Even though Newcastle lost Shay Given to Manchester City 13 months ago, Newcastle are still well endowed in the goalkeeping department.
Fraser Forster – 6’6″ goalkeeper playing well at Norwich
Newcastle have 34 year-old Steve Harper having a very solid season, and back-up Tim Krul the Dutch U21 International, is one of the best young goalkeepers around.
And Fraser Forster, our Hexham-born 21 year-old is also a top prospect and has been playing well at Division One Norwich, who are currently top of the league and 4 points clear of Leeds United.
Newcastle have allowed Forster to extend his Norwich loan until the end of the current season – but is keeping tabs on the youngster.
The local lad turns 22 next month and Chris Hughton talked about one of his young stars:
“He’s under contract, and he’s not for sale,” “Fraser’s doing very well at Norwich. Where we’re fortunate is that he comes back here a couple of days a week, so we’re still able to keep in contact with Fraser.”
“It’s not a case that he’s gone on loan for a year and will only be watched occasionally, and we don’t see him. We’re seeing him very regularly, and very fortunate in the two young goalkeepers we’ve got.”
“There would be teams watching him, as there will be teams watching all young players. Every club has a scouting system, and that’s what they do, but we’ve not heard anything. For me, that’s normal.”
“It’s not a problem. What would happen is exactly the same as Tim (Krul) – clubs would be aware they are good young goalkeepers.”
However, both Tim Krul and Fraser Forster will need first team games to improve, and it’s an open question whether Newcastle can keep both young goalkeepers happy.
Fraser will be wanting more first team games, but whether Tim or Fraser can force their way past Steve Harper is an open question, but we think not – at least in the short term.
And Forster admitts he faces a major job in replacing Steve on Tyneside.
“Obviously I think I’ll be back to Newcastle because I’m just playing games here and getting experience,”
“I’ve got a long-term contract there, so I’ll be going back and hopefully pushing for the number one – but it’s not easy when there is Steve Harper there as well.”
“We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Obviously I want to kick on and make it at Newcastle. If your football is going well it makes your whole life easy and if it’s not going well, wherever you are, life is not great. But I’m absolutely delighted to be here.”
It could be that Tim Krul gets to go on loan next season, but Feyenoord of Rotterdamhave have a long standing interest in the 21 year-old, and we wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Dutch club makes a move for Tim in the summer.
What do you think about this?
Comments very welcome.
14 comments so far
toonboyjake
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Comment #1Losing krul permanently would be a massive blow for us he will be a world class keeper, on the other hand fraser has been playing some great stuff for norwich this year, steve harper is as solid as always so unless we rotate them next year one will leave and it’ll be a massive blow for newcastle
tdt
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Comment #2Hopefully one will be the back-up and the other will go on loan for experience. Maybe krul should go out and get some first team experience next season and Forster can be Harper’s depute?
They should take a leaf out of Harper’s book, he had to wait centuries to get his chance, but now he’s taking it. Keeper’s careers can continue into their 40’s, so I dont think they need to worry about regular first team action just yet. I understand their frustration though – all players want to play every week, it doesnt always work like that though does it, look at lua lua.
Turkish Magpie
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Comment #3Simple answer to the title- NO
whizzkid1892
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:44 PM
Comment #4Harper stays on his line far too much and should have been replaced by krul this season – i’m sick of hearing how long harper has had to wait – hes had to wait so long for a 1st team chance coz hes rubbish.
dutchy
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:50 PM
Comment #5When i went home for xmas (student in newcastle, from holland) Krul was on the same flight. I had a little chat with him when we were waiting n he said that he was happy to wait for his chance. I would be devastated if he was to go, cos he is definitely the next VDSar.
Lynxie
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Comment #6Tim Krul has shown on many occasions that he has the temperament and ability, whilst Harper seems to stroll through games as if unbeatable, far too complacent (Sheff Wed equaliser was an absolute disgrace, Forster would have flattened the centre forward and caught the ball.) Unless we make a plan for these two good young lads, (in my pinion by giving Tim Krul the first team slot and Forster as back up to put pressure on him) we may lose one or both. Harper has been a good servant, but like Nicky Butt, no longer good enough and quick enough. How many times have we been chasing a game, and Harper looks like he is out for a summer stroll……? there is a difference between being a calming influence and lackadaisical (if thats how you spell it LOL).
whizzkid1892
Feb 17, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Comment #7well said lynxie, if harper is our number 1 keeper next year – if we get promoted – then staying up will be a lot harder.
petey
Feb 17, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Comment #8Krul is good, but i dont think he will be first team on any team sheet above the 1st division.
So with that in mind, im sure he would understand loans are for the best at the moment
toonboyjake
Feb 17, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Comment #9krul is wanted by a lot of european clubs and not so long ago juventus were sniffing, tdt krul and fraser should never do what harper did, harper shouldnt have done what he did, if he’d have moved clubs he could have been an international player by now, instead he’s no1 keeper in the championship. there are 2 younger talented gk waitin for their chance and i think harper should accept this and maybe step into a coaching role like hilario at chelsea, he’s still there and gets games but is a coach 2
Ericles
Feb 17, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Comment #10We need to keep moth Krul and Forster if we are to develop a quality squad for the Premiership. We are fine for keepers – it is the outfield that worries me!
Robby Bobson
Feb 17, 2010 at 2:42 PM
Comment #1121 is very young for a keeper and hopefully they can keep patient.
Timmy Krul has been flawless when hes come in and he made some ridiculous saves when he was on loan at Falkirk.
However Forster has been nothing short of brilliant at Norwich. Someone needs to sit down with them both explain the situation and see who is up for the fight for the position.
Krul is the shot stopper, Forster is the 6″6 dominant keeper.
I feel for Solenberg (??) or whatever our young swedish keeper is called as he has little hope with two of the best young keepers in the country above him.
ende
Feb 17, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Comment #12I don’t think you can point at goal keeping as one of our contributing problems this season. With that said, I wouldn’t mind switching up keepers a bit more regularly. Maybe it’s a legitimate issue of ‘form’, or maybe it’s just superstition, but the idea of rotating starting keeper seems blasphemous in this game. I watch a lot of NHL too, and there a decent backup should be playing about 20 of the 82 games in a season.
G
Feb 17, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Comment #13I think some of the comments on Harper are a little harsh here. I think in terms of shot stopping there was very little in it between Harper and Given. Steve has had a couple of bad games this season, but show me a keeper who hasn’t? Even helmet heed at Chelski went through a patch earlier in the season. I still think Steve Harper is a class keeper, who is capable of performing well in the top flight, and who also would be capable and justifiable of getting a nod for his country… out for a stroll? Youv’e been watching the wrong end of the pitch mate!
Lynxie
Feb 18, 2010 at 9:43 AM
Comment #14Oh I think I have been watching the right end. did you see how ‘quickly’ Harper moved his feet to get across his line for Morrison’s goal. Waaay too slow. Steve Harper is doing a grand job this season, but Stevie Wonder could have played in goal last night, such was the ease of the win. There is no reason to worry about our 2 young lads, they will get better with every game they play, and could be the basis of an improving and hopefully successful team for years to come. Young Soderberg also gives us great succession planning for the future. If only we had midfield players lining up to take up thier rightful ownership of a first team place……..