Jesus Christ. Some of the responses are laughable. He's 3rd choice ffs. Honestly we won't even see him this season.
Not bothered to be honest, lik it was said though, a wealth of experience for pickford to learn from.
Yeah it's a bit strange the responses. We had 2 keepers in the squad with 1 on loan which gave him experience he needed. We now get rid of a very high wage and bring back the loan keeper to replace him. Ability wise probably like for like. We then sign a third keeper who probably gets free meals and a bus pass for a contract to cover and give some experience. He is a local lad whether or not he played for Newcastle which is good(certainly doesn't strike me as a Lee Clark type of idiot especially at 40 years of age). So Sam has 2 good keepers, emergency cover and saved a whole heap of wages, great job all round. Amazing how this is the main story when we have a new striker and a game tomorrow!!!
I can see the logic of getting someone cheap and experienced in for a filler position. I'm not particularly happy about it being Harper but it's not a big deal. I'd have preferred us to promote the Polish lad from the under 21s or have a better look at any bargain young keepers with potential.
I've heard he's getting 2k a week, Pantilimon was on 30k. For me, that makes absolute and utter sense he will never ply a game but we are covered. It's a ****ty, piss take signing, but one with reason.
You sly bugger, almost had me there The signing makes perfect sense imo, although as others have said, in the extremely unlikely event that both Mannone and Pickford get injured I'd probably promote the Polish lad personally. £2k wages isn't a lot but every little helps as they say.
Steve Harper has had to delete his Twitter account. Why would he do that. Hmmmmmm To be fair think he was getting abuse from some of our lot too. People need to grow up.
Are people seriously getting upset about signing a 40 year old, 3rd goalkeeper as cover? Someone never ever likely to get anywhere near the pitch before the end of the season?
I think it's worth pointing out that third choice keepers certainly can be needed. An injury to Mannone and deputising youngster Pickford has an absolute mare every game, or the other way round, or more likely they could both pick up injuries. Haven't Newcastle almost been reduced to playing the tea lady in goal? Not a barrel of laughs in a relegation battle. Yes it's likely Harper will continue his rich tradition of getting paid to do **** all. But I wouldn't be so nonchalant as to say we could have signed an arthritic midget because we don't even need a third keeper. As unlikely as it is we could end up relying on Harper to keep us up. Stranger things have happened.
Fair enough, but how often does that happen? How many 3rd choice goalies have played in the PL in the last 23 years? I thin the odds are against it happening. Personally, I think signing Harper is a no-brainer.
Not very often mate but I have a tendency to hope for the best and expect the worst. Like I said I think Newcastle had or nearly had a keeper crisis this season.
To be fair the mags can't keep any of their players fit. We've signed crocks left right and centre and don't get a fraction of the injuries.
It makes sense... Although a number on here (me included) slated him for spending his career on the bench instead of moving to make something of himself!! He's now going to be lucky to get on the bench but at least were covered if we need it
We've got 16 games left this season. Both keepers are fit tomorrow so that leaves 15 games - no midweek cup games or anything else to add to potential injuries/suspensions. It would take a freak incident for him to even end up on the pitch. **** me, I'm more worried about the defenders in front of the keeper than our 3rd choice keeper.
