o `What a fantastic season it`s been,` goalkeeper sayso Harper played in Champions League under Bobby RobsonSteve Harper has admitted that Newcastle United`s fight for Champions League qualification this season has taken everyone by surprise.The 37-year-old goalkeeper, a veteran of the club`s last adventure on the biggest European stage under Sir Bobby Robson in 2002-03, started the campaign along with his team-mates targeting the top 10. However, a blistering start, barring the odd blip along the way, has continued largely unabated and they head into Sunday`s trip to Everton still in with a chance of finishing third in the Premier League. Newcastle have confounded their critics to exceed all expectations, and perhaps even their own.Harper said: `Sir Bobby built a young, counterattacking, real threat of a team and you could see it happening with Sir Bobby, whereas this season, the club was set up for the top 10. To be knocking on the door of a Champions League spot is real credit to everybody, and what a fantastic season it`s been.`Harper has had to take a back seat this season, with the 24-year-old Holland international Tim Krul having fully justified Alan Pardew`s decision to install him as his first choice, but the manager had praised the veteran on more than one occasion for his contribution in the dressing room.The Easington-born keeper, who spent a decade as Shay Given`s understudy at St James` Park, did play in the Champions League - perhaps most memorably in a 1-0 home victory over Juventus - and, having spent almost 19 years on Tyneside, is well-placed to assess the current situation.As a result of Chelsea`s 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday, Newcastle can finish no lower than fifth and at worst, will play in the Europa League next season. That is a remarkable achievement considering that they finished 12th a year ago at the end of their first campaign back in the top flight.Robson guided the club from 11th place at the end of the 2000-01 season i ...
|
