Steve Harper happy with level of commitment

Nov 4 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

The 1-0 win, secured thanks to Ryan Taylor’s deflected shot early in the second-half, ended a run of two successive away defeats, allowing their promotion rivals to close the gap at the top of the table.

Newcastle’s lead is still only two points over West Brom and Harper knows their form was not good enough in October, particularly as they dropped four points at home to QPR and Bristol City.

However, the 34-year-old feels those problems are behind them as he looks for revenge against Peterborough on Saturday after their victory over a Newcastle reserve team in the Carling Cup.

He said: “Everybody has had a wobble and so have we. We were probably the last side in the division to have one, but it’s not been a great few weeks.

“We drew the two home games and lost two in a row away from home. That allowed the chasing pack to catch us up.

“We need to put another good run together and build a lead again.

“But we know, if we don’t match the standards we have set against Sheffield United we will wobble again – and then we will give hope to the teams behind us.”

And Harper added: “You have to be able to grind out results away from home.

“It’s always going to be difficult for teams coming to St James’ Park in front of 40,000 fanatical fans.

“We’ve got a great opportunity on Saturday.

“I think that all of the top seven or eight teams are all playing each other.

“I think we owe Peterborough one. A few of their players were milking it when they beat our young lads in the Carling Cup – so we’ll definitely be up for it.” Harper is relishing his status as first-choice stopper since the departure of Shay Given to Manchester City back in January, and he paid tribute to goalkeeping coach Paul Barron for his help.

He said: “I was busy at the end, but when you go to places like Sheffield United you have to win the battle.

“When the assistant referee put up five minutes of injury time they threw bodies forward and had a couple of overloads at the far post.

“I was happy with the two saves at the end.

“Perhaps when I was a younger goalkeeper I wouldn’t have saved them.

“But when you have gained a lot of experience you know you could be called upon at any time.

“I’ve been working on things with our goalkeeping coach Paul Barron and I give him credit for that.”