Steve Harper was probably right when he said Newcastle would have lost the game two months ago, against West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday, after going 2-0 down after just 23 minutes.
Steve Harper - goalkeeper in magnificent form
Steve continued his excellent form in goal with a wonderful game saving save, after 80 minutes, when he turned a Dean Ashton blockbuster over the bar.
After the game, Harper spoke to the Evening Chronicle:
“We were poor for the first half-hour, and a couple of months ago we would have caved in and lost the game.”“But we dug in and put right the wrongs, and went in at half time 2-2.”
“At 2-0 down after half-an-hour, it couldn’t have been much worse, but Oba scored a great goal and Geremi scored the second, and at half-time it was probably daylight robbery.”
“But that’s what we’ve got in this team – goals. Before, where we would have been dead and buried, we got ourselves back into it.” “It was just a shame we were poor for the first half-an-hour, because after that we did OK.”
“I don’t think we’re used to the heat – you can put it down to that!”
Steve is nothing if not a brutally honest player and Steve has always told it as it is. Steve continued about the two goals the defense conceded after just 23 minutes into the game, after conceding just two goals in the previous 6 games:
“We were disappointed at the two goals we conceded.” “For the first goal there was no pressure on the cross, and no-one was near him in the box. It was a good finish.”
“For the second goal, Ashton’s a big, strong lad, and we’ve let him turn.” “At 2-0 down we were up against it, but we’ve got goals in the team.”
“Ashton’s second-half shot was pretty central, and I was happy to get it over the bar.” “As bad as we were for the first half-an-hour, it was important to come away having not lost the game. It was a positive.”
That was a great save from Harper after 80 minutes and he did well to get the ball over the bar as the ball was moving like a bullet. But Steve seems to make at least one great save each game, to continue the magnificent form he has shown in Shay Given’s absence.
But it looks now as though Shay is over his groin problems so it will be a fight for the goalkeeper’s jersey next season, not to mention youngsters Fraser Forster and Tim Krul.
Comments welcome.
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45 responses so far ↓
1 Jim // Apr 28, 2008 at 14:20
SODE ALUKO… join the campaign!
Sign him.
2 ScottyT // Apr 28, 2008 at 14:30
said the same myself.. was at villa when villa equalised we collapsed and conceded another 3 to lose 4-1 embarassing really. but the team has turned round now and keegan has installed a great belief that we can come back after weve conceded and credit to him for that. heres hoping for an unbeaten end to the season and a great final home win vs chelski. HowaY!!
3 Jim // Apr 28, 2008 at 14:40
And I meant SONE ALUKO!
Really, he’s got all it takes to become a class attacking midfielder and only 19! He’s a Birmingham youth player since the age of 8 and is on loan to Aberdeen.
He even scored a great goal against Bayern Munich this season…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV-jPXfM0X0
…seeing as Youtube is in vogue. You won’t be able to find out much more about him yet but you will in a couple of seasons if he develops as he is doing now.
(Currently England U19 International)
4 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 14:40
I will be happy with a good performance against Chelsea. The result is not so important as they are miles ahead of us in quality and are fighting for the league. I will be over the moon with a draw though.
5 Oba // Apr 28, 2008 at 14:52
Harper is quality, such a good keeper to have in reserve, and he doesn’t mind being that type of player either. Our goalkeeping situation is perfect: Quality first team goalie, and international side keeper, Shay Given. Aging but still immense back up keeper, Steve Harper. Young, upcoming keepers who look very good, Tim Krul and Fraser Forster. No need to sign any goalies, or sell. That’s an area where we are one of the best in the league imo.
Going to be a tough game against Chelsea and I hope the lads give ‘em a good game. Whether we win, draw, or lose isn’t important imo, I just want to see us continue playing well.
6 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 14:59
Flamini is almost certain to leave Arsenal as they do not want to up his wages. Juve and Milan are favourites as he has Italian in his blood and is a lifelong supporter of Juventus. However, i feel Flamini is quite money orientated and if we just offer around 75k a week we could have a chance of landing him as Milan and Juve are said to be offering around 60k a week. We could also look to get him quickly as he will be out of contract at the end of the season and Arsenal wil be desperate to get some money out of a player who is worth around 15million. No doubt Milan and Juve will be waiting until he is free, i say we offer around 8 or 9million to Arsenal now and nick him from under their noses. After seeing his performances this season (especially against Milan where he gave Kaka nothing the whole match) i am certain he is better than Veloso
7 Leo // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:03
never heard of sone aluko….
