New generation of keepers will do United proud

Mar 13 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

STEVE Harper has admitted he and Shay Given are starting to look nervously over their shoulders at the exciting new generation of goalkeepers at Newcastle United.

United have been fortunate for the last 11 years to have two of the best keepers in the Premier

League in Harper and Given, but it is starting to look as though that is a situation which could continue after their departure.

With Given nursing his way back to fitness following another groin injury, Harper is back in Kevin Keegan’s starting line-up and has already underlined his top-flight credentials with a string of fine saves. But, with the two rivals now into their thirties, they know they may also have some new competition for the goalkeeper’s jersey at St James’s Park in the not-so-distant future.

“Shay and I are always very supportive of each other and it’s no different this time,” said Harper, who will once again be in goal when Newcastle travel to Birmingham City for their vital relegation clash on Monday night.

“I’ve not seen much of him because I’ve been out training and he’s been having treatment, but when I have done he’s like a bear with a sore head like he always is when he is injured.

“I think we’re starting to feel our age, I’m 33 on Friday and feeling older by the day and there is a group of young goalkeepers coming through behind us who are making us feel old as well.”

Fraser Forster has been the first choice for the reserves this season as Dutch prospect Tim Krul was on loan at Scottish Premier League side Falkirk before a shoulder injury ended his season, while Swedish teenager Ole Soderberg has also signed for the club this year. And Harper, who joined Newcastle from Seaham Red Star when he was just 18 in 1993, is particularly complimentary about the progress made by the 19-year-old Forster.

“Fraser has come on superbly in the last 18 months. Kids normally go on a gentle learning curve, but I’ve never seen a goalkeeper progress as much in 18 months as Fraser has. He’s doing really, really well. I think next season Fraser will go on loan somewhere, which is what I did and it’s what a lot of young goalkeepers have to do. If he does well there I think he can go on to do great things.

“I don’t want to put him under too much pressure, but he could become a top keeper. A lot of young kids don’t listen, but Fraser is like a sponge, he takes it all in. When young players go out on loan it’s sink or swim time, but I’m sure he will swim.”

But is not just Forster who has caught Harper’s eye and he feels the rivalry between Forster and Krul, as well as Soderberg, could be a fascinating one in the years to come. Harper added: “Big Ole has got all the attributes to be a top goalkeeper, his size and he’s got a great left foot, but it’s going to take him a little while to get used to the speed of the ball. Once he has settled in he will be fine, I was raw when I came here.

“Then there is Tim Krul and the rivalry between those two could be just as intense as it has been between me and Shay. They’ve both got a lot of potential and that’s great, I’m sure it is the ideal scenario for the club. If they keep on improving, they might be pensioning me off sooner than I thought.

“Tim had a dream debut against Palermo in the Uefa Cup last season, but he’s been a bit unlucky since then. He’s done his knee in a couple of times and he’s just got back from Falkirk after dislocating his shoulder.

“It’s a shame because, when he first went to Falkirk things didn’t go too well and they were letting a lot of goals in, but they have turned it around and Tim was doing well. I’m sure he will push on again next year.”