There’s no doubt Newcastle have enjoyed a wonderful season, whatever happens in the last 6 games still to play.
Tim Krul – looks pleased at final whistle on Friday
And if someone had said last August that Newcastle had a chance to make the top four with 6 games to go, we would have been asking what they were smoking.
But that’s the position Newcastle find themselves in, and it looks at worst that Newcastle will finish in 6th place in the Premier League being 12 points above 7th placed Everton, with only 18 points to play for.
One of Newcatsle’s best players this season, in his maiden season between the sticks for the Magpies is Dutchman Tim Krul, who has been one of the very best Premier League goalkeepers.
Tim thinks the good times could be back at Newcastle, as he had this to day today:
“It’s been incredible,” “The good times are back at Newcastle – just keep believing.” “We have to believe that we can qualify for the Champions League and keep winning our games.”
“Bolton is the first one, Stoke at home as well, those are the games we have to win to keep the pressure on the top four or five. Maybe we can sneak in, but we have to take it game by game.”
“We set a target to win seven of the last ten games of the season and we’ve won four. It’s down to team spirit. Everyone is willing to work for each other.”
“The whole defence has been absolutely great recently,” “The boys at the back did their job superbly at Swansea. They cut out what could have been some tricky through passes.”
“There were a couple of swerving shots for me to save, but it was great to get another clean sheet.” “Swansea is not an easy place to go to, so to come away with three points was great.”
“Hopefully, with a sell-out crowd on Monday, we can get another three points.”
The back five were great on Friday and we have to give special mention to Mike Williamson, who has looked as solid as a rock in the last few games.
And the 28 year-old had again come through for Newcastle when it mattered , and what a but this lad had been for £1M.
Tim Krul joined Newcastle as a 17 year old back in the summer of 2005 and has often said his goals in football are to be the number one at Newcastle and for Holland.
Well he’s the number one form Newcastle now and he cannot be too fat away form displacing Holland number one choice Maarten Stekelenburg, now at Roma.
It says a lot when Newcastle are without their two top center-back Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor, Newcastle were still as solid as a rock in defense on Friday in South Wales.
Let’s hope we can get the win this afternoon which would be great and be five wins on the trot – when it matter at the business end of the season.
For the record Tim Krul has now played 36 times for Newcastle this season and 70 times in total, and he has been in magnificent form throughout the season for the Magpies.
Keep it up Tim,.
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:16 AM
Comment #1Top keeper at a top club…well a soon to be top 4 club 🙂
The belief within the team is amazing. The type of spirit that can help carry the team through to the end of the season. Let’s all jump on board and enjoy the ride
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Comment #2“They have been under the radar really until now but they have a good squad up there and Alan Pardew has done a fantastic job. They are not up there by luck.” – Harry Redknapp
Obviously shares the opinion of some on here that Pardew has not a clue and we’ve been lucky.
Genuine contenders for CL. Alan Pardews Black and White Army!!! HWTL
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:24 AM
Comment #3So…team selection..
——————-Krul——————–
Simmo——Willo——Perch—–Santon
—————— Cabaye——————
————Gosling————Guti——–
——Arfa————Cisse————-BA
Is what I think we may see today. Not seen any updates on knocks etc, but can see Pardew sticking with the same defence. With the way the back 2 have performed he may want to keep colo rested and properly ready for stoke. Might fancy Perch back in DM though, which may result in a change.
Not sure why, but I also get a feeling Shola might be in with a game soon. I hope not, he’s been a great option from the bench recently.
Toonboy_84
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Comment #4I hope demba grabs a couple today. Would do him the world of good.
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:34 AM
Comment #5Toonboy…Agreed. He was everyones hero for the first part of this season, now all he’ll hear and see is how people think he’s going to go but it’s Ok as Cisse’s doing so well. A few goals and to here the toon army screaming his name at SJP will do the trick.
Still want cisse to grab another goal though, what’s that you say 10 in 9? Yeah, that’s right 🙂
Tsunki
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:35 AM
Comment #6Reading between the lines Pardew has been very fortumate and has had all easy games to ay so far 🙂
Who would have thought, eh? As long as we treat our oppositiom with respect we shouldn’t slip up, but a draw away for clubs lile bolton are massive points and they could dig in hard and frustrate us. We need the 3 magic keys to get behind an 11–man defence today! HWTL! 😉
CODARM (The poster formely known as Ibizatoon)
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Comment #7Tsunki…
Cisse can score against anyone 🙂
r and r
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:51 AM
Comment #8I disagree Codarm, Gosling wouldn’t be my choice to start game.
He looks slow and ball watching.I go Ryan Taylor in midfield .he’s been a fantastic player this season and can play in a variety of positions ,plus what a free kick taker !
4-1 to the TOON
carrollsinger
Apr 9, 2012 at 9:56 AM
Comment #9I was going to put a bet on cisse when he joined that he would score more goals the Carroll and Torres combined this season
Im feeling so sick right now! I didn’t do it
If Demba Ba was in Call of Duty.. (Formerly toonfan_Ew Ew)
Apr 9, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment #10Always thought up until a couple months ago that this season had been all down to luck but scrapped that view now haha, genuinely loving the current team under Pardew at the minute! Ba to score today. Codarm, gotta agree with r & r and replace gosling with raylor. Gosling looked so promising at Everton, aside from coming back from his injury I dont know why he isn’t fully cutting it. Bring him on as a sub later on in the game.
MrToon
Apr 9, 2012 at 10:34 AM
Comment #11anyone see the interview with S taylor on soccer am? he was asked who the slowest players in the team where. he’s reply ” Dan Gosling or Ryan Taylor , both run like they have a caravan on their back”.
I would rather have a bit more pace in a three man mid.
Toon! Toon!
Apr 9, 2012 at 10:43 AM
Comment #12If we can get some big wins against the lower teams, it would do our goal difference the world of good! 🙂
AmericanMagpie
Apr 9, 2012 at 10:53 AM
Comment #13I love Tim’s optimism. Pardew keeps trying to stray away from the Champions League talk, Krul seems to welcome it and relishes the challenge.
Good for him.