Now there isn’t many of those areas and by process of elimination you will probably get which area I am alluding to.
It is of course our goalkeeping situation, and just what is going to happen with regard to giving our top three ‘keepers the playing time required to keep them happy and continue their development. (more…)
Newcastle are kind of lucky in that regard as we have a lot of players who have played at the highest level for a long time, they know what it’s about and they know what is required. With pre-season just around the corner, it gives all the likely candidates a chance to push their credentials forward for the job.
Obviously Nicky Butt didn’t play too much of a part last season, but it still didn’t stop him being the captain. Part of the theory behind that is because we have a lot of ‘on the pitch’ leaders, which fortunately meant Nicky Butt didn’t need to be on the pitch to perform his ‘duties’. Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith, Steve Harper and Fabricio Coloccini all had turns in wearing the armband last season, and considering all of those look likely to kick off the new season with us then you would have to assume that one of them has to be in the running to be named the captain on a full-time basis. So let’s take a look at the options. (more…)
It just seemed strange to me as Harper has been waiting long enough for his chance to be number one at Newcastle, a chance that he was given when Shay left us for Manchester City back in the 08/09 relegation season.
Harper hasn’t looked back since and his form between the sticks has been excellent for us, which has lead to Chris Hughton rubbishing talk of an apparent move to Celtic at the first available opportunity.
Whilst I don’t think that anyone would like to see Harper leave, we mustn’t forget that we have some top young goalkeepers waiting in the wings, with Tim Krul being the next in line to take over from Steve Harper. Krul is getting towards the age where he will want to be playing first team games, which is something that could have been on offer if Harper did move on to pastures new. So how much longer is Krul willing to wait? (more…)
However, Taylor isn’t the only player who we risk losing at the end of the upcoming season as Dutch ‘keeper Tim Krul also enters the final twelve months of his contract.
Krul has been tipped to reach the top for some time now, and the Dutchman is still only 22 years old. As a goalkeeper, his potential is undoubted and you would have to say that he would be knocking on the door of the first team a lot harder at some other clubs than he is a Newcastle. The problem is that Krul has been a victim of playing in one of our most well stocked positions. We had Shay Given for years, then he left and Steve Harper came into the frame, which leaves Krul next in line for the number one, but will he be around for long enough to claim it for himself? (more…)
That of course means our player review for the season 09/10 will feature four editions; Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and strikers. So in true football cliche style, let’s build from the back and start off between the sticks with a review of our goalkeepers and how they have done this season.
It does appear to have been an area where we have been blessed with quality for a good few years now, and with top quality rising through the ranks at St James’ Park it looks likely to remain one of our strongest positions for some years to come. For many years we had Shay Given, a brilliant keeper and widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League throughout his time with us. In January 2009, Shay moved on to Manchester City where of course we wish him all the best, apart from against us next season. Whilst losing Shay was a blow, most of us knew we had a good backup ‘keeper in the form of the forgotten man of Newcastle United. (more…)