Steve Harper has signed a new contract that keeps him at the Toon until 2005, at which point he will be 31.

The Journal reports that before agreeing to sign he sought assurances regarding his position. He is quoted "If the Manager has said I'd be the Club's No.2 for the next 4 years then I wouldn't have accepted the new contract offer. I have no complaints that Shay finished the season as No.1, but I'd like tot hink I have played a part in his good performances. I'll be pushing him all the way in pre-season training, and I'm certainly not staying here to be a Reserve.
My next contract was always going to be the most important of my career, but I love it here and when I'm out there in front of the Newcastle fans at SJP I can't imagine my future elsewhere".

Great attitude: very pleased he's staying, although I still believe that sooner or later one of them will feel the need to leave.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Answers

I think a platooning situation is the best thing. Let both know that they both are "number 1's" and split the duties according to fixture etc. We have two TOP keepers and why keep one and HAVE to let the other go. I don't see it as a problem.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Last time BR tried your suggestion sparxx Shay Given asked for a transfer. Sorry, but this won't work with keepers.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Sell Given. His attitude stinks and he doesn't respect the manager (trust me on this). Can't slide a fag paper between them performance- wise and Harper doesn't sod off to International games or spit his dummy out when he can't play every game.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

You need 2 class keepers unless you're lucky and your no1 keeps fit - as Smikel did @ Manure.

If they're both on decent length contracts at least we'll get something for them when they depart.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Interesting, Softie. I've not noticed much about Given, but it's very, very clear Harper gives his all, all the time, for NUFC. Even in training. My impression of Given is that he's in it more for himself, which is not a bad thing. For me that is the difference between the 2 of them though. And why, if one of them eventually goes, I'd miss Given alot less than Harper.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

My bet is that Harper will give it one more season. If he doesn't get a reasonable number of appearances next season I think you'll find him leaving.

As ciara suggests, I think Given is very self-centred and will not accept any rotation policy, in the way Harper might.

I feel sure one of these two has to leave eventually.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

It has to be now. Harper learns nothing from being in the reserves. Karelse is already in situ as an acceptable stand-in for injuries who doesn't appear to have an issue with extremely limited First Team options. With nothing too hopeful on the bairns front we could do a lot worse than get a whippersnapper with prospects and a big gob to learn the ropes at reserve level until he can challenge Harper.

Given has a decent reputation and presumably a matching market valuation. He can get as hoity toity as he likes about the defenders' part in his 2 clean sheets in 30 games, but they didn't gag him and I haven't seen him call for a cross yet. Harper, on the other hand, screamed all sorts of perfectly pertinent and grossly insulting advice to Messers Caldwell and Dabizas during the training session before the Villa game.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

My view of Given has changed recently Softie. After the dummy spitting episode I feel he got his head down after a variable career at SJP, which frankly had left me unconvinced.
Over the last 2-3 months or so of the season I thought he was consistently excellent, and for the first time in my mind edged ahead of Steve Harper.

Unless someone came in and offered silly money for Given - say £10 million - if I was BR I'd keep them both for the time-being, but I'd also be looking around for a young prospect in anticipation of what imo is the inevitable conclusion of this rivalry.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

oh dear Clarky, I agree with you, worrying

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

My thoughts exactly Clarky, hang on to both as long as possible and keep hunting for the eventual replacement in the youth system.

This is always a problem with goalkeepers. You have to have at least 2 and you can only ever play one. It is also best if the one gets a good run in the side and develops an understanding with those in front of him. So only injury (or a serious form lapse) will lead to the other guy getting a game. I like them both and would be gutted to see either go, but if I was forced to chose, I'd settle for the local lad. I guess that sooner or later some club will notice we have 2 of the very best keepers in the Premier and a bid will come in. I'm sure both are worth more than £5m although Harps has had little chance to prove this.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Right Macbeth - now regarding this little problem you seem to have with Gary Speed ...............

;-{)

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

What you all seem to forget is the crazy situation where goalies can get sent off for nowt. Not to mention form and injury. IMHO, all teams need two good keepers. We have that. What YBR has to do is keep both happy.

Given seems most interested in his international career. A word with Mick McCarthy might sort out that little teaser.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

If BR could keep them both happy there would not be a problem - but there's the rub.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001

Given won't be happy if he's not playing every match for which he is fit and available. Can't see that changing.

Harper is more willing to accept compromise if it's fair and gives him a reasonable number of games.

So what team has a player we'd love to get but can't afford, who also happen to be in need of a top keeper. Shay + a mil or two?

On a frivolous note -- for those concerned about who will take up the clapping reigns once Bartinho calls it a day, Harper stepped up to the plate after Spurs away and did a fantastic job. ;-))

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2001