Tim Krul: “I came back from pre-season last year after making my debut for Holland.
“I just wanted to be number 1.
“It was a hard-fought battle with Steve Harper and Fraser Forster.
“I’m pleased the manager gave me the confidence because it really gave me a boost.
“It gave me the extra boost to show I’m capable.
“We’ve exceeded everybody’s expectations.
“To be playing for one of the top four spots with one game to go is something special.
“I think even the players’ expectations have also been exceeded.
“It has been a hell of an experience. Sometimes I pinch myself and keep thinking ‘this is my first full season, how do I top this’.
“It’s been great and we’ve always talked about team spirit. I’ve always said that Newcastle should have a reputation as a top, top team.
“And we’re here now.
“I’ve extended my contract and now I want to be playing for a club that fights for places in the top four.
“And that’s what has happened. I’m over the moon.
“The club have shown the right aspirations here. They got Fabricio Coloccini to sign a new deal and myself.
“That’s the way I want the club to go. We’ve also got people like Cisse here too and they are the type of players the fans want here too.
“To be where we are now shows that we’re going places.
“We had a great season to go 11 games unbeaten.
“We’ve gone from strength to strength. Now we are just looking to go higher and higher.”