Kevin Keegan has said today what many Newcastle fans know already - that Steve Harper is an excellent goalkeeper for Newcastle United.
Steve Harper - one excellent goalkeeper
Kevin talked about Steve today and made sure everybody knew who signed the player 14 years ago: 
“I signed him, and if someone had said he would end up being as good a goalkeeper as he is, I’d probably have said ‘You’re dreaming a bit there’. But he’s an excellent goalkeeper.”
”We’ve got two excellent goalkeepers here, and when we made the decision with Shay, it was made easier to get him right and do what was right for Shay because we had Steve Harper.”
“That decision was easier than trying to patch him up and send him out, because definitely a 90% Shay isn’t the same as a 100% Steve Harper for me.
“He’s a very, very good goalkeeper in his own right, as he has proved. We have got two very good goalkeepers, that’s what he’s proving at the moment.”
If we do avoid relegation then Steve Harper, if he continues his current form as we expect, will be one of those players who stood up to be counted and kept the team from a humiliating relegation, through their skill and guts.
It’s Steve’s big chance and he’s taking it with both hands, just like we’d expect any local lad to do.
Comments welcome.
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Benn..Geordie Down South // Mar 29, 2008 at 14:47
Steve Is Staking His Claim For The Number 1 Shirt Next Season.. Fair Play..
2 IrishMan // Mar 29, 2008 at 16:17
He is still not up on your banner, though, Ed.
3 rlw // Mar 29, 2008 at 16:34
Good for you harper should have got your chance a long time ago.
4 Pan // Mar 29, 2008 at 16:57
Our best keeper in my opinion. Like I’ve said before, will Given be so loyal if Harper is given proper chance next season and Given is on bench?
5 Macca // Mar 29, 2008 at 17:52
Harper’s done well, I still think Given’s the better keeper and I think Keegan does as well, when he says that
” a 90% Shay isn’t the same as a 100% Steve Harper”
Which makes me think that he thinks 100% Given is better then 100% Harper.
It’s just a thought. Anyway, it’s about time Keegan used his head, putting off Given’s surgery was pointless and unfair on both keepers, not only was it kinda insulting Harper in a way but it was leaving Given in pain and with a chance of doing even more damage if he slipped or dived he could have pulled it again. This way Harper who’s a perfectly capable second keeper to throw his hat into the ring and Given has the chance to beat the bloody groin problem once and for all and be back 100% right for next season.
6 scotty // Mar 29, 2008 at 19:29
Should be number 1 - given to move on.
7 Zx // Mar 29, 2008 at 19:57
Harper for England!
Fabio! He is way better than Kirkland…GIVE HIM A CALL!
8 Thomas // Mar 29, 2008 at 20:27
In the times Harper has played this season (apart from against the big four) I think he has been more of a presence for the back four, dunno if he is more vocal and assertive but it would be interesting to see of the statistics support this.
9 rlw // Mar 29, 2008 at 21:23
Macca would you f***k off just like harper for once and we all seen the post were you said you supported sunderland.
10 Leo // Mar 29, 2008 at 23:52
macca i totally agree with you, bloody hell. is that a first haha
11 Macca // Mar 30, 2008 at 1:44
Leo..ya now I’m a little bit scared LOL!!
12 mitch // Mar 30, 2008 at 7:19
Harper No 1english keeper I also think he gives the defence more confidence
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