Tim Krul on one of his murderous rampages.With an injury to Steve Harper that could see him out for the rest of the season, the responsibility falls to young Tim Krul to take his spot at the Gallowgate between the uprights.
We expect ball catcher extraordinaire Steve Harper to be back for the beginning of the 2011/2012 season, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Easington born ‘keeper. There are question marks surrounding the rightful owner to the number 1 shirt just 2 seasons after Harper finally claimed first choice goalkeeper.
Steve’s position in the squad is constantly under threat from Tim Krul and Hexham born Fraser Forster. Fraser doesn’t want to sit on the bench, and Tim is more than willing to do that to cement his place at St. James Park. With youngsters Jak Alnwick and Ole Soderberg steaming up through the ranks, we’re reminded exactly how blessed we are in the goalkeeping department here at Newcastle.
The unfortunate thing for Tim Krul is that even if he does manage to take the shirt from Harper’s back, he still has Fraser Forster to contend with. With them being of similar age, it will be even more difficult for Tim to retain the shirt, or maybe for the club to keep Forster on the books – after all, he doesn’t want to warm the bench. (more…)
Krul, Harper and Forster - Sorted.I have always felt United have been spoilt for choice with goalkeepers, for the last ten years at least, with Shay Given being and Steve Harper battling for the No.1 jersey. And now, even with Given being No.2 at Manchester ‘Abu Dhabi’ City, United are still blessed in this position.
The fact that our No.3, Fraser Forster, made his Celtic Park debut this weekend as The Hoops cruised to a 3-0 win over Hearts means that the 22-year-old could potentially add an SPL winners medal to the League One winners medal he already holds after a superb season with Norwich City last season.
Even if he did return with the two Championships to his name he will be far from guaranteed even a spot on the bench next season with United also having Dutchman Tim Krul, who has been fantastic whenever he has been called upon for the first team. (more…)
Harper: Waited long enough for his chance!Here we go with the first in a series of player reviews for the season just passed. Rather than an individual write up for each player I thought it would give us more to discuss and work through if I reviewed the team by on-field position.
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…)
Not far to reach for the stars!There’s no arguing that Fraser Forster is a ‘huge’ talent, as he towers a good several inches over the tallest of his Newcastle defenders. But is he good enough to attract the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham scouts?There have been several rumours this weekend after a dearth of speculation over player departures, (well it is that time of year), and one relates to the big fella from Hexham.
He’s had a number of impressive displays in the junior and reserve sides and was pushing Tim Krul as back-up to Steve Harper. However, after Krul’s return from loan to Falkirk, it was Forster’s turn to go out on loan to gain some match experience.
And he’s been out at Stockport County, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City, where he remains on loan until the end of the season.
A commanding and able goalkeeper, though still relatively inexperienced, Forster is highly regarded in these parts by the experts.
But with first team opportunities at a premium, could Forster’s head be turned by the bright lights of the big city? (more…)
Jus' chillin'?Chris Hughton has admitted that he is pretty laidback as the hour approaches and the ‘temporary loan signing’ window shuts at 5pm tomorrow night until February.
It has long been reported that Leon Cort has been on Hughton’s radar but Hughton has been telling the Chronicle that he’s not in any rush to sign players just for the sake of it:
“You never know, but realistically looking at the squad I don’t really expect to bring anybody in during the next month or so.
“Of course, all sorts of things can happen in the next 24 hours, and phone calls will be made on Thursday with players potentially becoming available.
“Some clubs might make a decision that some of the players who weren’t available earlier in the season are now there for loans. But we’ll see.”(more…)
Tim Krul on one of his murderous rampages.
