Eddie Howe answers big question NUFC fans were asking
Newcastle United are just two points above the Premier League relegation zone after another defeat.
And the experienced defender insists the players do not have a mental block when it comes to winning on the road in the top flight.
The Magpies took the lead down at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, much like they did against West Ham seven days previous, but yet more defensive errors saw them again lose 3-1, this time to another struggling side Brentford.
That was their fifth loss of the season, with pressure mounting on the NUFC players and head coach Eddie Howe. It was their third away from home in the league on the bounce, with no win since April in the top flight away from St James’ Park.
Jamaal Lascelles on Newcastle United defeat at Brentford in the Premier League
Lascelles played no part in the encounter, much like he didn’t at West Ham either, but it did not stop the long serving centre-half from stepping forward to send a message to fans, much like has throughout his NUFC career.
“Very disappointing, obviously, any [negative] result is,” he said. “I thought the boys, obviously, they gave their all. But again, it's another defeat on the road. Now it's just time for us to stick together even more and go again and work even harder.
“I mean, that's all you can do, team sport. But again, I thought it was pretty even today in terms of quality. The game could have gone either way, It was just fine margins that kind of cost us. But yeah, we just need to do better.”
Is NUFC away record in the Premier League a problem?
At home, Newcastle can be unplayable, although that has been much less prevalent so far this season. It is away where the real issues arise, however.
Lascelles does not think it is a mentality problem for the players - and backed them to put things right after the international break.
He said: “No, it's not for us. Home or away, we approach every single game with the same attitude, same mentality. Obviously, the results aren't there. So I get why people might think it will be a thing. It's just down to us players to make sure that it stops.
“Us as players, we know at home the fans do give us an extra 5%. Away teams, when they come to St James' Park, it's their worst place to come because of the fans. So yeah, they do give us an extra boost. But we approach every game the same. Our fans were loud tonight. Even though the numbers aren't the same at St James’, they were singing the whole time. They applauded us after the game, like they always do. We just need to find the answer of just winning the game.”
Jamaal Lascelles on Newcastle United fans sticking with the players
He said: “We appreciate them massively for that at home and away, they're great. The club's been really successful in the past few years, we won a trophy. We just need to make sure as players that it doesn't stop there, that we keep growing. We keep finding a way to win. We keep giving the fans more of a reason to keep driving us.”
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