United star makes case for defence
FEDERICO Fernandez has promised a performance on the final day of the season when Newcastle take on champions Liverpool.
The Argentina international has been the only Newcastle player to play every minute since the Premier League restarted and was a key man in an improved defensive display on Monday.
Although the game itself was dreadful, it did represent Newcastle stopping the defensive rot after shipping three goals against Tottenham and suffering a heavy defeat at Manchester City.
Fernandez – who was the only recognised centre-back in the five-man backline – played an important part.
Newcastle are looking to end a strange campaign on a high against a Liverpool team who will lift the Premier League trophy tonight and ever-pre-Fernandez will key role as he hopes to continue his run of starts.
“I prepare myself very well. I train well so I think it’s more mentality that needs to be spot on,” he said.
“I’m happy to play games and fight for this team. There’s one game to go and we try to put a performance on against the champions.
“The only way we will enjoy it as a defence is if we put in a defensive performance like we did on Monday.
Stay narrow, stay strong and you need to be sharp in the final third. “Brighton found us difficult to break down and that’s what we have to work on on Sunday as well.” United are pondering changes to their defence this summer with centrebacks on the radar. Newcastle have Fabian Schar, Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark who can play as specialist centre-backs. But Schar, who faces months out, is a target for Serie A clubs and Steve Bruce may look at younger options.
Danny Rose and Jetro Willems, who both spent loan spells at St James’ Park, are on the radar but plans will depend on the takeover situation.
Fernandez has been a no-nonsense success story of this season and has penned a one-year extension at St James’ Park.
“It was really good to get a clean sheet, especially with the injuries we have and that part of the team. We focused on the things that we can control and the manager gave confidence to me, Danny and Emil and it was working really well so we’re happy with that,” he said of Monday’s draw.
“It was important to be competitive and in the game. We go into the last game with a real positive.”