Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given believes Nick Pope has 'improved' Eddie Howe's side following his impressive start to life at St James' Park.
Pope registered back-to-back clean sheets in his first two games for the Magpies. However, he missed out on the chance to become the first Newcastle player to keep clean sheets in each of his first three games after conceding against Man City.
The United goalkeeper made a series of fine saves against City, denying Erling Haaland, Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva as Pep Guardiola's side piled on the pressure. Given has praised Newcastle's improvement as a defensive unit under Howe and insists that Pope's current form will help him push for a place in England's 2022 World Cup squad.
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"He has improved them," Given revealed on Sky Sports ahead of Newcastle's clash against another of his former sides, Man City.. "I think since Howe’s come in, as a defensive unit, they’ve tightened up.
"Dan Burn and Sven Botman have come in as well. He’s pushing for the World Cup squad this year. It’s great when you start your Newcastle career with a couple of clean sheets. He made a great save last week. To hit the ground running in front of this crowd is fantastic."
Given admitted he did have questions marks regarding Pope's distribution after coming from a side that rarely built from the back in the shape of Burnley. However, the former Republic of Ireland international expects it to be an area of his game that Pope will improve at Newcastle.
"There was some question marks over Dubravka last season, was he good enough with his feet and the same questions about Pope because of how Burnley played," Given observed. "I do think with the coaching staff, it'll be something Nick works on. That’s the modern day goalkeeper. Nick will improve on that working with this manager and backroom staff."
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