Mentality shift after victory over Clarets, says Lascelles

JAMAAL Lascelles has joined Callum Wilson in lauding the ways in which standards at Newcastle United have improved under Eddie Howe.

The Magpies beat Burnley to record their first victory in 15 attempts in the Premier League to haul themselves back into the battle for survival.

England striker Wilson said last week that United went into their first game of the season – a 4-2 home defeat by West Ham – knowing they were unfit.

Then head coach Steve

Bruce has been replaced by Wilson’s former Bournemouth boss Howe, who is looking to transform the manner in which the Magpies play. Defensively, Newcastle have struggled desperately this season but kept their first Premier League clean sheet of the campaign on Saturday. Speaking after the win over the Clarets, Lascelles said: “Our season starts now. “We know we’ve been miles off it, we haven’t been good enough. As a group of players, our season starts now. “We’ve got eight days until our next game, but we want to carry on this momentum and have a real good push.

“We just need to keep that same attitude, mentality and confidence, and then we’ll do well.”

Lascelles had his best game in months as he battled against the most physical side in the division.

He said: “It’s like a mentality shift. It brings so much belief and confidence.

“In football, loads of it is to do with your mental confidence.

“I think we can take a lot from that game – not just the three points, but our mental situation and the confidence going forward.”

We know we’ve been miles off it, we haven’t been good enough. As a group of players, our season starts now Jamaal Lascelles (right)