Roeder Defends Harper

Last updated : 21 September 2006 By Footy Mad - Editor
Shay Given joked to Harper by text before the game: "I've got tubes sticking out from all over here in hospital, but I'll be having a fitness test before the match."

If Shay was watching from his hospital bed, as I'm sure he was, I bet he'd actually MADE that fitness test.

But Glenn Roeder defended his goalkeeper, saying it was a slip that just happened to happen.

Roeder: "I don't think fans realise the technique or how difficult striking a ball like that is. It was a brilliant bit of skill but having said that if Steve hadn't slipped it would have been a great long pass into his arms."

He added: "We were disappointed to come in a goal down at half-time.

"For all Liverpool's pressure I thought we defended well but their goal was a shocking one for us tactically."