Schar says sinking Toon must man

Up

FABIAN SCHAR has warned Newcastle’s collapse in form cannot go on – and ordered Steve Bruce’s men to get back to basics to avoid relegation.

The Switzerland defender surveyed the wreckage of a slump stretching back to Boxing Day and said the squad will hold an inquest to get their season back on track.

Boss Steve Bruce is facing growing flak from fans, many of whom do not believe he is improving the side he inherited from

Rafa Benitez.

He has pledged to shake up his team next Saturday with Dwight Gayle in line for a recall, and a possible switch in formation to create more chances. Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden are also pushing for a return.

The Toon have won once in nine league games and are the joint lowest scorers in the top flight, with £40million striker Joelinton on a 24-game league drought.

Schar picked up the 2019 North East FWA Player of the Year award, and speaking with Alan Shearer behind him, he said jokingly: “Maybe we need him!

“We cannot continue like this. We all know we have to do better.We’ve to improve.”

It is a big fortnight with Burnley at home on Saturday and the chance of an FA Cup quarter-final with a trip to West Brom.

Win those and the mood will change. Schar said: “The last two games we cannot be happy with our performances. Or with the results.

“At Palace the chance was there to do something but we didn’t create too much. We have to talk about this and see what we can do better. We now have important games