Student Yedlin working hard to improve
Time on the sidelines helped Newcastle United full-back DeAndre Yedlin become a student of the game.
The USA international spent much of his two months out with a hamstring injury working on ways to improve himself as a player.
No stone was left unturned – tactics were analysed, videos studied and games watched, all with the intent of making sure he was an improved version of himself in black and white.
And having made his Premier League return three gamesbeforetheinternational break, former Sunderland loan man Yedlin explained to Soccer America: “I’ve always been a pretty positive person – I’ve definitely been getting mentally stronger and stronger.
“Being out so long made me hungrier to get back.
“I am ever more focused than I was before. “I feel stronger tactically. “When I wasn’t able to run, I watched a lot of film and a lot of games.”
Yedlin is away on international duty, with the United States facing two potentially crucial World Cup qualifiers against Panama in Florida tomorrow, then Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday.
Yedlin was one of the main success stories of Newcastle’s season in the Championship, and he was a miss in the opening weeks of the Tynesiders’ return to the top flight, despite a solid show from summer signing Javier Manquillo.
Yedlin puts Newcastle’s decent start this season down to continuity.
“Rafa (Benitez) preaches pretty much the same principles no matter who is on the field,” said Yedlin.
“The good thing about our team is that it is young and hungry.
“Eeryone has bought into his game plan.
“And it has showed with the results so far.”