Now let’s win the league title: Harper

Apr 6 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVE Harper celebrated promotion back to the Premier League by setting Newcastle United the target of winning the Championship.

In the end they did not have to kick a ball to be promoted yesterday, but the Magpies nevertheless marked their restored Premier League status with a 2-1 win, albeit a slightly laboured one.

Afterwards goalkeeper Harper’s thoughts were on rounding off the season with the title.

He said: “It has been a long time coming.

“People can say what they like about the Championship, but this is a tough league mentally and physically. To be promoted with six games to go is an achievement.”

Harper already had another achievement in mind, however.

He added: “It has been very hard to shake off West Brom and Nottingham Forest.

“We have not won the Championship yet, so there is still work to do. West Brom will chase us to the end.”

Having managed Leeds United on their descent from the Premier League to League One, Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell put Newcastle’s promotion in context. He said: “Newcastle have got out at the right time. If you don’t get out quickly it is a long slog.