"It's onwards and upwards, really"

The words of Tim Krul, following the announcement that our young Dutch stopper and his captain Sideshow Bob have both inked new long-term deals (five and four years respectively). While neither have been quite so infallible of late as they were in the first half of the season, they're cornerstones of our team and so this can only be good news.

Of course, as with the six-and-a-half-year contract signed by Mr T last season, it's not a guarantee that both players will be in our employ for the full length of their deals. But it does signal our intent and help to ensure we'll be properly recompensed if either was to leave, as well as serving as an indication that key squad members are pleased with the club's progress and uninterested in looking for moves elsewhere.