Lascelles looks to keep wow factor at United
FANS’ REACTION GIVES CAPTAIN GOOSEBUMPS
Chief sports writer JAMAAL Lascelles admits he took one look up to the Gallowgate End on Saturday afternoon and said “Wow!”.
Still just 23, Lascelles is very much the man of the moment at Newcastle United – with the ink drying on a new contract, Gareth Southgate (pictured right) pondering an England call-up for the centre-back and now a huge banner produced by Toon fans to display on a match day.
Lascelles says he was taken aback just before Newcastle lined up to take on Crystal Palace at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
He told the Chronicle: “I had to take a double take! It was unbelievable and I thank them for that, it’s crazy. “Looking at it I got goosebumps, it was just crazy. I could not thank the fans enough. “They also nominated me for the player of the month but I couldn’t have received it if other players hadn’t have been doing their job. “Collectively, it could have been numerous players.” Newcastle ended the weekend in seventh place in the Premier League table with Lascelles guiding United to three points as they beat Palace 1-0 in front of a sellout crowd. United will have to watch on at weekend as their game against Burnley at Turf Moor is o n Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football. The Clarets have also had a steady start to the season and also sit in the top 10 with just a point less than Newcastle.
Lascelles feels United supporters already have a good idea of what can happen in the Premier League, despite a great start by the black and whites.
The ex-Nottingham Forest defender said: “There was a little bit of frustration creeping in on Saturday because they probably looked at Palace and see they aren’t doing well and we’re at home.
“As players, and the fans will know this themselves, in the Premier League it’s about whoever is on top of their game on the day.
“So we just need to remain focused and stick to our jobs and game plan.
“We need to be patient and defend well.”
Lascelles also felt Huddersfield Town’s incredible victory over Manchester United summed up just how tough life can be in the top flight these days. The 2-1 win for David Wagner’s side meant the steady start for the West Yorkshire side continued with even the big guns having to work hard for their wins this term. As Newcastle now prepare for the trip to Burnley, the defender said: “It is literally about who turns up on the day. “A lot of these big teams have a lot of talent and expensive players who play for their countries. “But if you don’t have that drive and hunger, and whatever else, you aren’t going to succeed. “That’s how we are playing it. “And you look at Huddersfield and they got a good result the other day, so anything can happen.” Jamaal Lascelles