Burn’s warning for Spurs as hot Toon exploit speed trap
DAN BURN insists Newcastle are still in the fight for Champions League qualification after hammering Tottenham.
Alexander Isak and Co are keen to rattle their rivals, despite being 10 points adrift of Ange Postecoglou’s men with six games to play.
Newcastle’s run-in sends them to Crystal Palace, Burnley, Manchester United and Brentford, while they host Sheffield United and Brighton.
Spurs have a tough finish with Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool up next, plus a visit from Manchester City in their penultimate game.
Burn, below, said: “We have momentum. Spurs have a tough run-in and we have laid down a marker and they will now always be looking over their shoulder.
“Can we catch them? Yeah, that has got to be the aim, finish as high as possible.We don’t know what will happen with that extra Champions League place as well.
“That has got to be the belief.Around us no one is playing unbelievably.
“If we can be the team to kick on, with 18 points to play for, and max out, we are not hanging on trying to look after ourselves, just going all out.”
Isak scored twice to take his tally to 21 for the season, along with Anthony Gordon and Fabian Schar.
The win was masterminded on the training ground, with a tactical plan to exploit Spurs’ high line and frequently leave the centre-backs exposed against Isak and Gordon’s pace.
Burn added: “Spurs play in a very specific way.They always play a high line.
“We have very specific roles we had to fill.We caught them a bit by surprise.When we were winning the ball high up and getting goals, it pushes you on to think this is working, keep going.
“We have Alex, Gordy, Harvey [Barnes], who have pace to exploit a high line, no matter how quick you are. It has worked for [Spurs] but it was something we looked to expose.”
Howe’s side have been revived since the FA Cup defeat by City last month.
On the extreme mood swings, Burn said: “It does swing around and I know that as a fan you are always wanting more. I understand it, but take a step back and look at what we have had to deal with this season.
“I always said if we got any type of European football it would be a good season.
“Replicating last season and getting top four was always going to be difficult.We’d changed our way of playing and had a surprise factor. This year teams have caused us problems.”
Isak is proving world class with his finishing power and it will be an achievement to keep him in the summer.
Burn added: “Alex has everything. He has that superstar quality that you want to keep hold of.”
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