Jam is spreading confidence over youthful United’s prospects
JAMAAL Lascelles says Newcastle United’s youthfulness is their strength – insisting their energy offers the Magpies a “big advantage.”
Rafa Benitez has fielded the team with the youngest average age in the Premier League this season, the median age of his five starting XIs so far this term below 26.
While many would argue United’s inexperience will act as a disadvantage, captain Lascelles – who headed in a winner in the 2-1 victory over Stoke City, his second in as many weeks – views it differently.
The 23-year-old skipper said: “We have such a young team, I think it gives us a big advantage in terms of our energy, which really counts when we play against teams a little bit older.
“Our average age is only about 25. We can really get about the pitch and get down in people’s boots. That is what is pushing us at the minute.
“Our inexperience is a strength. The energy is there but we do have our own experience.
“We have big characters and a good mentality, no big-time players.
“Everybody has to work 110 per cent and if they don’t they will be sat on the bench. Overall, collectively, we don’t want to get too carried away but we are definitely on the up.”
Newcastle started the campaign with three-straight defeats in all competitions but they have followed that with three-successive victories in the Premier League – the first time they have achieved such a feat since November 2014.
Lascelles insists he never doubted the Magpies would come good, stressing the character within the squad is such they always strive to improve.
He added: “It was not the start we were looking for but we hvae picked ourselves back up and that just shows what type of characters we are.”