Newcastle's Best Ever? He Certainly Is!

Last updated : 16 January 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Not that there was many to choose from, simply who was good enough worthy of the honour? Jack Fairbrother and Ronnie Simpson were long before my time, and who have we had since?

But at long last we have a star ... and Glenn Roeder insists he would not swap Shay Given for any other goalkeeper in the Premiership.

Roeder: "We know who the top keepers are and I respect (Petr) Cech, (Jens) Lehmann and (Paul) Robinson but I wouldn't swap him. Shay Given, for me, is the best goalkeeper in the Premiership.

"I'm delighted he signed a five-year contract at the start of the season. He loves Newcastle and living in the area.

"Our aim, for Shay and for everybody, over the next year is to improve the quality of the squad to give this great club a chance to win something.

"He's a quiet, family man. He's lovely to work with and is respected in the dressing room. When Scott (Parker) is not captain, he does it with pride.

"He's got presence, he gives players in front of him confidence. They know that if the opposition get through or they get shots away, there is every chance Shay will make the save.

"He's a modest man but knows he is good, and that is important."