So far there have been plenty of plaudits aimed in the direction of Newcastle’s attack force and not enough given to the defence and the goalkeeper, who have done a good job seeing through the Magpie’s results. I’d like to redress that balance as best as I can. Tim Krul has been excellent for Newcastle thus far this season and his importance to the team was underlined as he helped them secure a 2-1 victory over Wolves.
He’s not only a top shot-stopper, but also has remarkable control and command of his area and isn’t afraid to come and collect crosses when this is necessary. For me he was easily Man-of-the-Match against Wolves and if a lesser goalkeeper had been between the sticks I doubt Newcastle would have escaped with three points.
He’s also an adept ‘time-waster’ in the best sense of the word.
At just 23-years-old you get the feeling that Krul is going to keep getting better and better. On current form I doubt if there is a keeper outside of a ‘top 6’ club that is as adept as Tim.
I have to say his development has taken me by surprise. It wasn’t so long ago that groups of Newcastle fans were clamouring for his sale. But things change quickly in football and he’s looking better as each week goes by.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has made a habit of sticking by players who have been performing well for him and the team. But that works both ways, if you don’t perform there’s every chance that you’ll find yourself sidelined. Tim is under no illusions and knows he has to keep up the hard work:
“The manager told me at the start of the season, ‘you have to show me every week you have earned the shirt.’ That is what I have been trying to do.
“It is a long season, though, and I do not feel as though I am No.1 yet. I am very focused and taking every game at a time.”
Krul may not yet be a fully established Newcastle no. 1, but he’s certainly earned a starting position next week and a bit of laxity from fans should he make a slip-up. And should he continue in this vein there’s every chance he’ll start to get the plaudits and the credit that he deserves.
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Although I agree with you that Tim Krul will be our most important player…I think it’s absolute nonsense to claim that “It wasn’t so long ago that groups of Newcastle fans were clamouring for his sale.” You clearly don’t read any of the Newcastle blogs/local papers and have probably got this ‘fact’ from one of the southern based newspapers that make this sort of thing up only to sensationalise and cause trouble. This is lazy and poor journalism at best.