Taken over the mantle?Whatever lies ahead, Steve Harper seems to be in good spirits at Newcastle and just trying to enjoy the current situation for what it is now. The Premiership is obviously the ultimate goal for everyone involved in the club but having waited painstakingly for an opportunity to make the No.1 shirt his own, as he heads to Watford, Harper insists he looks forward to the somewhat less prestigious trips to the likes of Vicarage Road, because his role is now undisputed.
Having had to watch from the bench as arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world, saved Newcastle’s bacon week in week out, Harper could have been forgiven for feeling a little sorry for himself. But his love for the club (and probably the decent wages he was on), meant he stuck around anyway and, in fact, he still managed to play in some pretty high profile occasions, including a Cup Final appearance and Champions League football. And he’s been speaking to The Journal about those days:
“I am sure we can reach those dizzy heights again but realistically that is a long way off,”.
“The stadium is there, the fanbase is there so that has to be the ultimate aim but our first aim is to get out of the Championship, stay in the Premier League and then build year on year.(more…)
Harper - 'Dying slow and painful death' Erstwhile Newcastle United goalkeeper, Steve Harper has given an interview on the current predicament currently facing the club. He told The Journal:
“It’s an awful situation which we cannot do anything about as players. The sooner it is resolved the better for everyone because we can start again.”
Harper then added:
“All we keep hearing is ‘Next few days, next few days, next few days’. Everybody – fans, players, staff – wants it resolved so we can rebuild this football club because we are in an awful state at the moment.
“We want it to be done and dusted so we know where we are and where we are going because at this moment the football club is dying a slow, painful death.
“We have to soldier on, but the sooner the better for everyone concerned – and most importantly for Newcastle United.”
Reflecting on the great catastrophe of last season, he went on:
“What happened last season was desperately, desperately disappointing.
“Just when you think there is an opportunity for this club to put itself right, this happens. (more…)
