JUSSI Jaaskelainen was not just talking the talk when he claimed his confidence had not been dented by some heavy beatings.

The proof of his optimism was plain for all to see as the Wanderers' mean machine clicked back into gear with clean sheets against West Ham and Southampton.

Jaaskelainen was there at the heart of it with perfect positioning and rock solid handling illustrating precisely why his morale has remained surprisingly high, despite some uncomfortable experiences

Surprising maybe to some but not to his manager, his team-mates or the man himself, who was warned from the start that the Premiership would be tough going.

"The coach said there would be times when I wouldn't make a save and two or three goals would go in," the big Finn revealed, "and that's what has happened, particularly over the Christmas period.

"The goals were flying in but you just have to keep going.

"It has not been difficult for me to keep my confidence because I always knew this was going to happen. I just have to keep working hard."

The reality of life in the Premiership makes the Reebok keeper treasure the good times all the more when they come along. Hence his satisfaction and relief after keeping the clean sheet against West Ham, which ended a run of 25 goals conceded in nine games since his previous shut-out against Charlton on December 15, and a second successive shut out at St Mary's on Saturday.

Jaaskelainen can take heart from the fact that fingers have not been pointed in his direction.

"Actually he's been one of the major success stories of the season," says Wanderers' inspirational defender and club captain Mike Whitlow.

"Our confidence in him has never been in any doubt.

"Looking back at the game at Chelsea, for instance, they had five shots and all five went in ... and Jussi had no chance with any of them.

"Obviously it's hard for him because he's the keeper but he is one of many of the lads who have done ever so well for us this season - like Simon Charlton, Bruno (N'Gotty), young Kevin Nolan ... there have been good performances right through the team."

Team skipper Gudni Bergsson made a point of singling out his goalkeeper after the Southampton game. "As defenders we are delighted with another clean sheet," he said, "and Jussi played a big part in our defensive performance."

Praise that was echoed by Allardyce who happily declared: "He is back to his very best. Everything that came his way, he dealt with extremely professionally.

"He looks an awesome sight when he's in that frame of mind. Everything that was thrown at him he handled very, very comfortably.

"Anything could have happened in the wind at Southampton but he made some excellent saves."

One famous Jaaskelainen error did prove costly when he was controversially penalised for failing to release the ball in the regulation six seconds - the offence that led to Alan Shearer getting Newcastle back into the game at St James' Park.

But he has not allowed the incident to play on his mind.

"That's all gone now," he says dismissively. "I think everybody could see that I was trying to clear the ball as quickly as I could but I don't even think about it any more."