Krul: "I want to stay at this club for a long, long time"

Tim Krul has expressed his desire to stay at Newcastle for a "long time" as he eyes a place in the Holland squad for the European Championships next year.

Krul has been in great form so far this season and has come on in leaps and bounds since being awarded the number one goalkeeping slot ahead of Steve Harper and Fraser Forster at the time. His performances between the sticks have ensured that he has kept the shirt and have left many pundits describing as the best 'keeper in the league at the moment.

With that comes the inevitable transfer speculation amid rumours that Harry Redknapp is interested in taking the 23-year-old to White Hart Lane as a long-term replacement for Brad Friedel. Now obviously big money moves are something that make the majority of NUFC fans twitchy, but it seems as though any move away from the club is not even entering the mind of Krul.

"I want to stay at this club for a long, long time and, hopefully, because I am still only 23, I can do that," Krul told the Daily Mirror.

He continued: "I am loving life, and going to places like Old Trafford is special. Every game is bringing new challenges for me and it's up to me to keep rising to those challenges."

"I'm very pleased with my game at the moment and with the way things are going. To be honest, I couldn't have wished for better. We are answering a lot of questions as a team this season and everyone is playing their part."

Krul is a walking, talking advert for youth policy and demonstrates that it can pay dividends if it is persevered with. Remember he was initially brought in for nothing after failing to agree professional terms at his old club although the move subsequently cost Newcastle €220,000 as ADO De Haag demanded compensation for the youngster. In hindsight, it was €220,000 well spent.

However the youth policy will only work if those players get a chance to impress in the first-team. Krul was afforded that at the start of the season and has taken his chance with both hands. He said:

"The manager has always insisted that if you're good enough, then it doesn't matter how old you are. I've always firmly believed in that myself, and I'm just glad I've got my chance."

"Maybe in the past, 'keepers have traditionally been a lot older, but there are some top young goalkeepers around now and that's very important."

To be honest, I believe Krul is by far and away our best 'keeper at the moment and whilst Steve Harper is an able backup I don't believe the veteran is on the same level as the Dutch international. Timmy believes differently though and claims that the competition for places is so fierce that he can't afford to sit back and rest, especially with the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine coming up.

"To be in the squad for Euro 2012 would be the icing on the cake after what will hopefully be a successful season with Newcastle," said Krul when asked about a call up to the Dutch squad for the tournament.

"I can't rest on my laurels and I can't allow myself to relax, because I know Steve Harper and Rob Elliot are there to push me. I can't rest easy because I need to be on top of my game week in, week out."

Go get 'em Timmy!