Which keeper would you get rid of in the summer?

It’s looking likely that Newcastle will be without one of their two promising goalkeepers next season, if you go by what Alan Pardew says of course.

It’s a position in which we have been well stocked in over the years, but with Steve Harper getting on and one of either Tim Krul or Fraser Forster being moved on it could become another weak spot, especially if injury was to occur to whoever was our first choice at the time. We’d still have two great keepers of course, but I’d actually like to keep all three with one eye on the future.

It was perhaps inevitable that one would be moved on, and it’s inevitable that it will be either Krul or Forster. Put simply, both of them will want to be playing in a first team in the future, and if they are both getting in each others way it will prvent that from happening so it’s best that one does make way.

With no plans to recruit a keeper in the summer it seems likely that young Ole Soderberg will make the step up to be third choice next season, although Alan Pardew admits that he still hasn’t made up his mind who will be our number one for next season. Pardew told the Sunday Sun:

“In the summer I do not intend to bring a keeper in – our three goalkeepers will be on an even keel probably, with Harps just having the edge because of what he has done this season. Tim and Fraser have to come here in pre-season and be challenging.”

“One will have to go out and one needs to threaten Harps or take his position – that is what the club is about. We cannot keep them both at the club, we don’t want to.”

So now you have a bit of background on the situation, I’d like to ask which goalkeeper you would get rid of in the summer?

Let’s first take a look at Fraser Forster who has impressed during his season long loan at Celtic where the experience of playing in front of large crowds and in intense atmospheres such as the Old Firm derby will be the ideal preparation for him to become the long term number one at St James’ Park. His previous loan spell at Norwich will also have been key to his development and the fact that he is local lad as well is of course a nice little bonus.

Tim Krul has also had his chances this season though, mainly due to the injury to Steve Harper and has done alright in a few games. He has also had a few dodgy moments though and I feel much safer with Harper back between the sticks.

There are games which really stick in the mind when you mention Tim Krul though, such as his debut in Palermo back in 2006 and his cameo appearance in the draw against West Brom at the start of our season in The Championship. Both were fantastic performances that helped get us a result on the day.

Krul signed a new long term deal not so long back, so he is either tied down for the next few years or his fee is being fattened up by the length of his deal. Take your pick on that score.

So who to keep then? As I said, I’d like to keep both but realistically it isn’t going to happen, so if I had to keep one at the club it would be…………. Fraser Forster, but then that may be me being a little bit biased! I say it’s biased because both me and Forster are Hexham lads so it’s only natural that I’d stick with him.

It would be harsh to let Krul go, but I feel that we would get a better fee for him and wouldn’t lose out as we would have the ability of Forster. It’s a tough call, but that’s my opinion. Now I want yours!

[poll id=”9″]