Harper v Krul – You decide.
Posted on February 16th, 2011 | 41 Comments |
There were plenty who claimed Harper was the better option, but that due to Given’s whining in the press when coming back from injury, he forced various manager’s hands and got back into the team, not always on merit.
Some would say Harper wasn’t tough enough and gave way to Given for the sake of ‘team morale’.
Some prefer Tim Krul to Harper. Being the younger option to Harper, who is in the Autumn of his career and claiming he needed ‘blooding’ into the Premiership way of things and that he wouldn’t get that ‘doing a Harper’ from the bench.
Harper certainly has the experience through years at the club and his loyalty can’t really be questioned. Steve has also waited patiently for his opportunity.
Some would argue that he only has a limited number of years left, at the top level, although he still has plenty in the tank and if you look around, you’ll find that ‘keepers seem to get better with age. Hence, some top ‘keepers playing at the top of their game until they’re 40ish.
Krul, on the other hand, has played quite a few games now, and has shown he’s a very capable ‘keeper. Granted, he still has things to learn and will get better with age and experience. Both are very good ‘in the nets’ and we are blessed with a plethora of good young ones coming through in Forster/Soderberg/Alnwick.
So, at this point in the season, with quite a few games chalked up by each player, let’s take a look at the stats:
Harper first, as he started the season.
He’s played 12 and a half games, had 5 and a half clean sheets, whilst shipping 13 goals in the process (1.04 goals per game).
Krul, who got his big chance this season after an ill-advised, late challenge by Beckford on Harper at Everton early in the campaign, side-lined Steve.
He’s played 18 and a half games, with 2 and a half clean sheets, shipping 37 goals (2 goals per game).
Whilst they’ve played different amounts of games, Krul has played a few more cup games, some against supposed ‘weaker’ opposition, and they share the Everton games’ clean sheet and appearance, hence the half scores.
So, on face value, Harper has had more clean sheets, and has shipped almost half as many overall. Meanwhile, Krul has played more, has less clean sheets and has shipped far more goals per game.
Does this say Harper’s experience wins through? Or, Krul has just had more to do?
It is Krul’s first real test at Premiership level, but does he still have a way to go?
But, Harper hasn’t had that many games down the years and this season could also be construed as his first as a proper starting / preferred ‘keeper. Anyway, like it says at the top:
Harper V Krul – YOU DECIDE.
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NUFCBlog Author: CLiNT FLiCK
Cut me in half & it'll say Newcastle United F.C. just like a stick of Black 'n' White rock!
CLiNT FLiCK has written 42 articles on this blog.
Neither – I would have Forster as No1 for next season anyway