Super stopper Krul is the talk of the Toon after his heroics against Spurs... But what is the Dutchman's story and how about his X-Factor audition in front of Shearer
It was a typically windswept morning at Newcastle United’s North Tyneside training headquarters.Tim Krul, a lanky 19-year-old in danger of being blown away by the gusts, was conducting a press interview.
Steve Harper, Krul’s senior goalkeeping comrade, drifted by before delivering a mimicking, if affectionate, holler: ‘I want to be number one, I want to be number one.'
While taking the mick, it was an ode to the youngster’s ambition.
For Krul, despite his tender, teenage years, was indeed relaying to reporters his appetite for elevation, his aspirations were no big secret.
Six years on and that same gangly goalie has just set a new Premier League record for saves – 14 – in one match.
It was against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday that Krul - like the legend of compatriot Hans Brinker, the Dutch boy who saved his country by putting his finger in the dyke – stemmed a timeless tide of home attacks, repelling wave after wave of assaults on his goal.
It was an impregnable performance and one which saw journalists renege on the unwritten rule of not awarding a 10/10 merit mark.
But what is the story of the man who everyone is talking about? Just when will one of the bigger boys come calling? And didn't he once have to sing in front of Alan Shearer? Sportsmail takes a closer look…
Krul intention: Tim Krul made a record number of
14 saves for a Premier League match during Newcastle's 1-0 win at Spurs
on Sunday
Let's go back to the start, how did he arrive in the North-East of England?
ADO Den Haag followers may want to look away now. For Krul, having progressed through the ranks of his hometown club, was snapped up by Newcastle before he had signed professional terms with ADO.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport did later rule that £220,000 in compensation was owed to the despairing Dutch outfit, but that was a small price to pay for the talented teen who would become a future international.
That was in 2005, how did he do during those early years?
A team-mate of Andy Carroll, Krul played a key role as United’s under-18 side made it to the semi-final of the 2006 FA Youth Cup. His mentality – that unrelenting hunger to progress – coupled with his shot-stopping ability soon caught the eye on Tyneside and he was rewarded with a place on the bench for a UEFA Cup tie in August, 2006.
Tonn-mates: Krul and Andy Carroll were youth-team colleagues at Newcastle
So it was a good start, just don't mention his initiation song when, in front of Shearer, Shay Given and Harper as the jury members of an X-Factor panel, he stumbled through a tune by Lamar.
The senior trio took pity, though, and excused the youngster the forfeit of a 'dirty' milkshake given the language barrier. It's probably the only time the unflappable Dutchman has ever been nervous!
Jury service: Alan Shearer and Shay Given were on the panel when Krul performed in the club's very own X-Factor competition
So when did he actually make his senior debut?
In November, 2006 Newcastle journeyed to Sicily for a UEFA Cup match against Palermo. And, in the heart of mafia country, it was Krul who was boss. Then just 18, his heroics helped the Magpies to a 1-0 victory.
It was a dream debut and, given its exotic location, one which entered black-and-white legend. His post-match interview proved just as popular, the startled starlet simply repeating the word ‘unbelievable’. It was hard to disagree. Unbelievable.
Euro star: Krul enjoyed a stunning debut during a UEFA Cup win in Palermo
Well done: Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder embraces his star debutant in Palermo
He didn’t play again for Newcastle until 2009! What happened?
He wasn’t just banished to the reserves and forgotten about, now that would have been unbelievable. Instead, prior to a League Cup tie at Watford just five days later – a game he was due to start – Krul caught the attention of all inside Vicarage Road when he collapsed to the turf in obvious discomfort during the warm-up.
A cartilage injury was the cause of his pain and he spent the remainder of the season on the sidelines. Unbelievable.
Did he get a look in when he returned?
In short, no. Newcastle had a new manager – Sam Allardyce – and Given and Harper were vying for the No.1 jersey. Sensing the need for first-team exposure, Krul angled for a loan move and was duly dispatched to the Scottish Premier League with Falkirk.
Sky's the limit: Krul moved to Falkirk in 2007 to gain some first-team experience
His introduction was harsh one, shipping four against Celtic and seven at Rangers. He was magnificent for the Bairns until, during an FA Cup match at Aberdeen in January, a dislocated shoulder called time on his stay north of the border.
The following season he was loaned to Carlisle United but was recalled in January following the sale of Given.
Hadn’t Fraser Forster emerged at Newcastle by this point?
Indeed he had. And, during that period, opinion was split inside the club as to who was higher in the keeping order.
This was evidenced by their rotation as deputy to Harper. Shearer duly arrived as manager for the final eight matches of that ill-fated campaign and very quickly made a decision that Krul was his preferred back-up choice.
Rival: Fraser Forster, now of Celtic, came through at the same time as Krul at Newcastle
So at one point Newcastle had Given, Harper, Forster and Krul – that’s a fairly decent quartet!
It certainly is. Only one, however, remains on Barrack Road. Given, disillusioned with life as the club crashed from one crisis to another, exited for Man City, while Forster set off on his own loan odyssey.
Krul made his first appearance for United in nearly three years on the opening day of the Championship season at West Brom in 2009 when he replaced the injured Harper at the break.
Glove affair: Steve Harper and Shay Given were the first-choice goalkeepers when Krul was coming through at Newcastle
Forty-five minutes later and, in his own words, Krul reflected on an ‘unbelievable’ half. The netminder’s heroics had protected a point for the second-tier newcomers as ‘Timmy, Timmy Krul’ rolled down from the away masses at The Hawthorns.
The Geordies were subsequently promoted although, in fairness to the form of Harper, Krul warmed the bench for much of the season.
Saving the day: Krul's first league appearance came at West Brom in August, 2009 and he was again man-of-the-match
How did he eventually see off Forster and Harper then?
When Krul got his chance to shine he sparkled and, by the start of the 2011/12 campaign, he was the first name on the team-sheet. As had been his ambition all of those years previous, he was now number one.
Forster was forced to spend three seasons on loan at Norwich City and Celtic before making permanent his move to the latter, while Harper headed for Hull City during the summer.
Why have none of the big boys come calling for Krul?
By the time this goes to press they might have done! Sunday’s impassable show has won him headlines around the world and is sure to have alerted Europe’s top clubs. Forster was last week linked with Barcelona, what price Krul renewing his rivalry in the white of Real Madrid?
Popular: Krul's team-mates know who they had to thank for Sunday's win
There has been speculation linking him with Arsenal and Manchester United but, for now, he remains at Gallowgate, contracted until 2017 – owner Mike Ashley isn’t daft when it comes to that sort of thing.
What about the Holland senior side?
That is no doubt a question Krul has pondered many a time. He has been capped on five occasions and is a regular squad member but, at present, the starting jersey resides on the back of Swansea City’s Michel Vorm.
A few more performances such as Sunday, however, and he could well be protecting the Dutch goal in Brazil next summer.
The future's bright: Krul is still hoping to become his country's No.1
What about Tim himself, what sort of character is he?
Relaxed, confident, affable - an all-round good guy who is as popular among team-mates as he is supporters.
It won’t come as a shock to learn that he models himself on Edwin van der Sar. The former Manchester United custodian once made a point of seeking out Krul following a match at St James’ Park and the pair spent a good quarter of an hour deep in conversation.
Double Dutch: Krul idolises former Manchester United and Holland goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar
Krul spoke to the press not long after and was asked how the conversation with van der Sar had been, ‘Ah, unbelievable’, he came back.
There was certainly only one word to describe his record-breaking efforts against Spurs. We’ll leave that to you to determine which…
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