Dubravka: Game is not do or die for us
OTHER MATCHES ARE JUST
AS IMPORTANT AS TRIP TO SEAGULLS, SAYS KEEPER
NEWCASTLE United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka insists the huge clash with Brighton and Hove Albion is not a ‘must-win’ game.
The Magpies head to the Amex Stadium tonight one point adrift of the 16th-placed Seagulls.
United are on a dreadful run of form and have won just two of their last 19 matches in all competitions.
External pressure is rising on Steve Bruce’s position as manager but, as yet, Newcastle remain unmoved on their support of the head coach internally.
It all adds to the pressure-cooker feel ahead of the trip to the Seagulls but, while the importance of the match is not lost on Newcastle’s players, Dubravka insists it is not quite at the stage where the match must be labelled a ‘must-win.’
The Slovakian stopper said: “I want to win every game, no matter what team I play against.
“The Brighton game is important but it is not crucial because we still have other games in front of us.
“It is important to try and win the game with the right mentality and the right attitude.
“We don’t want to put in our minds that we have to win the game. No, we don’t have to.
“We want to because three points will be massive but we have other games.
“The players are hungry and it is time to show it on the pitch now.
“You can clearly see after the game against Villa that everybody wanted to win the game.
“We created a lot of chances and we felt like this was a game we could have won.
“We are nearly there so we need to hope the goals will come.
“It is not easy to be in this position, especially mentally, and you can feel the pressure.”
Dubravka added: “It is important to try and get this club as high up the table as possible.
“Right now it is to stay in the league which will not be easy but every player has the quality and it is up to us to prove it on the pitch.
“We have to have a mentality and a self-confidence as well.
“I really hope we show it on Saturday against Brighton.”
The Slovakia international has started three successive matches after a long period out of the side.
A heel injury, coupled with Covid issues and the form of deputy Karl Darlow, meant Dubravka had to wait until the end of February to retain his top status.
Having arguably been Newcastle’s best player across his first two and a half seasons at the club, the 32-year-old is slowly building towards rediscovering his best form and has paid testament to
Darlow for the ‘environment’ Newcastle’s goalkeeping group has managed to create.
Dubravka said: “I had an injury setback, Covid, an operation - so many things have happened in the last six months so it is great to finally be back on the pitch with the lads.
“It is important to push each other and I think that shows what kind of people we have in the dressing room.
“Since I have been here Karl has been very supportive and very friendly to me.
“We are in the same team, fighting for the same colours, so it is important we create a good environment for each other.”