It’s no time for nerves... in stands or dressing room

EVERYONE NEEDS TO STICK TOGETHER

EVERYONE connected with Newcastle United needs to stick firmly together during the final five games of this season.

The club is on the brink of completing what has been a largely successful campaign – and it’s not time for anyone to start getting jitters.

I know that fans will be nervous until the moment promotion is mathematically confirmed, but look at how strong a position the Magpies are still in.

Huddersfield have lost three of their last four, and I can’t see them outpointing Newcastle between now and the end of the season – certainly not by 10 points, anyway.

The defeat at Sheffield Wednesday was disappointing, of that there is no doubt. The players just didn’t show up.

But that hasn’t suddenly undone all the hard work that they have put in during the other 40 games so far this season.

In my opinion, Newcastle deserve to be promoted this season.

I think Newcastle still deserve to go up as champions this season.

That should remain the club’s target. Only if it proves unattainable in the end should Newcastle settle for second place, but Brighton can still be caught.

There are twists and turns to come in the title race yet.

What the Magpies must do now is refocus and put the Sheffield Wednesday defeat out of their mind completely. Leeds United have had an excellent season and are a far from straightforward proposition on Tyneside.

But we should still have enough to beat them.

Down at Elland Road we were by far the better team, and I see no reason why Newcastle can’t put in a repeat performance at St James’ Park. We have to be cool, calm and calculated. Beating Leeds and then Ipswich over the Easter weekend is all that matters. The players have put so much into this season and they now just need to hold their nerve and see it through. I can tell you that as a player, getting promoted was the single most rewarding thing I ever experienced in my career. It is the culmination of 10 months’ work from everyone associated with the football club. It proves that everyone was singing off the same hymn sheet all season long; that recruitment was right, the pre-season was correct, the management have delivered, the players have performed, the board have contributed, and the fans have been unparalleled throughout. The last point is definitely true. You the fans have contributed so much, nothing more can be asked of you – except to help with this last, final push.

Now is not a time for nerves to take over.

I can tell you as a player that it will filter down and affect the players if there is too much anxiety at St James’ Park.

Stay behind the players, keep the faith, and we can all celebrate promotion together.

There is nothing more satisfying as a player than achieving success like promotion at the end of the season.

It’s in our grasp now – let’s hold our nerve and claim it, once and for all.

First place is the target, and we’ll only settle for second if we have to.