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Tim's Secret Clean Sheet Formula
Written by Newcastle Utd
Tim Krul spoke to nufc.co.uk about a fourth successive clean sheet, and what has changed for the Magpies
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Tim Krul is keeping Newcastle United's clean-sheet secret firmly under wraps, after the Magpies secured a fourth successive shut-out on Saturday.
Moussa Sissoko's late goal earned a 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at St. James' Park - their sixth triumph in a row in all competitions - and the Frenchman will rightly claim plenty of headlines.
But it was at the other end of the pitch where United were quietly - and effectively - going about their business once more.
Their stubborn defensive displays are a far cry from earlier in the campaign, where Newcastle were regualrly conceding at least two goals a game.
However, even with a slightly-makeshift central defensive pairing of Mike Williamson and Paul Dummett against the R's, they rarely looked like being broken down.
Goalkeeper Krul revealed a few changes to their midweek routine has made the difference on a weekend, but is remaining tight-lipped about the finer details.
"Another clean sheet was nice and it's what it's all about for the back five. We love keeping clean sheets," the Dutch international told nufc.co.uk.
"But it's not just about the defence and the goalkeeper, because the rest of the team play their part.
"We do a few new things on the training pitch that seem to be working, but I'm not going to tell you what they are.
"It's a good secret that we will keep to ourselves."
United had to wait until 12 minutes from time to finally break Rangers' resistance, having knocked on the visitors' door throughout the contest.
And Krul was delighted with the patience of his teammates, who remained diligent throughout and were rewarded in the shape of another victory.
"It was another great win and three really important points," said Krul.
"We had to be patient. The last two times we have played QPR at home we won 1-0, so we knew it would be tight. But we dug away, kept going, were patient, and a fantastic goal from Moussa did it.
"We had chances and it's tough because everyone wants the goal to come in the first minute. But football doesn't always work like that. It doesn't really matter when it comes, as long as it does."
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