Newcastle 35 year-old goalkeeper Steve Harper has come out today and praised the way the Newcastle coaching staff have created such a positive environment at the Tyneside club.
Steve Harper – compliments Newcastle coaches today
Harper, who was signed by the great Kevin Keegan back in 1993, told the Evening Chronicle today:
“Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Barron have done a great job.” “They’ve created a great working environment.”
“I’m sure they’ll keep us all ticking over in pre-season again.” “Last year, despite what people say, pre-season actually went well.”
“We only had one blip and that came at Leyton Orient.” “We came through from that and went on to have a really good season in the Championship.”
Newcastle have lined up pre-season friendly games with the likes of Carlisle United, Norwich City, PSV Eindhoven, Deportivo La Coruna and Glasgow Rangers this summer.
And Newcastle are also planning a return trip to Carlton House in Ireland for a week, and that’s the place the new team spirit at Newcastle was created at Newcastle, following a summer of utter turmoil.
Hughton returns to pre-season with the rest of the Newcastle squad next week and he was asked if he was looking forward to returning, and Steve said:
“When you’re 35 you don’t!” “But seriously, I will be looking forward to it, of course I will.”
“You have your summer break and your time off but once everybody is back around each other it’s great.”
“You’re then just working hard and I’m sure that everybody will be trying to be in tip top shape for the start of the season.”
And it seems that Steve thinks it’s just a great idea to return to Carlton House, just outside of Dublin, and we have to hope that some of our new players are on board by then, so they can get fully integrated into the Newcastle squad, and get infused with the great team spirit that has existed at the Newcastle club since last summer.
Steve continued:
“It will be great to go back to Carton House again.” “They made us very welcome there last time and it was a great atmosphere amongst the players.”
“The coaching staff will have us going through our paces and it bodes well again.”
W are really looking forward to the first day of training next week, which we think is a week on Thursday, but in any case it will be great to see our players back again – and maybe even one or two new acquisitions shortly after that.
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
ToonTex
Jun 30, 2010 at 1:49 PM
Comment #1Saying that a positive environment will carry us thru next season is frightening.
A well built and organized team with players competing for places and a recognizable back up at each position AND a positive environment can get you somewhere.
We don’t have that by a long shot.
Lets just see how positive we all are when we we get 4 pts from the first 15 and the spirit dissipates.
BUY PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugh G Hampton
Jun 30, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Comment #2“W are really looking forward to the first day of training next week, which we think is a week on Thursday, ”
We think!!!! Do you mean that you dont know?
LOL………….
sweendog
Jun 30, 2010 at 4:04 PM
Comment #3ToonTex .. agreed there’ll not be much team spirit when our right back is turned inside and out .. strikers can’t score and midfielders looking too slow .. .. hmm doesn’t bode well at the minute
sirjasontoon
Jun 30, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Comment #4Just wait till your hands are stinging Steve and teams like Wolves are playing Mike Ashley’s Fizzy Pop Champions off the park…..then we will see the good dressing room spirit,especially when Ashley sacks CH at xmas.
boater
Jun 30, 2010 at 5:32 PM
Comment #5Well if there is a terrific positive environment it certainly hasn’t made its way to this message board.
I have scant faith in our owner – but I have every faith in the coaching staff and, to a lesser extent, the players to ensure we survive.
Remember how important the supporters being behind the team is – and not in the case of relegation.
CH will get a couple more players in – bit of patience.
Howay The Lads
Jun 30, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Comment #6Well, we don’t need to lose a few for the players to lose spirit. Just tick them in a room with you bunch of masochists :L
BeeGuy
Jun 30, 2010 at 6:42 PM
Comment #7Personally, I’d like to see the coaching staff rounded out so everyone can concentrate on their tasks rather than do double or triple duty.
MacToon
Jun 30, 2010 at 6:49 PM
Comment #8Hate to say it but I agree with the “neg-heads” lol
ToonTex says it all really.
One thing though come match day, aslong as 100% effort is there by the players then there will be 100% support from the fans whether we win, lose or draw.
Howay The Lads
Jun 30, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Comment #9Don’t people see our 2 points from four games as a bad run?
We didn’t give up then and I’ve seen nothing 9other than negative comment on here) to think otherwise
GeordieGerman
Jun 30, 2010 at 7:28 PM
Comment #10Ed,
you seem to have forgotten one line from Harper.
“We’re all prepared to give 110% for this football club and everybody is pulling in the right direction”.
You realize what he’s saying? That our team are proud to be Newcastle players, that our team are not just after their pay cheques. Oh they want their wages (who doesn’t) but think about our team now and then think about Owen, Duff and the rest of them mercenary “pregnant goldfish” and then think about who you would rather have playing for us… !
BlacknWhite Barmy
Jun 30, 2010 at 9:38 PM
Comment #11out of interest has the points system changed for next year – I assume its 3 pts for a win and 1 for a draw – have they introduced points for ‘positive environment’, ‘crap owners’ and ‘2nd rate strips?? if so the champagne is on ice for next May – Sorted
boater
Jun 30, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Comment #12I have never heard such a bunch of bleedin moaners and we aint kicked a ball yet.
Whatever happened to our summer of quiet content? We ended on a high folks – we have a shrewd intelligent young manager and a decent set of players pulling in the same direction.
We have talented younger players like carroll, guthrie, routledge, jose, krul, vuckic, simpson – none are perfect but hell it’s a start.
I can only assume the disappointment od watching england has put you all in a mare. But actually bearing in mind our only WC player is still in the tournament that could now be to our advantage – I expect to see terry, green, barry, upson et al struggle a bit next season on the back of that world cup horror show.
darthkir
Jul 1, 2010 at 3:04 AM
Comment #13The reason why we were relegated was because of the mental state & attitude created by the instability at the club, plus the poor attitude shown by many players. In terms of technical capabilities we are decent. So, if the club manage to provide a positive environment where the players & the management can actually perform as a unit with high morale, Newcastle will be far from danger.
Norwegian_geordie
Jul 1, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Comment #14Totally agree with you “boater”!
I’m more frightened reading these comments than I am of Man U in our first game next season.
First of all. If there is a “Terrific positive environment” in the dressingroom and amongst the players. THAT is a start, it’s the best start.
We’ve had lots of players fighting for positions some years ago. The problem was they wasn’t only fighting for positions.. There were such a negative mood surrounding the club that no matter which players we would have brought in they would’ve been crap!
A great atmosphere is the best way to start building a club and lets face it, that is what we’re doing here!
greekgeordie
Jul 1, 2010 at 8:44 AM
Comment #15What a lot of Crap coming from some of the so called newcastle fans on the site, same all story as last summer, and instead of praising what the manager players and all the staff at NUFC have done since last July they only speak of doom and dispare. Give the lads a chance and start giving your pathetic opinion around October and not before the tem has not even started to get together for pre season preparations.
We do not need you around let us look forward to out next season.