8 Leo // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:04
that was a well taken goal though
9 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:06
guys we are apparently after PSG youngster Sakho, he is a decent young prospect
10 dougnufc // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:13
Sakho is amazing, I had him on FM lol
11 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:15
he will cost a bit though, cant see them letting him go for cheap
12 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:17
dougnufc
whenever i read your name when you post a comment i always think it says doughnut, lol, its quite annoying
13 dougnufc // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:18
lol that is what my mates call me in school to be honest
14 richie // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:22
flamini would b great signing and i would not b suprised if kk is watching that closely..
iv seen alot of ppl mention berba,,???no chance i would have thought….is this ppl dreamin or is there something in it
15 Jim // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:23
Leo…
That’s the point. He’s relatively unheard of but I’ve seen him play quite a bit this season and the guy’s electric. He can play at people from central or left side and almost always gets a cross in from deep if he’s kept wide. If you let him come inside he charges the goal and always makes use of the ball. This guy’s going to be good.
Aberdeen can’t afford him and Birmingham could do with the cash after their low finish if, of course, they stay up.
Google him and read what Birmingham FC say:
SONE ALUKO
16 dougnufc // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:25
Sakho seems be a little bit pricey
18mil pounds buyout clause
17 HeronMag // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:27
I thought Dean Ashton was outstanding against our defenders.
For me Ashton would be a great buy. Alan Shearer is a big fan of his. Of all people I’m sure he knows a good striker when he sees one!
18 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:28
where does it say that doug?
19 dougnufc // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:29
wikipedia 23euros = 18pounds
20 51times // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:30
Isn’t he already off to Milan?
21 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:30
spyro, where did u see this sakho malarky? great great player though
22 dougnufc // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:33
http://sports.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/04/28/Ligue-1-Sakho-scouted-by-Newcastle/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/
heres the link
23 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:34
setanta?
24 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:35
Sakh0 thing is here
http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/04/28/Ligue-1-Sakho-scouted-by-Newcastle/
25 dougnufc // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:36
yes it is on setana sport website
26 richie // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:45
bentley would b great but i reckon the pool will get em
27 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:56
wow! 18million, he is never worth that. We should pay around 12million at absolute MAXIMUM, how can they ever charge so much for him?! he is not Bojan for gods sake!
28 Hamas (51times) // Apr 28, 2008 at 15:57
Bentley is overrated because he’s English.
29 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:06
they rate him as the next thuram.
30 Charlie Bucket // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:11
Lamine Sakho wasn’t that good for Leeds I thought. Did well on his debut against us then faded, didn’t look comfortable in the premiership.
That said maybe he’s done well over there and he could be worth a second shot. Who are we to know?
31 Hamas (51times) // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:13
Bucket - What the f*ck are you on about?
32 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:14
its not lamine, its mamadou
33 deano // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:28
LET KEVEN KEEGAN BE IN CHARGE OF SPEAKING TO PLAYERS
NOT WISE HES A CLOWN
QUERSMER HES ONLY AT PORTO 16M
VAN DER VAAT HE S ONLY AT HAMBURG 15M
ZARATE 15M LIKE MESSI
VELOSO 15M
MOUTANO 15M
2 OF THESE
STRIKER
GOMIES10M
BREZENGA CB CLASS 13M
34 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:31
quaresma is trying to engineer a move away from porto
35 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:32
5 best signings-
Barzagli 8 million
VDV20
Diego 14
veloso 15
hamsek 10
36 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:33
where you here that about queresma spyro, i read the other day he is staying put
37 richie // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:36
spyro berba is a geordie fanatic, i say we spend on him,wat u think
38 Geordie Gerrard7 // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:46
i have always thought we would sign berbatov. lol
39 Jack // Apr 28, 2008 at 16:50
berbatov seems inconsistent though???
he shows touches of class and then goes quiet in the games ive watched him.
40 Tom_Toon // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:09
SWP for starters
41 Tripp // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:14
Berba’s attitude sucks. period. If that can be changed then it’s a different story.
42 Spyro // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:14
no richie i dont think Berba is for us, he wants champions league and that is the only reason he is leaving spurs. forget about him anyway, he has been average/decent this year, he aint worth the hassle
43 iffy // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:14
we need a cover left back, more top class midfielder and a world class striker
44 richie // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:20
i can see where ur coming from but id welcome him, richard dunne would b good but once again im not convinced hed sign
45 Charlie Bucket // Apr 28, 2008 at 17:59
Sorry I thought you meant the Sakho that played for Leeds.
Never heard of this other guy.
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