Several Newcastle United supporters have weighed in on the latest episode of The Chronicle’s ‘Unpopular Opinions’.
Speaking on the Everything is Black and White podcast, sports reporter Adam Musgrove said “Dean’s opinion… unpopular opinion… is that Shay Given was an average ‘keeper.’
The Irishman featured in over 400 appearances for the Tyneside club, keeping 125 clean sheets and conceding just 574 goals. He made 475 saves in the Premier League, taking 165 high claims, making 42 sweeper clearances, and completing a whopping 502 throw outs.
Given picked up more than 100 caps for the Irish national team before hanging up his gloves in 2017. He also spent spells at Manchester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City and Middlesbrough throughout his long career. The veteran shot-stopper is currently plying his trade as a goalkeeping coach for Championship side Derby County (Transfermarkt).
Unsurprisingly some Magpies were astonished by the “ridiculous” verdict, with one Geordie labelling it a “stupid opinion,” and another remarking “Dean’s had a nightmare there.”
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Take a look at some of the incredulous reactions down below…
https://twitter.com/gaztone90/status/1243314553804468228?s=20
Dean’s had a nightmare there mind 😂
— Steven Trueman (@StevieTrueman) March 26, 2020
@No1shaygiven is undoubtedly one of the most underrated players to play for Newcastle, it goes. Big al and then given best two players for Newcastle in my generation, Dean is clearly not ok
— Stephen Hunt (@stephenhunt1991) March 27, 2020
Was he hell. He was a legend
— Dog (@realhoundrescue) March 27, 2020
Possibly the most unpopular opinion I’ve seen about Newcastle.
— Phillip Applegarth (@rfnapps) March 26, 2020
Thats not a unpopular opinion, thats a stupid opinion
— 1892 (@As_it_is10) March 26, 2020
Given at the time was one if not the leading goalkeeper at his prime. An incredible player.
— ben willetts (@willetts_ben) March 26, 2020
Surely it’s between either Given or Dubravka for our best PL goalkeeper. So I definitely wouldn’t say Given was average..
— Dom. (@DomCottle) March 26, 2020
