Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Nick Pope insists there is no need for a dressing room inquest after the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal. Instead, a line will be drawn through the narrow loss and full focus on the home encounter with Everton has been demanded by each and every Newcastle player. Pope made a couple of good saves in the painful reverse at Arsenal as Newcastle lost for the first time this season to the Gunners, but he could not get near Declan Rice's fizzing second half shot.
When asked about the task in hand, Pope told reporters: "It's very simple and there's nothing else to look into and we've got to concentrate this week at the training ground and put in a performance. We've got one game [against Everton] and one game we need to win."
It will be a jumping final day atmosphere against the Toffees with fans getting the chance to roar Newcastle over the line at St James' Park. Only the loss of points could complicate things with Aston Villa heading to Man United, Nottingham Forest facing Chelsea and Man City having two games left against Bournemouth and Fulham.
Just a point separates the teams going into the final day shoot out, but Pope said: "Where else would you rather play in the world? "They're going to be right behind us and we're ready for a big atmosphere so, looking forward to playing in it."
However, Pope admitted that missed opportunities cost Newcastle dear against Arsenal.
Pope said: "I think we had our chances, can't say we didn't have our moments. It was a high level game and we need those fine margins to go in our favour to get a result and unfortunately for us that didn't happen.
"We've performed well and there's definitely positives to take. Not the result we wanted of course but, we're 37 games into the season and we have the chance to finish on a real high so, that's all the motivation we need for next Sunday."