Against West Ham Shay Given plucked a cross from out of the air and I swear the crowd went silent for that split second as they couldn't believe what they had witnessed.

Given is saving shots many other keepers would not get close to but the domination of his area is poor in terms of aerial ability and backpasses. Our record of defending st pieces has been abysmal all season so could it be down to Given??

Robson has dismissed Glass and it would seem that Glass's decisions to submit a transfer request has lingered in Robson's mind, could the same happen to Given in the summer?

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Answers

Only if Given shows signs of still wanting away. Harper would've been back in after recovering from his ankle injury if Bobby wanted to shut Given out. It seems like Shay has realized he made a mistake and has worked his butt off proving he wants to play for the club. I'd still like Harper to get another run and compare the 2. Seems like Harper's kicking is better, but can't remember if he's any better shot-stopper than Given.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Yes I hyad forgotten about that, having seen visiting keepers command their area whilst ours prefers to wait for the shot I was over the moon to see him pluck out a cross. If he keeps it up there will be few better.

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

So how much "training" is done in this area? If it is a weakness (and I believe it is - along with "general command") then it should be worked on constantly.

Maybe save yourselves answering - I think I know already :-(

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Yanno, I hadn't actually thought of that til you mentioned it, Screach. I don't recall ever seeing the keepers practicing kicks at CLS in my few visits. Anyone else notice it? Steph, you're there often.

Maybe they do that somewhere else?? They spend a lot of time with their coach, but it seems to mostly be on stopping balls thrown/kicked from 10-20ft away. Perhaps explains why our keepers wait for the ball to come to them? Or is that normal for keeper training?

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001

Actually, I meant catching crosses and becomming more "commanding". I remember some kicking practice, but that was in the days of Le Coiffeurre / La Coiffeurse. Nah - Shay and Stevie practice kicking too. But not as much as the Mackems ;-)

-- Anonymous, April 19, 2001