Wayne Rooney’s opener yesterday marked yet another goal conceded that Shay Given has failed to make any impression upon.
Steve Harper had a great opportunity last weekend to add pressure to Given’s seemingly untouchable number one spot but was also beaten all too easily on four occasions.
Having been criticised for staying on his line too often and a lack of vocal organisation, it is now shot stopping, the one argument that Given backers had in their artillery that is now under scrutiny.
I am struggling to recollect the last time Given made a save when a goal seemed more likely (as Crossley did on at least five occasions last weekend). At the moment he is simply getting nowhere near anything.