Dubravka still one of best keepers in England – don’t panic
GOALKEEPING COACH BACKS SLOVAKIAN TO REDISCOVER HIS TOP FORM
NEWCASTLE United goalkeeping coach Simon Smith has thrown his support behind Magpies No 1 Martin Dubravka.
The Slovakian international was named North East Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year at the weekend after an impressive first 12 months on Tyneside.
After joining on loan from Sparta Prague, Dubravka played an integral role in helping the Magpies secure a 10th-placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old completed a permanent move to St James’ Park during the summer and has established himself as Rafa Benitez’s first-choice goalkeeper.
However, he has come under scrutiny over the past few weeks after mistakes against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur cost the Magpies dearly, with both ultimately costing them both matches.
Dubravka was the focus of attention once again after he was involved in Willy Boly’s controversial injury-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Wolves.
But Smith, who also worked with United between 1993 and 2004 before returning in 2015, is adamant that the keeper has the complete trust of everyone the club.
And the 56-year-old believes that his mistakes have been highlighted because he has set a high standard for himself since moving to England.
Smith told The Chronicle: “He has played so well, and the expectation levels have gone up so much for him.
“No disrespect to Martin, but we paid €6m for him. “You look at Liverpool, they paid over €60m for their goalkeeper Allison (Becker) and Chelsea paid around €76m for their keeper (Kepa Arrizabalaga).
“Martin has shown that he is probably in the top six most consistent goalkeepers in the league and I think that is why there has been that attention on him.
“His consistency and his high standards are why we all trust him so much.”
Dubravka wasted little time in introducing himself to the Gallowgate faithful when he joined the club on deadline day in January 2018.
Within two weeks he had made his full debut and kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 home win against Manchester United.
The Slovakian has become a firm fans’ favourite on Tyneside and Smith believes that the popular shot-stopper has done well to adjust to a new level of support.
“When the crowd sing his name, it’s not something he has been used to earlier in his career,” explained the Magpies coach.
“I was saying to him the other day that it is another side of playing in the Premier League that he has had to deal with.
“With all respect to where he has been before, there is a massive gulf to the level he is at now.
“He made his debut against Manchester United and did really well. His performance didn’t surprise us
He showed that he could handle playing in front of 52,000 – he wasn’t used to it and it shows what he’s about