Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Matt eyes new faces and top 10
MATT RITCHIE has insisted Newcastle must sign more “top, top players” to become a top-10 club.
But the Toon midfielder has warned pricey new recruits need to fit into a “team” ethic and know how to “fight for every point”.
He wants his current squad to get credit for finishing 10th last season and pushing on towards mid-table this term.
The club-record purchase of Miguel Almiron for £21million could be followed by more £20mplus buys in the summer if manager Rafa Benitez (below) stays and gets to strengthen his squad.
Ritchie said: “Is this group good enough to finish top 10 every season? No. We have to improve. “Yes, the fans want top, top players.
“Players want top players. But there has to be credit and respect for this group we have now. We finished 10th last year. We maximised our potential last year.
“As players, individuals and as a team – we finished 10th for a reason.
“We deserved it. It raised expectations. The whole club is a team, everyone deserved credit.”
Ritchie said there is nothing between clubs from eighth place to the relegation zone in the Premier League and even the odd point will be crucial in determining the success of this season.
He added: “Knowing what you are as a team is key. We won’t play expansive away from home and have 70 per cent possession.
“Neither will the seven or eight teams around us. We are all in and around it.
“It’s so tight. The Premier League is so close you have to keep fighting until the end like we did last season. On the last day we jumped up four or five places. We must fight for every point.”