One of the things we have enjoyed writing about over the last two years, is the progress of our excellent youngsters.
Fraser Forster – top goalkeeping prospect
In fact that’s the single and only bright spot at the Tyneside club, and it looks like Newcastle United’s Hexham-born goalkeeper, Fraser Forster, is set to commit his long-term future to the club by signing a new five-year deal.
This is being reported by Sky Sports.
The England youth international is very well thought of at Newcastle, and we remember well when Sam Allardyce was at the club, saying (late 2007), that Fraser was pushing for a first team place, which was a surprise to most Newcastle fans.
It did show however, just how good Fraser is, as a future prospect.
The 21 year-old (born March 17th, 1988) spent a month at Stockport County on loan, and when he returned in October, we had many comments from Stockport County fans saying the lad has been just great for them – and they would have liked him for the rest of the season on loan.
Fraser kept three clean sheets for Stockport County in the six games he played there.
Since Alan Shearer came on board, Fraser has slipped to number 3 goalkeeper at the club, with Dutch Under-21 International, Tim Krul – another great future goalkeeper – being preferred as the substitute goalkeeper to Steve Harper. Before Alan arrived the two switched each game as substitute to Harper.
Apparently Forster has been in talks with the club’s hierarchy for some time and now Alan Shearer has apparently become involved, as he bids to sign those players he thinks highly of at the club.
Whatever happens tomorrow, Steve Harper will come under pressure from both Krul and Forster next season, and any talk about signing a new goalkeeper in the summer, seems wasteful to us.
By the way Fraser is now 6’6″, and has grown 2 inches in the last couple of years. He’s a big lad and should be good on crosses, but he is also extremely agile.
We think Alan Shearer is more than happy to sign up top local talent, so he can bring some real passion back to the club.
This is one (and only) area where our Strategy is really working, and we also need to tie down Youth Academy Director Richard Money, on a long term deal, since he’s done so well with the kids this season.
Whatever happens on Sunday – be it utter ecstasy or complete disaster, we expect the club to issue a statement, probably on Monday, about Alan Shearer’s future. We’d also like tos ee a press conference next week – whatever happens tomorrow.
Shearer may even demand that, if he stays on Tyneside.
We hope he will stay, because Shearer has shown every sign of being a top class manager in the making, even though he has admitted he’s not been able to get enough points to save the Newcastle club – yet!
1 comment so far
tripp
May 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Comment #1Totally mixed emotions about tomorrow. If we go down, it’s a chance to completely overhaul the side and start fresh. However, look at Fulham last year. They pulled off a pretty remarkable escape, survived on goal difference and are challenging for Europe, and will likely get it, unless Spurs somehow manage to beat Liverpool at Anfield and Fulham lose to Everton, who are surely saving themselves for the FA Cup Final. If we can pull off something half as good as that, then staying up is worthwhile. If we’re just gonna be in another relegation scrap with many of the same players (and their massive, unsustainable wages) then bring on relegation. In the long run we’ll be far better off.