YEDLIN: KEEP THE FAITH
DEFENDER BELIEVES NEWCASTLE MUST REMAIN POSITIVE DESPITE WINLESS START
DeAndre Yedlin says Newcastle United’s players and fans must “keep the faith” as they bid to pull out of the relegation zone.
The club is 19th in the Premier League after failing to win any of its first 10 games.
Newcastle’s three points have come from goalless draws away from St James’s Park.
United, backed by almost 2,500 fans, drew 0-0 against Southampton on Saturday.
Asked if he felt the team was “close” to turning a corner, Yedlin said: “Yeah, that’s kind of been the frustrating thing this season – we’ve been quite close on multiple occasions.
“It’s just a matter of keeping the faith and keeping believing.
“Just keep working on our game – that’s all we can do. Stay positive. Nobody’s ever got out of a tough situation by being negative.
“We’ve got to stay positive, keep the fans behind us.”
Yedlin and his team-mates were applauded off the field at the St Mary’s Stadium.
And the defender says the team is grateful for their support during a “tough time”.
“Luckily, they been loyal to us and stayed behind us even in these tough times,” said Yedlin, speaking ahead of Saturday’s home game against Watford.
“We have to give praise to them for that as well.”
Newcastle had gone to Southampton hopeful of taking all three points, but they didn’t have a shot on target.
Martin Dubravka kept United in the game before the break, and Benitez’s team doggedly saw the game out to claim a point.
“In another situation you’d definitely be happy with a point away from home, but obviously we’re trying to get that first win,” said Yedlin.
“It’s a little bit disappointing as well.
“I thought the attitude was good from the team. The most important thing was that we got a clean sheet and dug in and did what we needed to do to defend.
“We got a point away from home, which could be vital.
“There were times when we were under a lot of pressure. It can get like that away from home sometimes.
“I thought we did have a great attitude defensively, and put in the graft that we needed to keep a clean sheet.
“I think we can draw confidence from this game and take positives from this game and also recognise what we need to work on and use it for the next game.”