Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear has warned Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp to save the price of a phone call if he intends to step up his interest in Shay Given.
The new Spurs manager, who has made a blistering start to his reign at White Hart Lane, has made no secret of his admiration for the 32-year-old Irishman, who has returned to top form after finally shaking off his injury problems.
With the Magpies currently in a state of flux as owner Mike Ashley continues the search for a buyer there is an assumption that some of their big names could be there for the taking once the January transfer window opens.
However, while Michael Owen, Nicky Butt and Steve Harper will be able to talk to interested parties in the New Year as their current contracts draw to a close, interim boss Kinnear is adamant that the likes of Given will not be up for grabs.
He said: "I can save Harry the time and money and tell him not to bother even picking up the telephone, because there is no way Shay Given will be leaving this football club.
"We want to build up Newcastle United and get good players in, not good players out.
"And why would he want to go to Spurs? This is a bigger club than Spurs."
That assertion may be debatable with Newcastle currently back in the Premier League's relegation zone as a result of last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Fulham, while Spurs have soared since Redknapp's arrival.
However, Kinnear is determined to address the situation by recording a third successive home win when Wigan head for St James' Park tomorrow, and Given will be a key part of his plans.
He said: "Shay Given has a lot of presence. All great goalkeepers have it.
"He reminds me a lot of Pat Jennings, who I played in front of for most of my time at Spurs.
"I have the utmost respect for Shay Given, as have most people in the game.
"He has vast experience and he is vital to us - and not only that, he is a decent fella."
Kinnear set tongues wagging today when he did not conduct his pre-match press conference, and asked coach Chris Hughton to speak to the media instead.
Asked if anything should be read into the 61-year-old's absence, Hughton said: "He has gone to look at a game. It is something all managers and coaches will do at certain times."
Kinnear revealed last week that he has started the process of identifying potential targets for January just in case he is still in charge.
He is currently operating on a rolling monthly contract with conflicting reports suggesting that a deal to sell the club is close, and conversely that the prevailing economic conditions mean that is unlikely.
The former Wimbledon boss has already thrown his hat into the ring for the job on a permanent basis whoever is in charge, and Hughton knows how much he would relish the chance of an extended stay.
He said: "I'm quite sure he would. He is very much enjoying being back in the game and everything that comes with it."
Defender Steven Taylor will once again be missing with a groin problem with Claudio Cacapa and Sebastien Bassong standing by, while England striker Owen may have to remain patient after his return to fitness.
Hughton said: "For Michael there are always two elements - first and foremost, he wants to be playing here, and then, of course, it is the opportunity to get back into the England squad.
"But the most important thing is to get back in here, and he probably could not have done any more to push his claim."
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Comment 1 - 17 of 17
Ok. So financially Newcastle are bigger, which is even more an achievement with Ashley at the helm! As for being relagated, I'm not so sure that will happen and to be honest I hope they don't go down.
From a personal point I believe a club's size should be rated on success on the field, not by how rich they claim to be.
Good luck with the relagation fight, I have a feeling we'll be in it till the end too! Can't even beat Fulham!! Gomes wouldn't get a game on Hackney marshes!!!
I repeat: yet again.
The Deloitte Football Money League 2007/08: (This is the WORLD'S Rich List League; it lists the world's biggest clubs (they're claim, not mine))
13th - Newcastle United, Turnover of 128.9 Euros,
15th - Tottenham Hotspur, Turnover of 104.5 Euros.
In business terms, this official list proves that Newcastle United is at this moment in time, a bigger business than Tottenham Hotspur, its annual turnover is greater, thus making it a bigger business. . . . . . ergo, a bigger club.
This is indisputable, it is a fact. I am not in any way, shape or form disputing the fact that Tottenham Hotspur is a more successful club, i cannot and will not dispute that, BUT in terms of overall business size . . . the facts, as shown above, state unequivocally that Newcastle United is the 13th Largest club in the world and Tottenham Hotspur is the 15th. What people must remember is that there is a big difference between Big Club, and Successful Club - they are two separate debates. Newcastle united is a Big Club, but a tiny, miniscule, blot on the landscape club in terms of success. Good luck Spurs for the season, and hopefully NUFC will be promoted back to the EPL within 2 seasons.
Cameron. I stand corrected, you are right they did win the league 4 times last in 1927..... However, Attendance and you point of view does not make you a bigger team in terms of success as a club, trophies do that. Sorry mate, it's a total tally, you ain't close. I don't have a problem with geordies loving their club through thick and thin. Just be real about where you are as far as achievements.
A parting thought.... 2 sunday league pub teams play, 1 has won the league more than the other yet the other has more of a fan base. Who is the more successful team?
How many fans / supporters has turned up since 1968 to see you win absolutely nothing! Yes Geordie fans are great and turn out in huge numbers every week but come on..
Serial under achievers..
Football is about winning, not how many fans turn up to see you lose....
