Tim Krul is refusing to get carried away by Newcastle's push for the UEFA Champions League but is dreaming of a top-four finish.
Dutchman recognises essential momentum at perfect time
Tim Krul is refusing to get carried away by Newcastle's push for the UEFA Champions League but is dreaming of finishing the season in the Premier League's top four.
Alan Pardew's team on Monday moved level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham after defeating Bolton while Harry Redknapp's men surprisingly lost to Norwich.
Champions League qualification, for which Chelsea are also competing, would be a remarkable achievement for a Newcastle team who were tipped to struggle after a 2011 summer overhaul.
But while Krul is optimistic, the Dutch goalkeeper is refusing to get carried away and is only focusing on his club's next outing against Stoke at St James' Park on 21st April.
Asked about Newcastle's chances of qualifying for the Champions League, Krul told
Sky Sports: "We are looking at Stoke.
Pressure
"It is a fantastic opportunity for us at home just to keep the pressure on.
"I will talk to you on the last day of the season and hopefully we are in the top four."
Krul also said: "We are up there. We will keep putting the pressure on the top teams and that is our target.
"Hopefully we are still up there at the last game of the season."
The victory over Bolton came courtesy of Hatem Ben Arfa's second-half wonder goal and, 10 minutes later, Papiss Cisse's tap-in.
Special talent
Newcastle have now won five successive Premier League matches and Krul knows he and his team-mates are hitting form at a perfect stage of the campaign.
Krul, who made an excellent save from Bolton's Chris Eagles when the score was still 0-0, said: "We have had the momentum for the last four or five games.
"The belief is there, the confidence in each other is there and also team spirit is really high."
Bolton had looked good value for at least a point before Ben Arfa's magical dribble and finish, which has had manager Alan Pardew backing the Frenchman's Euro 2012 credentials.
And Krul said of his club-mate: "It was incredible. It shows you what a special talent he is.
"The gaffer always says he has got the special talent that can win us games."
