Goal Keeping dilemma - Should we sell Harper?

If at the end of the season we decide Krul will be number 1 then could we offer Harper a coaching role

 

That's a load of ****e. Harper is reluctant sometimes because he's experienced and has to carefully decide whether to come off his line or not. Sometimes Krul comes out when it's very risky, and imo it's only a matter of time before it'll be the wrong decision and it'll cost us goals. However, he'll learn from that. Harper has almost 20 years of experience as a keeper. He dwarfs the experience of Krul and it often shows, even if Krul is more skilled and has better reflexes in other ways.

And coming off the line has nothing to do with commanding the defence.

 

I never said coming off the line was part of commanding the defense. I said Krul normally comes and collects the ball better and is generally in better positions than Harper. Kruls got good positional awareness and sharpness, Harper is better at communicating. There's a difference between positional and tactical awareness and commanding the defense.

In my opinion Krul has better instincts, Harper has better a better tactical brain obviously because of his experience.

 

Indeed; get your defence sorted out and one can stay on the line.

Speaking as an ex-keeper in the lowest of the lowest leagues, that is.

 

Krul made another krucial save today. Think it's going to be hard to dislodge hm now, but Harper needs to be shown some respect for his loyalty over the years.

 

Krul has improve remarkably since coming back into the team and deserves a run until the end of the season, however sell Harper no chance.

 

I'd have Krul 1st choice, Harper 2nd choice and if Norwich get promoted - let them have Forster on loan and see if he is Prem class - if he is then keep him and if he isn't then just sell him. Simples

 

Forster to a prem team on loan, Harps number 2, then our best keeper, Mr Tim Krul as the number 1. Soders to a League 1/Champ team.

 

I kinda see your point however, in my opinion, there really is no logic- besides being very disrespectful to a very loyal servant that is Steve Harper. He's only got a couple of seasons left in him and will see his career out here, no doubt. A decent season in one of the top 2 sides of the SPL is hardly the greatest of achievements; get Forster out on loan to a PL club to properly judge him and see what he is capable of at this level. Stick with Harper as number 1 and Krul at backup in the meantime.

 

No, thats a load of ****e. Good as Harper is at shot stopping his biggest weaknesses are command of his defense (I miss the days when you could hear Shay shreaking from my seat on the halfway line) and coming off his line for corners, crosses etc, i.e. command of his box. He's nicknamed Subutteo keeper where I sit for good reason, he won't move out further than his pole lets him!

Good keeper, but those 20 years of experience have come in only 180 games, nearly half of which were in the last 2 years. Loyalty is important, but if its holding back two better keepers then he has to be dropped.

 

This

Why would anyone buy Harper? He is 35 and only got a few seasons left.

Next season, Krul first choice, Forster back-up and for cup games, Haper as goalkeeping coach or a coach at the academy. Our 4 young keepers (Krul, Forster, Soder, Alnwick) could all benefit from him being there.

 

Krul impressed against Man U and after watching last night's MOTD he did a good job, wish I could say the same about the other's.

Don't know if Harper is still injured but I dont think Krul should be dropped for game against Liverpool.

 

“GENTLEMAN” Steve Harper deserves to be recognised as one of the Premier League’s greatest goalkeepers.

That is the verdict of honorary president of the goalkeepers’ union Bob Wilson as he continues an incredible charity cycle ride around Premier League stadia which will end in a blaze of glory at St James’ Park on Thursday afternoon.

The long-serving Newcastle shotstopper might be facing a fight on his own doorstep to reclaim his starting spot from emerging talent Tim Krul.

However, Wilson – who made more than 200 appearances for Arsenal in a storied career - believes there is no debate about Harper’s place in the roll of great Premier League-era stoppers.

He said: “He sometimes slips under the radar outside Newcastle, but make no mistake Steve is one of the very, very best.

“We like to talk of a goalkeepers’ union because we are the only ones who know what goalkeepers go through, and every member of that would recognise what a good goalie Steve is.

“I think the word is solid. He does all the fundamentals so well - you just hardly ever see him make a mistake.

“Sometimes if your positioning is so good you do not need to make a flying top- corner save and that is Steve, although he can make those saves as well.

“He was probably unlucky that Shay (Given) was so outstanding while he was there.

“If he was a few years younger I have no doubt England would have come calling.

“I have huge admiration for his loyalty to Newcastle United.

“He is just totally and utterly committed to the club, through rain and shine.”

Perhaps Wilson also recognises a kindred spirit in Harper.

One-club men are something of a dying breed these days, but there is something else Wilson believes they share – an appreciation of the privileged position the game has given them.

He added: “When we did research in the early days of the Willow Foundation we noticed there were certain regions where we were not really recognised.

“The North East was one, which surprised us because we all know how fabulously generous the people are.

“So we had an event and we asked Steve (Harper) if he would become involved.

“His attitude was ‘No problem - just name the time and place.’

“Sure enough he gave so much of his time – he was just brilliant and has always been supportive since.

“I just thought it was a fantastic gesture and I said ‘thank you’ to him. Steve understands totally how lucky we all are to be involved in the game and I know he is involved in many good causes.

“It probably sounds funny but I see him as a bit of a Bob Wilson in the game now, because he has played for one club, because he hs come into the game from the lower leagues and had to work for it.

“It is a different game from when I played. Not just financially, but also the game’s profile and the way some of the players behave.

“It is nice to know the gentlemen of the game like Steve still exist. I am really looking forward to meeting him again.”

So, sell him? No he deserves to see his playing career out here and a move on to the coaching staff. Repay his loyalty.

 

Krul should play until he loses form and Harper therefore earns his place back, but no, we should not sell Harper, what a horrible thing to do.

 

Then lets loan Forster out again then.

 

I'd never sell Harper and would play him until Krul is better than him which at the moment is progressively taking shape. Forster isn't as good as Krul and if we get offered anything over £3m + sell ons and apps etc we should do business.

 

Hadn't heard Bob Wilson's comment but that's praise indeed from one of the best ever keepers.

 

Forster just made a mistake there, lucky not to have conceded from the corner.

 

havnt seen foster play at all in the last 2 year tbh so i cant judge him! heard good things tho, but id never dream of dropping harpr, with all his experiance and with us just coming back from the championship, next season is a massive season and i know id rather have a genrally reliable experienced keeper then a relitvely untested 1 for the next season, then were back to being an established force in the premier league (next season hopfully) harper could be our keeper coach and then let krul/foster fight it out!

 

Harps is still number 1 and with good reason - he's the finished article whereas Krul & Forster are still learning. They can continue to learn from Harps who should stay on as a GK coach after he retires.

Sell Steve Harper after all his years of loyalty and wanting to play for no other club except Newcastle United?

Haddaway and ****e man.