T.H.F.C
I repeat:
The Deloitte Football Money League 2007/08: (This is the WORLD'S Rich List League)
13th - Newcastle United, Turnover of 128.9 Euros,
15th - Tottenham Hotspur, Turnover of 104.5 Euros.
This is a fact people - Newcastle United is OFFICIALLY a bigger club than Tottenham Hotspur.
Don't you people even read; we are not debating how many trophies won or how successful the TEAM is, we are debating the size of the CLUB. If it were a case of winning trophies, then Blackburn Rovers (having won the Premiership) are bigger than both Newcastle and Tottenham.
And the reason why Newcastle United were on live TV more than any team outside the Top-4 is simply supply and demand; Newcastle's massive national fan-base denads it and Sky and Setanta supply it.
It's good to see Kinnear has a sense of humour as well as a foul tongue. The only possible case I can see for Newcastle being a bigger club is the fact they have 4 league wins to our 2. When you consider their last was in 1927 that makes ours look like yesterday! LOL. We've won more F.A cups, league cups and european trophies. Once our stadium is complete we'll have a bigger ground too. And who said Newcastle are bigger because they were on TV more last season? Clutching at straws or what!
And one more thing MARK S:
Nine times in Europe in last 15 years and twice in the Champions League proper, once progressing through to the 2nd Group Stage.
Now i just dare you to come on here and tell me about Tottenham's last 15 years in Europe, especially all their Champions League campaigns, 'cause i must've missed those.
AND FINALLY:
Last season Newcastle United were on live TV even one game more than title challengers Chelsea, and five more than any other team outside the top four, the next being Tottenham.
Now tell me, why is that?
MARK S:
Newcastle United have won the league FOUR TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!
Runners up in the Premier League - TWICE, as recently as 1995/96, 1996/97!!!!
The Deloitte Football Money League 2007/08: (This is the WORLD'S Rich List League)
13th - Newcastle United, Turnover of 128.9 Euros,
15th - Tottenham Hotspur, Turnover of 104.5 Euros.
Average attendance 2007/08
Newcastle United - 3rd - 51,122
Tottenham Hotspur - 10th - 35,931 (quite pathetic really)
Now look you silly person, if you want to debate with me then fine; but please get your facts right okay and be warned . . . . . you WILL lose!!!!!
Tottenham Hotspur are a smaller club than Newcastle United - Fact and end of!!!!
And i repeat, Shay Given will never, not in a million years, be joining Tottenham Hotspur. . . . . got it! Like i said, i like Tottenham fans but please mate, don't come on here telling fibs okay!
Stephen Jones, just because you have more people with nothing better to do on a saturday than we do, does not make you a bigger club. I would ask if you sell out european games like we do, but you wouldn't know as your never in europe! One word - Achivements! See below...
i really like spurs and there fans but they are not and never will be as big as the toon end of story!!!!!!
Newcastle bigger than Spurs, WTF? I don't think so, here's the proof!
Have they won the double? Spurs - 1, Newcastle - 0
Have they won the league? Spurs - 2, Newcastle - 0
How many FA cups have they won? Spurs - 8, Newcastle 6 last in 1955!
How many League Cups? Spurs - 4, Newcastle - 0.
How many European cups have they won? Spurs - 3, Newcastle 1 1968!
Have you done anything in the last 5 decades?????
I rest my case. The only reason Necastle is considered a 'big' club is that Sunderland are their nearest 'top' (and I use that phrase loosely) team and they are up and down like a yo-yo!
Come on Shay join the 'Arry revolution so we can get rid of that plonker Gomes, crumbs he's making Paul Robinson look good!
fans you may have geordies but trophies you do not !!!!!!!!!!
The heart of a @?!$ Newcastle defence. If I was Harry I would buy its one constant member for 11 years. Go on Harry, stick a bid in!( This is tongue-in-cheek as I have nothing against Harry or Spurs (or other small clubs!))
Newcastle United is a much bigger, more historical, more successful and more globally recognisable club that Tottenham . . . . and that is a fact. In all my travels around the world, i have never, not once seen a Spurs replica shirt; that tells me a lot that does. Shay Given will never in a million years join Spurs so don't get too excited; however, i wouldn't bet against him joining the daytrippers at manchester united. Don't get me wrong people, i like Spurs an awful lot, always have done and i like their fans (well most of them) but please Spurs . . . . . know your place huh - what on earth makes you think you can just ask the Toon for their Number One asset, arrogance personified(and very much misplaced arrogance at that)!
What has Newcastle won?
Comment 1. Sorry to burst your bubble, but Newcastle have always been and always will be a bigger club than Spurs. Tradition shows it, history shows it and current standing shows it, Current capacity for Newcastle 51,000! Average gate 48,000! Spurs capacity 38,000? Average gate 36,000! Spurs, like Chelsea, are a fashionable LONDON club. But thats all! Lots of hanger-on type supporters, but not true football fans like Newcastle! And admit it, it must have hurt that the comment came from an ex-Spurs player of some standing?
Newcastle a bigger club than spurs? I think not...
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