Goalkeepers may be the difference between winning and losing this February

February is a make-or-break month in the course of the European season, with teams quickly getting submerged in the deep-end of domestic and international campaigns. The Champions League returns at the knockout stages, whilst in England the big-boys go head-to-head to determine the destination of the Premier League title. Fans investment in football tickets can quickly become a waste of money if your goalkeeper does not play to the highest standard.

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Shay Given’s ‘nearly-man’ tag looks set to stick

Matt Le Tissier is widely regarded as the most well known Premier League player whose loyalty to his beloved club as well as a lack of ambition cost him further honours both domestically and internationally that his talents perhaps deserved.

But goalkeeper Shay Given may well become the 21st century example if he looks back on his impressive but ultimately trophy less career in a few seasons time.

Irish international Given is set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury and therefore it appears his brief flirtation with Manchester City is over.

The 34-year-old signed for the Blues in January 2009 with a desire to win trophies. At that stage Newcastle were on their way down to the Championship while City were busy collecting any player who commanded a sizeable transfer fee in order to demonstrate their new found financial strength.

Despite accusing the Magpies of not doing enough to keep him the Newcastle supporters wished Given well as he had given them 12 years loyal service and stuck with them through thick and thin in the hope they would win a trophy.

But in the end, with his years advancing, he took the gamble to jump ship to City. Unfortunately it hasn’t really worked.

Not only have City failed to win a trophy their spending should really command but Given is now second choice to Joe Hart, only making fleeting appearances in the cups this season. Plenty of people will be considering placing a football bet on City to win the FA Cup this season, but even if they do Given won’t be part of the team when it happens.

Goalkeepers can continue on until their late thirties or in Edwin Van Der Sar’s case into their forties so Given may still have time on his side. But his next move, possibly his last, is a critical one if he wants a few medals to with his vast collection of international caps. He needs to prove first that he is still good enough to compete at the top level – not easy from the substitute’s bench – as a drop down the divisions will all but signal an end to his hopes.

If he can then maybe he could end his career on a high and console himself with a quote linked to his nation’s most famous tipple: Good things come to those who wait.

Schmeichel’s class comes from the genes

Kasper Schmeichel once again showed his huge potential with another quality performance against the Arsenal attack in Leeds’ brave 3-1 loss in their FA Cup third round replay at a packed Elland Road. The comparisons between Kasper and dad Peter are pretty obvious; from the shock of blond hair, the constant ‘vocal encouragement’ towards defenders, the running up field in the last minute, all down to the sort of world class saves that make you drop your cup of tea. Read more

Schwarzer signs new Fulham deal

After plenty of speculation over the last year or so regarding his future, Mark Schwarzer has signed a new contract at Fulham to keep him at the club until 2012.

The former Middlesbrough keeper had been linked with a move to Arsenal in the last transfer window, but a move never materialised and Mark Hughes has now managed to convince him to commit his future to Fulham. Read more

Joe Hart continues to impress

It’s an interesting time for the blue half of Manchester. Not many City sides over the years could have taken a 3-0 hammering at home at this stage of the season and still remained joint second in the league. Read more

Green out to reclaim England jersey

Rob Green’s chances of reclaiming the number one spot in the national side have been handed a boost after his name was once again included in the England squad list. Since his blunder at this summer’s World Cup, Green was dropped from the team and then the squad. The West Ham stopper wasn’t even called up when Joe Hart was left as the only fit keeper in what was already a depleted department. Read more

Harper’s misfortune strikes again

Newcastle keeper Steve Harper’s luck finally changed a season and a half ago, after spending the majority of his career watching the action from the bench. With Shay Given moving to Manchester City, where rumour has it, the dressing rooms are paved with gold, Harper could finally call himself Newcastle’s number one keeper. It was a long road for Harper to get to be first choice, starting at the club in 1993 as a youngster. The 35-year-old has had to play back up for his entire Newcastle career, first behind Pavel Srnicek and then Shaka Hislop, before spending eight years in Given’s shadow. Read more

Keeper sulk will help no one

Before this week, what did you know about c? Did you know he was a goalkeeper? Did you care? Either way, after joining Javier Mascherano in a new and rather disturbing twist to football transfers, his could be the name that will see another ground breaking change in football transfers. Read more

Spurs stopper Gomes comes of age

Heurelho Gomes took centre stage for Tottenham this week after a dazzling display against Arsenal, but it could have been so different for the Brazilian keeper. Read more

An Introduction To… Vito Mannone

At the start of the season Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone was largely unheard of away from the Emirates. Now he is being classed as one of the best prospects in Premier League football, after a string of impressive performances for the Gunners first team. Read more

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