BURN LOVES THE BOOS – AND A SPECIAL BREW!
Derby win a tonic for the troops, and Geordie Dan reckons it could be the turning point in Newcastle’s season
0 3 DAN BURN insists Newcastle can emerge from their dip in form and injury crisis to conjure a “special season”.
The Geordie defender, 31, ticked off another ambition since joining his hometown club when he helped Eddie Howe’s side to demolish Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
In a remarkable two years at the club Burn has helped Newcastle avoid relegation, finish in the top four, played at Milan and PSG in the Champions League and in a Carabao Cup final.
A win on enemy territory – celebrated with a cheeky team photo in front of a partying away end – added to a growing list of memories Howe’s lads are creating.
The FA Cup is now a chance for more adventure, along with a chase for a top-seven finish to qualify for Europe again which is still within Newcastle’s grasp.
“It was a class day,” said Burn. “I was just smiling the whole time, even getting booed – it was the happiest I’ve ever been getting booed!” It was
Newcastle’s first derby win since 2011, with two goals from Alexander Isak and a Dan Ballard own goal.
Burn added: “To be able to say I’ve played in one of these, I feel like I’m still dreaming a little bit.
“That was us back to being us. The way that we pressed was a lot better. The last couple of weeks’ training helped us get back into good habits. I thought we were very good. I will get pelters for saying it but I want more derbies like this.”
Newcastle had lost six of their previous eight games – and now face Manchester City and Aston Villa in the Premier League.
But Burn is upbeat and said: “It can still be a special season for us. You’ve got to have perspective.
I understand people are thinking about the way we played last season but it was always going to be a tough season.
“There have been really fine margins. The way we went out of the League Cup, the way we went out of the Champions League.
“We haven’t performed to the best of our ability in the last month – but we’re still bang up for it and we still want to kick on.
“If we didn’t win, it was going to be a bit doom and gloom. Hopefully that’ll kick us on.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure internally. There’s been talk externally about the fact we’re not doing great but we’ve still got belief in what we do, the gaffer’s philosophy and how we want to play so it was about resetting after the Liverpool game.”
Wasn’t the team picture, organised by coach Jason Tindall, a bit naughty?
“When they said they were doing that I was like, ‘Oh no!’ but the fans will love it,” said Burn.
“It’s a day for them more than anything, they’ve backed us so well and hopefully we’ve been able to give a bit back.”
Newcastle squeezed the Black Cats after the break and were jumping on every loose pass.
But Sunderland fans made it a great occasion with noise and passion too.
A kind FA Cup draw would help the Geordie cause, and Burn said: “The FA Cup is huge for us. The gaffer has made a big thing about wanting to bring a trophy to the club, I think it’s been such a long time without it, we got close last year but this is our last chance of silverware this year. We attack every game, see who we get in the next round and hopefully we can kick on.” SUNDERLAND:
MOTM