Steve Harper Seeks Stability At Newcastle United

"We've had far too high a turnover of managers. Anyone can see that.

"Look at David Moyes and Everton. Why can't we be like them? We should be where they are and where Aston Villa are, where we were a few years ago under Sir Bobby Robson.

"We're only going to get that by giving a manger time."

The 33-year-old has struggled to get a place in the starting line-up over recent seasons, but following the sale of Shay Given to Manchester City during the January transfer window, he has found himself first choice at St. James' Park.

However, the former Seaham Red Star youth player admitted that he had began to wonder whether he would ever get a chance as the regular 'keeper at the club.

"I went to see the manager saying I wanted to play, asking him to give me an opportunity or to let me go on loan, but it just didn't happen," he said.

"In hindsight, should I have kicked up a fuss and done something about it? Possibly. When I'm finished I might regret those years.

"It seems to be the people who don't care much get the moves. If you are a bit more selfish, you get the rewards. It's like nice guys finish last in football.

"After 16 years here I could probably write a book that would outsell JK Rowling. I've seen good players with bad attitudes and bad players with good attitudes - the full spectrum.

"We've spent a lot of money over that time but let's just say some of it wasn't spent particularly well."

The main priority for the club at the moment is Premier League survival, and they start with a game against fellow relegation battlers Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

Nick Turner, Goal.com