We are vocal but we don’t ever fall out
MATT Ritchie says he and Jamaal Lascelles were on speaking terms within 20 minutes of their training-ground discussion last month.
The Scotland winger has revealed he is a vocal character during practice sessions with the Magpies.
Ritchie said: “We had a difference of opinion and a discussion about it – a lively discussion!
“Jamaal and I are two of the more vocal characters, very similar in the way we train and conduct ourselves.
“It was something which became overheated but it was nothing personal and 20 minutes later everything was fine.”
Ritchie, though, feels his encouragement at the club’s Benton base is never taken the wrong way.
He added: “The lads know me. I have been the same player since day one.
“Jonjo Shelvey will say to me, ‘Matty, please, just for today will you not shout?’
“I will try it for 10 minutes but more often than not I will fail.
“Sometimes they just ignore me and are thinking, ‘just shut up’ but it does not stop me because it makes me demand levels from myself.”
“I have always been loud, always been vocal.
“It is just my personality and I have never been one to shy away from voicing an opinion.
“I like to think I am honest and open with those around me.
“If you are demanding the highest standards from teammates, your own standards have to be right up there as well.”