da pinup bet： It’s funny how things work out in football. 18 months ago Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given left the club and the sinking ship in order to join Manchester City and a crack at silverware and Champions League football. Now England number one Joe Hart has won the gloves off the experienced Irishman at Eastlands and City manager Roberto Mancini says that Given is free to leave. As it happens, the same weekend Steve Harper, the long time number 2 to Given gets injured and is set for a spell on the sidelines. So could Newcastle swoop for Given and bring him back to St James’ Park or has the door bolted on his time with the Toon?
da bet nacional： Shay Given was a great servant for Newcastle United. The Irishman spent 12 years on Tyneside, saving the Magpies’ bacon on numerous occasions and earning plaudits more times than even he’d care to remember. The first name on the team sheet, the top performer; Given is one of the best keepers to ever play for Newcastle. How high he is held in regard in the north-east is shown by the fact that few Newcastle fans begrudged him wanting to leave when he did. I’m sure some of the Toon Army would be happy to see him return and a loan move away from City is one that tempts Given:
The question is, though, do Newcastle really need Given back? This may sound strange for a keeper who performed heroics week-in week-out, but now Newcastle have to look to the future and leave the past where it belongs. Harper may be out for up to 3 months as a result of his shoulder injury suffered against Everton, but that doesn’t mean that an emergency goalkeeper signing is required. In fact, the Magpies are well blessed for goalkeepers and it’s time that a certain Dutch youngster was given his opportunity to shine.
Tim Krul is one of the brightest prospects that Newcastle have. The 22 year old has been on the books at St James’ Park for 5 years and has waited patiently for his chance that now looks to have presented itself. First team outings for the Dutchman have been few and far between up to now, but when he has put the gloves on he has made a name for himself. His performance at Palermo in the UEFA Cup 4 years ago will stick in the minds of many fans, while he gave the Toon Army a reminder of his shot-stopping ability against Accrington Stanley in Carling Cup last month. From what Krul has shown so far he has the potential to be top class and Newcastle manager Chris Hughton shouldn’t stifle that any longer, should he?
The way events have panned out there were always going to be rumours that Shay Given could return to Tyneside, but I doubt there’s any more to it than just speculation. Hughton can rely on Krul who could be between the sticks at St James’ for a long time, while Harper will return before Christmas to try and regain his place and Celtic loanee Fraser Forster is also waiting in the wings. Whether Given would even return to Newcastle is far from certain, but it’s time for Hughton to place his faith in Krul and let the Holland U21 international show what he’s made of!