Magpies are mentally braced for last leg of survival fight
RITCHIE: UNITED WILL GIVE IT ALL TO AVOID THE DROP
Chief Newcastle writer MATT Ritchie believes Newcastle United are in the right mental state to guarantee their Premier League survival.
The winger, who has been playing in a more defensive position in recent weeks, feels the Magpies are fired up for the last 12 games of the campaign.
United have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games but have a great chance of fending off the threat of relegation with home games against Huddersfield Town and Burnley.
Newcastle were relegated in 2009 and 2016 with a clutch of players more interested in their next move rather than staying up, some of the squad 10 years ago understood to be discussing their holidays while fans were contemplating relegation.
Ritchie is a different character entirely to some of the squad from a decade ago and slumped to his knees at Wolves last week after two valuable points slipped away.
After United’s boot camp in Spain, Ritchie told the Chronicle: “Of course we care. It would be silly to think we don’t care.
“Every player is playing for themselves, their futures, or whatever they have for themselves – but we also understand we are at a big football club in Newcastle United.
“We want success and success in different places is different. For us, to stay in the Premier League is success. We need to keep working the way we have done.
“I said in an interview the other day our performances levels have been high.
“We have managed to pick up points but we need to continue that. We need more good performance levels.
“I am sure with that will come the points we require.”
Newcastle can push Huddersfield closer to the abyss – Jan Siewert’s side are currently 14 points from safety – if they take three points this weekend at St James’ Park.
Two wins against the Terriers and then Burnley would put them on 31 points and within touching distance of safety.
Looking ahead to the week, Ritchie added: “Every game is huge now, every week.