Toon Keeper: 'I Want To Be No. 1'

Last updated : 07 October 2011 By Footy Mad - Editor

The 25-year-old arrived on Tyneside this summer having previously been at League One side Charlton.

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Rob Elliot: “When the chance to move to Newcastle came about, I knew it would be a challenge, but one I was ready to go for.

"If you go somewhere where you are given the easy option to play week-in, week-out, then maybe you do not push yourself as much as you can.

“I could have stayed at Charlton – after all I was the number one there and playing regularly – but it was a bigger and better challenge to come here.

“I did feel I was drifting in to a comfort zone at Charlton.

“If you are somewhere for a long time you do get not sloppy but into a routine, so you need to freshen up and try and take yourself to another level.


“With the size of club Newcastle is, you could not turn down that sort of opportunity. This is where legends are made so in the back of your mind you want to be the best you can be and to be at Newcastle; it is where it can happen.

“I just want to be the best goalkeeper I possibly can and this is a great place to do it.

“You look at the history with Shay Given and Steve Harper playing well in goal with Tim (Krul) making history as he goes along. It is the perfect club really.

“He (Krul) was unbelievable last Saturday.

“For me it is brilliant – the better he plays, the better I have to do to get him out of the team so everyone wins.

“It has been brilliant working with him and Steve Harper and for me it has just been a case of getting my pace up.

“I am still learning myself. I am only twenty-five but the better everyone does the better I do.

“Alan (Pardew) did make it clear I would be here as back-up but if I get my chance and take it then it could be a good move. He said he wanted me to push (for that goalie spot) and work hard.

“I am going to work hard, bide my time and when I get my opportunity, take it and hopefully that will get me my chance with the first team.

“However, as long as we are winning every week and Tim is doing well then I am happy.

“I am just enjoying being involved at the minute and being on the fringes of Premier League games which is something new for me.

“Being a goalkeeper, you have to be very narrow-minded. In the game, it is only you in that role and if you make a mistake it can be costly.”