UK Football

photo: thetelf

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear is very upset over Manchester City’s bid for keeper Shay Given.  Manchester City offered £5million for Newcastle’s 12 year veteran keeper, which seems like a small amount when compared with a bid like £100million for Kaka, but how much does Newcastle really expect for a goalkeeper?  I understand Shay Given has been a vital part of the club for 12 years, but goalkeepers just don’t fetch a lot of money unless they’ve achieved practically legendary status.

Shay Given is a good solid keeper, but I think Newcastle will be lucky to get £10million at the most for him.  Kinnear of course couldn’t waste an opportunity to run his mouth, and was quoted as saying about the event, “Irrespective of all the money I keep hearing, they’ve only offered £5m, not a penny more.

“We think it’s personally insulting to probably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.”

I think that’s a statement with two goals.  One of which for Kinnear to maybe anger City and force them to make a higher bid next time.  And the second, to perhaps convince Given to stay on at Newcastle, despite his desire to leave the club.  But Newcastle need to face the facts, you can’t keep a player at a club if they don’t want to stay, so Kinnear would be better off spending his time looking for an affordable replacement.

Newcastle suffered another blow to the club with the injury of Joey Barton.  The bad tempered midfielder broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot, which will require surgery to repair.  Meaning Joe Kinnear will be without Barton’s services for at least 8 weeks.  A big loss to the club, as Barton is that battling midfielder every club needs.  It’s hard to replace a ball winner with as much tenacity as Barton.

Paul Robinson has had his red card rescinded for his horrid challenge on Manchester United’s Park, during Tuesday’s match.  And I call that a crap decision by the FA.  On the replay you clearly see Robinson dive at Park, both feet come off the ground, and Robinson leads with his knee straight into Park’s abdomen.  Robinson purposefully leapt into the challenge two footed to have more of an impact on the player, showing intent to injure.

If that isn’t a red card offence, I don’t rightly know what is.

photo: Austin Osuide

Not only did Manchester United completely dominate West Brom in the 5-0 victory for the defending champs, but United did two things no other Premiership club have done before.  Manchester United now hold the record for most consecutive clean sheets in the Premiership at 11, and Edwin Van Der Sar broke Petr Cech’s previous record of 1,025 minutes played without conceding a goal.  Manchester United appear to have finally found the form that has been missing most of this season.

Yesterday’s match also saw the returns of Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, and Park, all of which United had been missing greatly.  Park showed the difference he makes at the club with his brilliant wide right attacking runs, and tenacity to fight for the ball in front of goal.  While Ferdinand and Brown brought a level headedness that United had been desperately missing in the back four.

With Wayne Rooney set to return soon United are not only at the top of the table, but are also looking more ferocious than ever.

West Brom are a little angry over their treatment in yesterday’s match apparently, as they plan to challenge the straight red card given to club captain Paul Robinson in the first half.  But no doubt the FA will not only uphold the card, but maybe even add an additional match to Robinson’s ban, as there can be no question the challenge was extremely dangerous.  Ji-Sung Park had clearly won the ball, and Robinson lifted both feet off the ground as he dove straight into Park’s abdomen, knee first.

Dangerous play indeed, and ref Rob Styles had no other choice.  However, though I agree with the decision I think Styles brought the red card out a little fast.  I mean c’mon, he whipped the card out without even taking a few moments to think about his decision.  It was a straight red, but at least double check in your mind first, before sending a player off.

photo: thetelf

And, Joe Kinnear has accepted the probable future that Shay Given won’t be a part of the club for much longer, as the Newcastle keeper has been given permission to hold talks with Manchester City.  And City should buy him, as Given is a great keeper, and City desperately need someone to solidify their defence.  Newcastle are going to have to scramble to find a replacement though, before the transfer window closes February 2nd.