Shay Given has been talking about Elliot Anderson.
This follows the Nottingham Forest match against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Both Elliot Anderson and Shay Given are former NUFC players.
Sadly, this isn’t the only aspect of their lives that they share.
Elliot Anderson lost his mam to cancer last month, a devastating blow. For Shay Given it is something very close to home, as the former Newcastle United goalkeeper tragically also lost his mam to cancer, when he was only four years old.
Shay Given giving us this insight: “It was fitting for Elliot Anderson to have the last say in that game against his former club and after the sad passing of his mother. He has shown incredible resolve over the last few weeks as losing a parent is one of the biggest things that could ever happen to anyone. People often forget the human side of players, they aren’t just robots. For him to keep playing at the level he has been, when he will have been hurting so much, has been unbelievable. It will have meant so much to him to score against Newcastle United, his mum was a Geordie and he will no doubt have had mates in the away end.”
Elliot Anderson had been on the losing side four times out of four when playing for Forest against Newcastle previously.
His 88th minute goal ended up proving to be the moment when Forest made themselves safe.
West Ham losing to Arsenal later on Sunday.
After the game at the City Ground but ahead of that Hammers match, Shay Given saying: “Elliot Anderson is some player and he has yet again shown what a mistake Newcastle made by letting him go. That goal has earned Forest the point that might be the one that seals their safety for next season. He got cramp when he scored and that showed just how much effort he puts in today and week in, week out.”