The Blyth-born defender was one of the key men in a meeting behind the scenes at St James' Park
Dan Burn in training with Newcastle United
Dan Burn in training with Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
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Newcastle United star Dan Burn has revealed how the meeting held by senior stars has helped give the Magpies' season a much-needed shot in the arm.
Things were looking bleak just over a week ago when Brentford triumphed 3-2 at St James' Park and the Magpies were slumped in the bottom half of the table, just days after going out of the Carabao Cup. But since then Newcastle have recovered well and picked up three points at Spurs and beat Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup to book their place in tonight's last 16 draw.
They are potentially just two steps from Wembley once again with the semi-finals stages beneath the famous arch in the capital. However, Burn feels the wins would not have been possible without holding a crisis meeting behind the scenes.
Burn said: "We have spoken between players and staff. We always seem to have this once a season where there are a few home truths spoken.
"It gives everyone a bit of a reset. You reflect on what we did well in the past and what we want to get back to. Everybody sticks with each other and supports each other. Maybe not two complete performances but two wins."
With the FA Cup now paused until March, Newcastle must get to grips with Champions League action again. The long journey to Qarabag will see almost 2,000 Toon fans head to Baku.
And Burn wants to transfer the good feeling from Villa to Azerbaijan. The 6ft 7in centre-back said: "We made it a big thing this season. We wanted to get to the knockout stages. We've done that. Qarabag is a team we don't know a lot about but you want to play in new places and play Champions League football."
Looking back on the last 32 victory against Unai Emery's side, Burn told reporters: "I thought we played really well to be totally honest. I thought we moved the ball well, the goal hit us a little bit.
"Obviously, it was offside, and it was disappointing that they [the officials] didn't see it. But it showed the type of character in the squad that we could respond after going a goal down.
"Sometimes playing against 10 men can be a hindrance, not a help. It can put pressure on, but we were patient, we scored and got the win, which was important."
The victory came without the likes of the injured trio Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Tino Livramento, but Burn said: "All in in all we are buzzing. Sandro getting two goals and Big Nick playing as an eight getting a goal on his birthday.
"So it was a good game all round. It gives us momentum. Two away wins. And I know people have made a lot about us not performing away. But it's great and on to Qarabag now."
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