Fortress St James’s is key to Toon revival

Aug 17 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

NO matter whether they conquer Old Trafford today, Shay Given believes Newcastle’s hopes of long-term revival lie in rebuilding Fortress St James’s.

The goalkeeper — 11 years a Magpie — can well remember the days when United were near-invincible on home soil.

But 11 league defeats there in the last two seasons go a long way towards explaining their slide into lower mid-table mediocrity.

“For a couple of years, we were really flying high, especially at home,” said Given.

“For teams coming to St James’s, it was a bit of a fortress. Maybe we have to make it that way more this season and in seasons to come.”

And, home comforts restored, Given believes his dream of marking his marathon stint on Tyneside with silverware.

“I came here to win trophies and it has been disappointing that we haven’t,” he said.

“But I only turned 32 in April, so in goalkeeping terms I feel I’m still quite young and have got a good few years ahead of me.

“I’m hoping that one day we will win something at Newcastle and I still believe we can do, albeit it’s getting tougher and tougher with the top four getting stronger and stronger.

“I can remember when people were putting out second teams in the League Cup, but big teams want to win that one now as well. It’s getting tougher and tougher every year.”

And if Newcastle’s revival will happen on a player-by-player basis, Given — his form dogged by the injuries which forced him into a groin operation in February — is confident of kicking it off.

“Personally, I’ve always felt I could get back to where I was,” he added.

“I probably should have had the operation maybe a year ago or something but I felt I could get away with it or get through it. But I didn’t and had to succumb to the operations.

“But I do feel if my groin is right then I will get back to my very best. I have no qualms about that.”