Howe praises leader burn
FOR generations, Geordies have bemoaned the talent drained out of the North East.
From Jack and Bobby Charlton, through Bryan Robson to Michael Carrick, they’ve watched some of England’s top footballers find fame and fortune elsewhere.
The traffic has slowed in recent years but one name that’s never cropped up in conversations on the subject is Dan Burn.
Indeed, it’s likely many
Newcastle fans were unaware he even hailed from the region when Burn was establishing himself at Brighton.
It cost the Magpies €15m to bring the Blyth-born defender back home, just €3m off the then world record fee the club splashed out on a certain Alan Shearer to do the same 25 years ago.
Burn (29) lacks the profile or pedigree of any of those esteemed names but when they’re writing about the rebirth of Newcastle United this season, the January signing of the 6ft 7in centre-half will feature prominently.
None more so than for his towering display against his former club.
Despite the hosts roaring into a two-goal lead within 15 minutes through the rejuvenated pair of Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar, they were outpassed and largely outmanoeuvred by the slick Seagulls.
Credit
But with Burn standing strong at the heart of the Toon backline, all their patterns and clever angles foundered in the final third.
“I cannot credit Dan enough,” said boss Eddie Howe.
“I said when I first came in, the most important people were the ones already in the squad.
“Any additions would be great but what I did not want to do was damage the environment I already had.
“The biggest compliment I can pay the ones who came in is they have enhanced the group and the spirit is as strong as it has ever been.
“Before signing Dan, I realised leadership was one of the big things that stuck out about him.
“It’s what others said when they spoke about him and that’s massively important.”
Newcastle stretched their unbeaten run to eight games and though they were unconvincing, the feel-good factor continues to grow and relegation fears have all but vanished.