Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has voiced his delight with his side’s impressive start to the season and has told Goal.com that they are full of confidence ahead of the upcoming Premier League games versus Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Magpies currently sit third in the league table with 25 points from 11 matches and are one of only two Premier League clubs that are still unbeaten.

Important players such as Jose Enrique and Joey Barton departed St James’ Park in the summer, but their replacements have adapted well and Krul is hopeful that Newcastle can continue to exceed expectations.

“This is a fantastic time for us. We are having the best start of the season in 15 or 16 years. I have played every single game and have a superb backline in front of me. They really operate as one unit,” Krul said.

“A number of new players joined the club this summer. New signings usually need some time to adapt, but they performed right from the start and are already important for us.

“We are taking things one match at a time. Our next away game is versus Manchester City and we have a string of difficult games for there on. However, we are brimming with confidence at the moment. We’ll just have to wait and see whether we can get a good result.”

The Netherlands international then stressed that he and his team-mates would have been happy to simply avoid relegation when the season started, but added that they are now aiming higher following their impressive results in the opening months of the 2011-12 campaign.

“Our objective at the start of the season was to stay clear of the drop zone, but you always want more when things are going this well. We have a tough period ahead of us, though, and aren’t looking too far ahead.”

Krul joined Newcastle from ADO Den Haag at the tender age of 17, but has only recently become first choice goalkeeper. Nevertheless, the shot stopper has made it clear that he never considered leaving the club on a permanent basis.

“I didn’t have to wait long to become first choice goalkeeper if you look at my age. There aren’t too many 23-year-old goalkeepers around in the Premier League who are starters. We made a plan for my future and the club always kept to this plan. It was the objective that I’d be first choice by now right from the start. I never even thought about leaving the club.”

The Den Haag-born goalkeeper is currently away on international duty with the Netherlands. The 2010 World Cup finalists take on Switzerland on Friday and will lock horns with Germany four days later.

source: goal