Opta: Shay's Class Is A Given
Opta compare how Shay Given has performed against The Premiership's elite.
With Shay Given inking a new five-year deal with Newcastle United, the Irishman will more than likely see out his playing career at St James' Park. That will, no doubt, be music to the ears of both the club and the passionate fans, as since his move from Blackburn nearly a decade ago, Given has been one of the club's most consistent performers.This season, the glovesman has endured a tough season as Newcastle struggled under the direction of Graeme Souness. Since the promotion of Glenn Roeder, the club has enjoyed a change in fortunes, but through both the good and bad times, Given has performed at an impressively high level culminating in a place in the PFA's Premiership Team of the Season.
Compared to some of the Premiership's other top net-minders, Given has performed well, making more saves than the likes of Cech or Reina and posting a saves to shots ratio of 73 percent, only three percentage points less than that of Liverpool's Reina.
| Prem 2005/06 | Given | Cech | Reina | Lehmann | Robinson |
| Appearances | 38 | 34 | 33 | 38 | 38 |
| Minutes On Pitch | 3420 | 3015 | 2962 | 3420 | 3420 |
| Goals Conceded | 42 | 20 | 21 | 31 | 38 |
| Minutes per Goal Conceded | 81 | 151 | 141 | 110 | 90 |
| Clean Sheets | 13 | 17 | 20 | 16 | 13 |
| Saves | |||||
| Saves | 113 | 63 | 68 | 91 | 111 |
| Saves to Shots ratio | 73% | 76% | 76% | 75% | 74% |
| Mins per Save | 30.3 | 47.9 | 43.6 | 37.6 | 30.8 |
| Catches | |||||
| Catches | 47 | 52 | 31 | 93 | 33 |
| Catch Success Rate % | 98% | 95% | 86% |
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