Rob Elliot has put things straight in an interview with the local press today – and he says that the first time he touched the ball in his Premier League career – his debut was on Sunday – was not when he picked the ball out of the net after 3 minutes when Southampton went ahead – because Yohan Cabaye had already done that.
Rob Elliot – in action in the Europa League earlier this season
It was an unnerving start for the 26 year-old, but after that Rob played very well in goal, and he played as well as he played earlier in the season, when he was excellent in some of the Europa League games and our Man of the Match on a couple of occasions.
Rob came to the club at the end of the 2011 transfer window for a nominal fee from Charlton Athletic, and he had this to say today:
“It’s been a year and a half roughly.” “I’ve played a few games this year in Europe and the cups, which has been nice.”But to play in the Premier League is the top one, the one you want to put against your name. I’ve finally got the opportunity and I want to make the most of it.”
“I’m gutted for Tim, he’s been fantastic this year. That’s the way it goes with goalkeeping.” “I just wanted to show everyone what I could do. The gaffer said to me, ‘Make sure you play your game and don’t try and do anything you normally wouldn’t’. It paid off.”
“That was a nice compliment.” “I work as hard as I possibly can in training, but the difference is Tim’s done it 100 times in the Premier League and at international level. I’m just really proud to have played my first game.” “I didn’t even get the chance to pick the ball out of the net at the start because Yohan Cabaye had got it already, so it was about seven minutes before I touched it.”
“It wasn’t the most ideal start, but as the gaffer said to me at half-time, it wasn’t going to get any worse than conceding in three minutes, so I just had to carry on doing what I was doing.” “It was a great performance from the lads to come back, come back again, and go and get that fourth goal.”
“If you’d told me six years ago that I would make my Premier League debut for Newcastle at St James’, I wouldn’t have believed you. It was a good day.” “Tim’s one of the best keepers around at the moment, not just in England, but also in Europe because he’s started playing for Holland too.”
“It’s great coming to work with him because that’s what I want to do – I want to be playing international football and in the Premier League.” “To train with someone who’s experiencing that and going through it at the same age I am is great, we talk and share ideas.”
“I’m genuinely gutted about his injury, but finger’s crossed it’s not too bad. I’ve never said I wanted Tim to get injured to get a game, but that’s the way it’s worked out. Tim called me on Sunday morning to wish me luck, and that’s the measure of the man.”
It was just after 10 minutes that Rob got his first touch of the ball – after looking at the video of the game again.
And we still don’t have the prognosis on Tim Krul and his ankle injury, but he’s likely to be out for four weeks or so – so Rob will have a run in the first team – including the two games in the Europa league coming up against Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala next month.
It’s a great chance for Rob to put in a challenge for Tim Krul’s  number one goalkeeper spot – and we hope he takes it – Rob certainly made a good start against the Saints.
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 us on Google+:
You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com
=============================================
11 comments so far
hotdog
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:42 AM
Comment #1REPOST – Slow down Ed 🙂
– hotdog // Feb 26, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Charlie – Dont fall into this trap that the club was built on Quicksand under Keegan please!
He is not immune from criticism and the reserves should/could have had more depth but look at the club from when he took over from how he left it and you have your answer. In fact next time you are in the ground have a look around at our stadium they are the real foundations built on Keegans success and yes the Halls. We all know they made a fortune out of the club but they took risks also. That is why they are wealthy business people.
Griff-toon
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Comment #2Good morning everyone!
I thinnk Elliot has mutch better distribution of the ball and that showed as he threw the ball half the pitch at the players feet.
But Krul is the better shot stopper atm and I also think more agile of the two. This will be an important test for Elliot.
veto
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Comment #3he had a decent game , wasnt sure at first but once he settled he’s left me confident about him stepping him when needs to .
his shot stopping will never be as good as krull, but he gives him a run for his money with his distribution and command of his area , i was really impressed with this from him , more so than krulls.
Shane
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Comment #4Showed us what he can do, commanded his area really well, caught and held the ball very well, seemed confident enough to bark orders at the lads which was good to see, great distribution, a throw with the power of Thor and topped it off with this, a great interview.
Toonboy_84
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Comment #5Doesn’t look a bad keeper at all this lad. Harper is a good keeper too, but I feel much more comfortable with Elliot between the sticks. If he plays well while Krul is away then ol’ Timmy boy might not get straight back in.
Transfer Sage
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Comment #6hotdog
Being built on quicksand is true to an extent though.
Keegan did a lot to get us in the top flight and challenge which allowed all the good things with the stadium etc to happen and get us the big club tag in the prem league era we still hold today.
The clubs was unsustainable due to mismanagement at the top by the owner/board. They are they ones blowing huge money on a combination of good players and past it has beens looking for a pay day.
If we continued as we had done we would have struggled financially eventually. The way football is going now with FFP (although i don’t like it and it will be toothless with the genuinely huge clubs) we needed to sort it out and those past owners wouldnt have sorted it.
Transfer Sage
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Comment #7I am now confident with seeing Elliott in the team. Prefer Krul but Elliott is a solid prem league keeper.
Graeme
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Comment #8Actually having now completed his debut and proven to himself that he can hold his own, must do him the world of good. I can see him pushing on and making a real improvement over the next 4 – 6 weeks Tim is out.
Hopefully he can put in 6 or 7 performances which makes it very difficult for Pardeaux to drop him when Tim is fully fit. Competition is healthy.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Comment #9Hot dog
As I said times were exciting but it could not last. managers wanted players – board agreed – Paid over the odds then paid them stupid money in wages and many of them were looking for a end of career payday
ArtyH
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #10Fantastic display at the weekend. Looks just a little out of shape, about 1/2 stone over weight, would be more agile if a bit lighter. That’s just an observation NOT a criticism! Hope Rob does really well for himself and the club.
James RS
Feb 26, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Comment #11Still not convinced about Elliott, both goals against Southampton were stoppable would Krul have stopped either of them yes I think so.Elliots distribution is good and he is a reasonable shot stopper but whether he would have achieved those incredible saves against Metalist that Krul did I doubt it.
Krul reads the game better knows when to come out whereas Elliot is unsure of that and there are also more goals about when he is between the sticks. I fancied a 3-2 Newcsatle win with him in goal whereas Id have fancied a 2-0 had Krul been there, and look at the 4-3 win over Forest. He still worries me but still an adequate number 2 I guess.