The Sunday Sun reports that we could lose both Given and Distin in a war of nerves with both players over contract issues.

They reckon Given has not signed his contract extension and is singularly underwhelmed with the financial terms offered. Further, they reckon Celtic have made several recent enquiries for him, and that we could lose him to either Celtic or ManU unless we make him an improved offer.

A similar issue appears to underscore the continuing failure to complete the transfer of Sylain Distin. His Agent is quoted as indicating that he will sign for Liverpool if we don't make him an improved offer. The Club apparently have indicated that what they have offered is "it" - "take it or leave it".

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

Answers

I can't see Given going. Why would he want to? Newcastle have improved him quite a bit (kicking). He was in the PFA team. The fans love him. He is being classed as one of the best keepers in the world because of performances for the toon. He is getting into the Ireland team with no questions asked. He is about to play in the champions league with an exciting, youthful squad.

We have the best keeper in the league, In a few years time our CM's Dyer and Jenas will be the England CM's.

Bellamy is also young and would walk into the England squad. (If he wasn't welsh)

LuaLua, Choprah, £35 million to spend

We have the best manager in the world and one of the best stadiums.

From interviews I've seen with Shaymus, he makes it clear that he loves this club. He actually said that there was no reason why he shouldn't end his career here!

But I'm not sure about Distin. In Distin we have a CD that I'd be very happy with. Not many other Defenders I feel 100% certain about. So I hope we keep him.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

The thing is with Given, being Irish he would easily be tempted awy by Celtic if the offer was right. It's like when Shearer rejected Manure to move to his home-town club.

To be honest, I don't know what wage rates have been offered, but the amount of points he's won us this season he surely deserves a decent contract.

Distin would be a worry if we didn't sign him, but he isn't a world class defender by any means and with money to spend we can buy better. The plus point with him is he's only 23 and can be coached into a more able passer and become more comfortable on the ball.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

We shouldn't take Shay for granted. He is such a key player in the team the club should reward him accordingly.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

I noticed these stories in The Sunday Sun Clarky. Really hard to pass any comment. How true are they? Who gave the newspaper the info - the agents concerned? Are Celtic/Liverpool really set to make better offers to the 2 players? I'm sure our ability to pay must equal Liverpool and Celtic. Given to Celtic??? He would barely get the chance to make a save all season - he'd be mad to go there.

I think the stories are unsettling but hopefully bear little relation to what is actually happening in negotiations. Presumably these people dance round a set of numbers in a ritual fashion, agent stalks out and invents a higher offer from elsewhere, Directors capitulate or call the agent's bluff, in ever diminishing circles until finally an agreement is reached very close to what everyone thought it would be in the first place. Let's hope a good deal is struck for the Toon.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

Damn you Clarky. I was going to post this with the catchy little title of Given away?. I hope I don't have to use that one in future.

Wrt why he would want to go Jim - one word. Money. YBR may be the best manager around, but I reckon he'll be gone before Given hangs up his gloves. At Celtic, they have arguably the next best manager around,m who undoubtedly will be around for a lot longer. Add to that the fact that Shay idlised The Bhoys when he was a lad and has an (almost) guarantee of European football every season at Celtic and you can understand why.

To me, either NUFC have to grasp this nettle or we will lose the EPL's best keeper. Now, we do have Stevie Harper waiting in the wings, bt to be honest, I can see him being gone unless Given goes. But if this doesn't get sorted soon, then I could fresee the Mackems making a move for Stevie to replace the (soon to be?) departing Sorensen. Good goalies are hard to find (look how long it took Liverpool to replace Grobelaar) and can cost a fortune (Sorensen rated at £10M, Barthez cost £7M). How much would it cost to get a keeper as good as Given has been this season? Pavel may be a Geordie, but he ain't in that class.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

If any reason to pull out all the stops (no pun intended) to keep Given, just look at Ipswich, who after coming 5th, sell their keeper and plummet down into Division 1. Goalkeepers are VERY important, and none of the top 6 have a poor 'keeper. Seaman, Barthez, Dudek, Given, Cudicini and Martyn are all top class. Mattias Sereni is not.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

After the Charlton match on Saturday Distin walked to the Gallowgate End and threw his shirt into the crowd. I've never seen him do that before and seemd to be what several players on their last match have done (maybe Ferdinand and Ginola if I remember correctly). So maybe there is something to the rumour. I wouldn't like to see Distin go - good cental defender and full back, quick with a good forward pass.

Ho hum!

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

Yeah I noticed him throw his shirt as well which is a bit worrying. However, he is not vital to our side and we wouldn't miss him as much as Given.

Remember he is on loan and we have no divine right to sign him.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

I might be wrong but isn't the only reason why Distin haven't signed yet is because the transfer window is closed and we won't be able to complete the deal until the transfer window reopens after the season has ended?

I'm sure this also includes loan signings becoming permanent so it would indicate why no pen has been put to paper yet. If that is the case, these so-called journolists should be read up on transfer dealings to correct their misconceptions.

-- Anonymous, April 21, 2002

Distin wants to be ashamed of himself as a man if he turns his back on this club after we gave him a chance.....hopefully we aren't insulting him with our offer....

Why go to Liverpool and warm the bench when he's almost guaranteed to play with us?

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

Fair dos Gav, Distin wasn`t exactly some unknown kid when he joined us, he had been a regular at PSG - they`re not exactly Barnet. If Given goes we could do a lot worse than try to sign Sorenson. Stevie Harper is one of the better reserve keepers in the Premiership but I`m not convinced he`s good enough to be a regular in a top team.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

This Celtic move concerns me because I've been to Donegal - where Given is from - and believe me that is Celtic Football Club country.
Scotch footba but, bliddly shite, he should get his bumps felt

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

No Distin wasn't an unknown before he came to us but he was getting a reputation as a bit of a problem player...as long as the deal we are offering is a good one then I feel that he should owe us a small amount of loyalty...

Don't want Given to leave but how ironic would it be if he were to join Celtic and when they drop out of the scottish premier league the join the Nationwide? hehe :))

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

Perhaps the issue we now have to face is marrying the team spirit YBR has helped develop with the need to maintain key players and further expand and strengthen the squad. Coupled with the signs of the tv financial bubble bursting we probably have to be cautious with wage demands and not get carried away with the wealth that the Champions League will bring. ie we need to maintain a fair wage structure rather than be held to ransom.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002

Distin is big mates with Robert , and correct me if im wrong Robert was very unhappy at being subbed on sat , leaving the field and immediatly going down the dugout if he leaves then distin will not sign IMHO.

-- Anonymous, April 22, 2002