Newcastle Utd Krul’s FA Cup dream ahead of Brighton tie
Newcastle United's Leon Best is congratulated on his goal by goalkeeper Tim Krul (right) during the Barclays Premier League match at the Sports Direct Arena, Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday January 15, 2012. See PA story SOCCER Newcastle. Photo credit should read: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.
TIM Krul dreamed of winning the FA Cup as a youngster growing up in Holland.
And the goalkeeper is looking to turn that dream into reality with Newcastle United.
Krul and his team-mates take on Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium tomorrow evening.
At stake is a place in the competition’s fifth round, and Krul is desperate to give the club’s fans – who have sold out their 2,500-ticket allocation – a cup run this season.
“I think the FA Cup is (watched) all over the world,” Krul told SportMail.
“I think it’s the best cup out there, especially for the fans. They love it as well. We’ve sold out the away end again, and that shows you the fans love the FA Cup.”
Manager Alan Pardew took his team to Tenerife for a mid-season break after last weekend’s 5-2 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
After a few days of rest, and reflection, Krul says Newcastle are ready to put that disappointing result behind them, and launch a twin assault on the Premier League and Fa Cup.
“It was perfect timing to get the lads together again,” added Krul.
“It was a fantastic team-bonding trip. It’s an important week. We’d love to stay in the FA Cup, and we’ve got Blackburn and Aston Villa (next week).
“It’s all about a reaction from last weekend. Everybody’s up for it, and willing to show that was a one-off. We have to get back to a winning streak.”
Pardew’s staff have this week been familiarising United’s players with Gus Poyet’s Brighton side, who knocked Sunderland out of the Carling Cup earlier this season.
Krul was in the Newcastle team beaten by Stevenage in last season’s third-round, and he’s adamant there won’t be any complacency in the visiting dressing room.
“We’ve seen some clips of them,” said Krul. “It’s a nice stadium, and a good pitch, and they’re a footballing team.
“It’s a big game for them – for the fans and the club. Newcastle are coming to their stadium, and we have to make sure we’re up for it.
“They’ll be up for it, and if you take your feet off the gas, you’ll get found out.
“It’s a great opportunity to get through. We just have to believe in ourselves.
“It’s one of those things – everybody knows that we were really poor in the second half, and we have to get over that.
“There’s no better way than to go to the next round of the FA Cup. We’re definitely going there to win.”
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