Newcastle United defender Dan Burn is looking for a strong response in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Athletic Club.
The home comforts of St James’ Park will be welcomed once again, as Newcastle United host Athletic Club in the Champions League.
Sunday brought another away defeat as the Magpies lost 3-1 at West Ham United.
Eddie Howe knows Newcastle are struggling on the road, and another away loss after three straight home wins was a major disappointment.
Fortunately, Newcastle are back at home on Wednesday night and must turn in an improved performance.
West Ham United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Dan Burn wants Newcastle United’s dark arts to return
Howe didn’t see Sunday’s dismal display coming, as Newcastle lacked any kind of physicality and intensity.
Newcastle usually show those two attributes in droves, but Sunday’s display was a far cry from Toon sides in years gone by.
Defender Dan Burn understands that completely, and has told The Chronicle that the Magpies are lacking ‘dark arts’ previously seen under Howe.
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Burn suggested that Newcastle were able to ‘bully’ teams as an underdog in the past, but perhaps that edge has now gone.
Burn feels that Newcastle can still bring an underdog mentality and almost emulate Arsenal in many ways, having admitted that Newcastle haven’t produced dark arts well enough this season.
“We were well known a few years ago for using some ‘housery’ but we have not done that well enough at the moment,” said Burn.
“The first year we made the Champions League, we were more of an underdog and teams didn’t respect us as much as they should do. We could win ugly and bully teams, but as you progress, you move away from that when you get better quality players, and you change the way you play. But Arsenal are really good at doing that, as well as playing good football, and are top of the league.
“You can still have an underdog mentality when you are not the underdog. The best teams in the world have the ability to do that,” he added.
Newcastle United need to find the right formula under Eddie Howe
Burn is right to point out Newcastle’s lack of intensity in some games.
St James’ Park provides a hostile atmosphere for any visiting side, but that edge needs to come from within as well.
Perhaps that is part of the reason why Newcastle are struggling on the road so much.
That nasty edge is still seen in certain players, but Newcastle need to be like Arsenal or Atletico Madrid, mixing the exciting football with aggression, physicality and a battling attitude.
Newcastle haven’t found that mix this season, and it’s clear that Burn wants to see it return soon.