Steve Harper has praised Kevin Keegan's tactical acumen since he returned to Newcastle United.
Keeper feels Magpies have a good combination
Steve Harper has praised Kevin Keegan's tactical acumen since he returned to Newcastle United for a second spell as manager.
Keegan endured a difficult start on Tyneside after replacing Sam Allardyce in January after failing to record a win in his first nine matches.
But a change to a 4-3-3 formation has seen the Magpies flourish in recent weeks and Harper hailed the manager's influence on the squad.
"Since Kevin came back, given time to get to know the players, he has proved what he can do at this massive football club," goalkeeper Harper told
Sky Sports News.
Infectious
"He's infectious, he just walks into a room and gets an extra 20 per cent out of players.
"You have to give him a lot of credit tactically for what he did a couple of months ago. He changed the formation at Birmingham and got a big point when we needed it, and since then we've been a lot more solid at the back with a goal threat up front, and that's a good combination."
Newcastle's penultimate game of the season is at home to Chelsea on Monday, live on
Sky Sports 1, but Harper is not concerned about having an impact on the title race.
The goalkeeper added: "We're not interested in who wins the title, although we hope to be more interested in that in the years to come.
"All we care about, come 4 o'clock on Monday, is to go out and try to win that game.
"Manchester United have got a big game against West Ham, but we can only do what we can do for ourselves and our football club.
"The best team, I'm sure, will win the league."
