Harping on about Krul

Posted on October 7th, 2011 | 9 Comments |

Steve Harper happy to wait his turn.
Happy to wait his turn
Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper says he’s content to keep the bench warm for now and has nothing but praise for Tim Krul.

My esteemed colleague recently wrote an article about Steve Harper asking whether he is content playing second fiddle to Tim Krul at Newcastle or whether he may consider moving elsewhere.

And yesterday Steve Harper gave his reply. When asked if he’s prepared to sit on the bench, Harper said:

“Of course. The club made the decision to start with Tim at the start of the season and he has been outstanding. You can’t take that away from him.

“Some games he has been quiet but against Fulham, the cup game against Scunny, and Wolves he was outstanding.

“He has played a big part in the start to the season and I will continue to help him. I know he’s said that. But I will help him as much as I can.

“He is a big player for the future and if I can help get the best out of him then it will only benefit the club.“

And when asked about the ‘rota system’ Alan Pardew has implemented for Rob Elliot and him, Harper said:

“At the start of the season it was obvious the way it was, I had a few chats with the manager and he told me he wanted to bring somebody in with Fraser Forster being on loan, and that may become permanent, who knows?

“It was important to get somebody in. He’s got Rob in now and when you are a young lad it is important to get involved as soon as possible.

“I have no problem with the rota system.”

I’m sure Harper would prefer to be on the pitch but it seems he’s contented – if not perhaps deliriously happy – to wait his turn, which I guess he’s had a lot of practice at after playing as number 2 to Shay Given for so many years. When asked whether his love for the club is as strong as ever, he said:

“Of course it is.”

Stirling attitude from Harper but I have to say I feel little sorry for him. He waited so long to grab the regular keeping role from Shay Given and now he’s been usurped by young Krul without ever having done anything wrong that I can see.

Don’t get me wrong though. I’m certainly not putting an argument forward for him to replace Krul as number one choice. Krul had been excellent and is worthy of his position. I’m merely saying that I feel a little sorry for Harper.

Plaudits, though, for the way he’s handled things.

NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10). Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

9 Responses

  2. Unlucky on harps but when you have a keeper of tims quality and age you gotta play him

  3. The only thing Harps did wrong was get injured. Krul took his shot and has not looked back. If Krul was not performing orhe got injured I have no doubt Harps would be in goal and in turn get his chance. I think Pardew is a big fan of ‘the jersey is yours to lose’ mentality hence why Ben Arfa has not found his way automatically back on the field. I for one am glad we left him out of wolves as it is better for him to face a technical side like tottenham who probably wont chop his legs off

  5. Charlietoon says:

    “The only thing Harps did wrong was” playing a part in the senior players committee under Hughton ?

  6. GS,
    Ferguson is waiting to see if ROI call him before committing to NI.

    Harper is a top ‘keeper & will not let us down when he gets the call.
    Charlie,
    you’re bang on about the HBA thing too, imv.

  7. Sorry AndyMac, I can’t believe that, although no doubt it tickles the fancy of the conspiracy theorists. It is pretty obvious that Harper is never going to be one who will cause a problem if it might reflect badly on the club and I’m sure all those at NUFC realise that including Pardew and Ashley.

  8. GS,
    & worthington knows this full well, he’s trying to shame him in the media into committing by acting dumb.
    7th oldest trick in the book.

  9. Harper is Toon through & through, like a bullet in CSI.
    :)
    He’ll be back, he’s got plenty left in the tank.