Restoring fans’ pride is our aim

ATSU ON WHAT IS DRIVING UNITED ON TOWARDS THEIR PROMOTION GOAL

CHRISTIAN Atsu wants Newcastle United to hand back the pride to the Toon Army by delivering promotion this month.

The popular winger came on in the second half against Wigan Athletic to help set up a muchneeded victory.

The on-loan Chelsea man is well aware of the traumatic 12 months Newcastle supporters have suffered after relegation.

But he now aims to make up for it in real style. Speaking after the victory against the Latics, Atsu (pictured below) said: “It’s always like that in the Championship and it can be in the Premier League.

“Nothing is easy. The fans will be happy with the win, though.

“No game is going to be easy, but we thank them for their support.

“We keep moving forward and the aim is to make them proud.

“We are all here to help Newcastle and give the club a good name.”

Newcastle could be promoted with three more wins, but Atsu said: “We have seven more games to play and we have to focus on each one.

“We are happy to get the win against Wigan. No game will be easy for us in the run-in.”

Atsu had no qualms about a cameo role in the win against Wigan and said every player must play their part – no matter how small.

He said: “Whenever you get the opportunity, you must give it your best shot.

“I am happy that the team won, which is more important.

“Now we need to get the rest of the points we need.”

Like his United team-mates, Atsu was convinced Matt Ritchie should have had a late penalty, with TV replays also confirming referee David Coote got it wrong.

Atsu added: “I think it was a penalty when Ritchie went down.

“But the game is now finished, we won and we concentrate on Burton now.

“It won’t be easy against Burton – it will be like the Wigan game. “It starts 0-0 and we have to put in the same effort to win this one and concentrate. “We are going to work hard and make our fans proud.”