?
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001