Window Shopping: NUFC keepers

Up until about a week ago, the goalkeeping position was about as safe as houses. Shay was settled, Harper was set to sign a new deal and both Krul and Forster were waiting in the wings. Fast forward one week and we`re bombarded by uncertainty.

Shay`s statement has turned everything on it`s head. He wants to leave and who can blame him? The smart money looks to be on a £10m bid being too much for Ashley to resist, leaving Kinnear with a pittance to spend on a replacement as the fat barrow boy tries to recoup the alleged £100m he has paid the debt off with.

This leaves Harper as the man to step into the breach...or maybe not. Kinnear has completely cocked up by coming out and claiming Shay is by far the better option which is why he is fighting so hard to keep him. With Harper`s contract rolling down this is hardly the talk to encourage the lad to sign up and stay second string for his final payday.

In terms of Forster and Krul, despite their great displays for Stockport and Carlisle respectively, it`s way too early to throw both into the mix of a relegation battle. However it remains a distinct possibility one or both may get their chance.

This leaves a possible incoming keeper. Boruc and McGregor would be Gordon-eque gambles and the third named, Kieran Westwood is again untested in the top flight. Westwood looks far more the likely option as back up as we scrimp and save, with Kinnear no doubt set to backtrack and say he really only ever wanted to keep Harper.

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