Shay Given has given Leicester City advice on how to handle goalkeeper Danny Ward in the next few days after he was the subject of booing from his own fans during Leicester City’s catastrophic 3-0 home defeat by Wolves.
The Foxes keeper, playing because of an injury to regular number one Mads Hermansen, was at fault for at least two of the goals City conceded in the first half at the King Power Stadium, prompting unhappy home fans to also cheer him at one point just for catching the ball.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy defended the Wales international goalkeeper after the game, saying: “We all understand disappointment from the crowd but it shouldn’t go to one player.
“Booing and being disappointed with a result, I think it’s a right of a supporter to show your emotions. We all do that. But when it goes to one person, that is hard to see for me personally.”
And former Newcastle and Manchester City keeper Given gave his assessment of the situation as a pundit on Match of the Day 2, adding: “I've been there. It's a tough position. It's a lonely position and a lot goes on between your ears as well.
“I think Ruud has been super positive. They're in it together. They'll have to get round Danny Ward in the next few days, support him, and I'm sure they've got sports psychologists at the football club as well, but they have to stick together.
“That’s 82 shots conceded in four games under Ruud, so it's not just the goalkeeper. I think it's the balance of the team. They have to get it right and Ruud will know that.”
Is it fair to single out Ward for criticism? Click HERE to have your say
The latest Leicester City headlines sent straight to your phone
Get the latest Leicester City news sent straight to your phone by joining our Foxes WhatsApp community. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started.
No one will be able to see your personal information in the community and you will only receive messages from the LeicestershireLive sports team. We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest City stories. All you need to participate in this free service is to have WhatsApp on your phone.
If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave at any time by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and then 'Exit Group'. It's as simple as that. You can read our Privacy Notice HERE.