So, that Arshavin deal was completed today. The deadline extension was to accomodate deals that were disrupted by the weather on Monday but Arshavin had been in London since Sunday night. Seems pretty odd.
Given speaks out. and at the risk of upsetting MBB, what does he expect to be challenging for with Man City? they are hardly light years ahead of Newcastle. I know they have money and that, but they are still a long way off challenging and need lots of work done. Portsmouth have won more than both these clubs in the last 20 years, but it doesnt mean Portsmouth are a big side challenging for honours. Realistically, if he wanted to be challenging for honours, he should have joined Utd or Arsenal when they were both knocking on the door for him.
Shay Given has criticised Newcastle United for the way they handled his transfer to Manchester City and revealed he was extremely unhappy with life at the north-east club for the last six months of his 12-year spell with the Magpies.
Given completed his move to Eastlands last week in a deal reported to be in the region of 7m in one of the most protracted deals of the January transfer window.
Given first signalled his intention to leave Newcastle last month when he released a statement via his lawyer describing how he had become disillusioned with life at the club and was considering leaving following interest from City.
The Republic of Ireland stopper believes that after spending over a decade at Newcastle, he should have been allowed to leave the club to challenge for trophies.
“I just felt that after I’d been there for nearly 12 years and the service I gave the club, then the regime at Newcastle could have handled the whole thing a bit better,” he said.
“They made me do things I didn’t want to do and this was an opportunity to further my career and pick up more silverware.”
He added: “In the last six months it has been fizzling out.
“It has not been enjoyable going into training. Maybe it’s myself just being selfish, but I think I deserved a little bit better than that.”
When he released the statement, which came after the Magpies’ 5-1 against Liverpool, Given said he had signed a new five-year contract in 2006 with the promise that Newcastle would be challenging for silverware.
With Newcastle struggling to stay in the Barclays Premier League this season, Given felt that promise had not been fulfilled and decided to move Eastlands to challenge for trophies.
“The Liverpool match was a low point in my career,” the 32-year-old said.
“It was one of those points where if I had left the pitch and never seen a football again I would have been happy I was that low.
“I didn’t know if I was going to leave but a lot of people said I was happy and settled which, I was in a way, but I wasn’t comfortable.
“I wasn’t comfortable with the way the club was going. I wanted to be challenging for honours.
“By coming here I thought I could be at a club that is challenging for honours. I didn’t want to finish my career regretting not taking up this offer, I’m an ambitious guy and I want to do the best I can in such a short career.”
Ian Harte was released by Blackpool and is reported to be on his way to St Mirren.
I see Stephen Kelly joined Stoke on loan from Birmingham in one of the late deals. Had he been a first choice at Birmingham?
[quote=“Bandage”]Ian Harte was released by Blackpool and is reported to be on his way to St Mirren.
I see Stephen Kelly joined Stoke on loan from Birmingham in one of the late deals. Had he been a first choice at Birmingham?[/quote]
think he might have been injured…not sure…is Murphy the lad that came from Hibs a right back?..
Yer man Murphy’s a left back.
[quote=“Bandage”]Ian Harte was released by Blackpool and is reported to be on his way to St Mirren.
[/quote]
Former Leeds star Ian Harte has decided against joining SPL side St Mirren.
Harte is looking for a new club after leaving Blackpool earlier this month after a short spell at Bloomfield Road.
As revealed by skysports.com, Harte held talks with St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson over a possible move to Paisley, but after some deliberation the Republic of Ireland international has decided against the move.
“I had a chat with Gus MacPherson and he said he would like to have me up there, it was a good chat, but that’s as far as it goes,” Harte told Sky Sports News.
“I am not signing at all. I had a good chat with the manager last night and I don’t think it is going to be the right move for me.”
Buddies boss MacPherson confirmed the deal to sign Harte had fallen through.
Disappointed
“We’re very disappointed as we thought Ian was joining us until the end of the season,” said MacPherson.
“He is an experienced player and it would have been fantastic to have brought him on board but unfortunately he has decided to look at other options.”
Harte is hoping to find himself a new club as he believes he still has a lot to offer.
"I have just turned 31, I have looked after myself, I am in good shape and I am sure I have got plenty of years to give
"I am just waiting for the opportunity and the way the market is at the moment I just have to be patient
“I just want to play football. I would be happy to play Championship or First Division football.”