That’s the verdict and high opinion Joe Kinnear has of Shay and although we’d agree with the statement being as biased as one can be, it seems that more than just Joe and ourselves believe that Shay is consistently the best performer.
Shay is the only Goalkeeper to be voted twice in his career as the Players Footballers Association ‘Goalkeeper of the Year’ and judging my Shay’s 2008 season so far, he is by a mile back to his best and perhaps even beyond it.
Perhaps Goalkeepers do hit their prime first when the get to their mid-thirties, but Shay still has some maturing then to do!!! What we also like about Shay is the fact that he always works on his game and getting better at it. That’s a sign of a true professional as you never stop learning.
The Newspapers are touting Shay going to Arsenal but I don’t think that will happen. It’s the papers way of giving their praise to the man they think is THE BEST IN THE PREMIERSHIP!!!! 
Well done Shay in 2008 and enjoy 2009.
Joe Kinnear’s thoughts on Shay staying are taken off nufc.co.uk:
“Shay’s very happy here, he’s very comfortable at Newcastle United. He won’t be leaving – he has no interest in that whatsoever. He loves the football club – he’s part of the city and that suits us because he’s a world-class goalkeeper. Shay’s performance against Liverpool was brilliant and that got picked up on. But ask the Geordie fans and I think they already knew how good he is. They know their football, so to be one of their favourites says it all about how good he is. He’s the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by a mile.”
January 2nd, 2009 at 14:00
Kinnear is right. Shay is not only the best current goal keeper but probably the best Newcastle have ever had. If Shay leaves us now it would be disastrous for the club but in all honesty I couldn’t really blame him. Good luck whatever you decide Shay.
January 2nd, 2009 at 17:42
Shay, congratulations for your career, you know Spain has many excellent goalkeepers, but you´re the best in the world, there´s no goalkeeper as safe as you I think you´re an example as if you played in a team like manchester, liverpool, inter…. you would be recognised as the best in the world, but instead of that you decide to stay in Newcastle, the club you love and that´s what makes me admire you. Good luck, you´ll never be forgotten!!!
January 2nd, 2009 at 17:47
So…….. is Shay off for pastures new?!!
January 2nd, 2009 at 18:53
Nobody can deny Shay is by far one of the best keppers in the world. But as Newcastle fan I would in no way blame him for leaving the club, but if he does leave Championship here we comr. As an Irish man I want to see him leave and win the honours a keeper of his standard ability should win.
January 2nd, 2009 at 20:31
Stay Shay, you are the reason why Newcastle remain in the premier league, you belong somewhere where will compete for honours however you will not get the hero adoration you richly deserve and get at Newcastle if you leave for Spurs or Man City, you would not be blamed for leaving, you are the best keeper in the league, stay Shay
March 19th, 2009 at 14:17
now that he has left you can tell just how much we relied on his fantastic saves,he is the best in he league and we will struggle without him.altho harper is good he is no shay given