Super Shay questions his form

By Matthew Jones
January 17 2003

Shay Given, who answered some questions for us recently, has questioned his own form this season. He admits that he hasn't quite found last seasons form just yet. Shay Given has however put in some outstanding performances recently and Newcastle are getting better all the time.

Shay Given admits that he is yet to match the fine form he enjoyed last season but says that is just part of being a top-flight goalkeeper.

The Magpies have lost just once in their last eight outings and have fired themselves into contention for the Premiership crown with a number of fine displays despite leaking some soft goals throughout the first part of the campaign.

Given was one of the main reasons for United's outstanding success last season with a string of fine performances, but the 26-year-old, who has conceded 48 of the 52 goals the Magpies have let in this season, admits this season has had its share of frustration so far.

"It can be quite hard," he said.

"Sometimes you come off and you've maybe conceded two or three goals, you haven't made any other saves at all and you maybe think you haven't contributed to the team's performance. But as a goalkeeper you get games like that. That's life, that's football sometimes and on other days you come off and you've made some good saves and kept your team in it - it just depends on the game."