When pressed on the matter, Alan Pardew told reporters that he wanted to see a lot of competition from the three keepers - "It's going to be a case of, 'come on then, who's the hungriest, who has had a summer, who's actually really taken care of what they're doing over the summer?” This suggests that pre-season is going to be a highly competitive one for all three. But just who is United’s best bet to keep goal next season?
First up, we have Steve Harper. Currently the teams longest serving player, having been on the books at St James’ Park since 1993. Unfortunately for Harper, he has spent the best part of 20 years at the club as a second choice goalkeeper, firstly to Pavel Srnícek, followed by Shaka Hislop and of course Shay Given after him. Since Given left for the riches of Manchester City in 2009, Harper has been considered as the clubs number one. The question remains to be asked whether Harper is the teams first choice in goal through merit, or it is because the club feel that they owe it to him for his unparalleled dedication to the club.
Pockets of supporters suggested that if Shay Given had remained at the club in January of 2009, the team wouldn’t have plunged into the Championship - as they did with Harper in goals. During what would be United’s promotional season, the following year, Harper went on to break the club record for number of clean sheets in one season - albeit in the second tier of English football. Perhaps Championship football is really Harpers level? The season past should have been the Easington born keepers first full season as number one in the Premier League, although injuries have restricted him to just 18 matches. Has the time to become first choice actually come far too late in Harpers career?
In the last week contrasting sound bites from the young Dutch stopper have left Toon fans a little confused as to where Krul’s future lies. Media reports from his home country of Holland have Krul stating that he must be confirmed as United’s number one goalie, or he will refuse to stay:
"I am 23 years and now just want to play a whole season. I will tell the trainer when I return the club“ - also going on to say - “Something like that has to happen in the new season, otherwise it makes no sense to stay at Newcastle."
These quotes differ quite considerably to those from given by Krul to North East media “…it’s one big fight, and I’ve got to make sure I’m fit. I’ve played 25 games this season, and that’s more than I expected. I’m more than happy with that.” Whether this is a case of misquotation or poor translation remains to be seen.
Tim Krul burst onto the Newcastle picture as a teenager when he was put in goal away to Palermo in the UEFA Cup following injuries to both Shay Given and Steve Harper. It was a debut that would go down in Geordie folklore. Newcastle won the match 1-0 in a hostile environment, Krul putting on a man of the match performance, making a number of fine stops in the process. It seemed Krul was destined to be Given’s heir.
Since then it has been a stop-start sort of time for Krul on Tyneside, with the experienced Steve Harper being preferred over this exciting young talent. Injuries to the ageing Harper, however, have allowed Krul to make more appearances in nets this season than his elder counterpart - putting in some fine shot stopping performances against the likes of Sunderland, Arsenal and Man Utd.
Like all young goalkeepers, Krul will always be susceptible to a mistake, most recently a misjudgement of a free kick against Chelsea, saw the ball loop over his head, only for Alex to thump home a header. But goalkeepers learn from their mistakes and work hard to iron them out of their game. The confident young Dutchman must surely be considered a real prospect for the number one jersey.
It seems that it could be now or never for Hexham born goalie Fraser Forster at Newcastle United, after two incredibly impressive seasons out on loan with Norwich City and Celtic respectively. During his time away from the Magpies, Forster helped Norwich to a League One title, winning Norwich’s player of the season award and the divisions award for highest number of clean sheets during his stay. North of the border last season, he won the Scottish Cup for Celtic, as well as recording the highest number of clean sheets in the SPL - a staggering 21 in 38 games - 24 in 44 matches overall.
Without taking too much away from Forster, you must take this success with a pinch of salt. The SPL is a far weaker division than the Premier League, with Alan Pardew taking a swipe at the quality of football on show - “We have watched that division and watched him (Forster) all year. We've been very disappointed with the quality of the games, other than the occasional Rangers versus Celtic game” - such comments would probably suggest that the giant stopper still has a bit to prove himself to his boss to be considered for the first team.
As July 1st approaches, the rumour mill is already in full force, with Forster being heavily linked to a permanent switch to Celtic having impressed Neil Lennon in his first full season in charge of the Hoops. After Pardew’s damning attack on the SPL, however, a move now looks unlikely, and he will now concentrate on becoming Newcastle’s number one.
Should Forster win the battle to start in between the posts for the Geordies next season, it would be quite a story for a player who has never played a competitive first team match for the team. Standing at 6ft 8in, a colossus with great command of his area, Forster has been given rave reviews wherever he has been - why not make the step up to Premier League football next season?
Let the battle commence
All three men will now take some time to re-charge over the summer month (After international duty for Tim Krul) before returning to pre-season training to try and prove to Alan Pardew who his first choice should be. With a host of friendly matches arranged before the big kick off in August, as well as a tour of America - the race to become Newcastle United’s number one starts now.
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