Keeper decision the hardest yet for boss
Published Date:
22 August 2008
By Miles Starforth
KEVIN Keegan says choosing between goalkeepers Shay Given and Steve Harper was one of the toughest decisions he has had to make since returning to Newcastle United.
Keegan handed Given a start against Manchester United last Sunday, and he will again be in goal for the visit of Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
The 32-year-old – who has put almost two years of injury problems behind him to return to full fitness – justified Keegan's faith by pulling off three stunning first-half saves at Old Trafford.
However, Keegan admits the decision was tough on Given's long-time understudy Steve Harper, who did not put a foot wrong during his run in his side late last season.
Harper had gone into pre-season hoping he had done enough to keep his place in Keegan's starting XI.
He said: "It was my toughest decision.
"Steve Harper, in a normal world, deserved to stay No. 1, because he had it for the last 11 games of last season.
"He did terrifically well, but I had to make that decision.
"All the others were easy, not dead easy, but the team we picked was the right team, and thank goodness the lads showed it was."
The full article contains 208 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
22 August 2008 3:29 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Blyth, Northumberland
