Reaction to loss shows squad is developing a new mentality

KIERAN Trippier believes Newcastle’s players are developing a winning mentality and claimed their dejected faces after Sunday’s thumping shows the club’s progress. Some United stars looked miserable as they went off after Manchester City romped to a 5-0 win. England defender Trippier, who played for the first time since February after coming on a substitute, said he sees positives in the reaction to the loss. He said: “It just shows signs of players developing, showing a winning mentality.

“The lads are disappointed - we have just been beaten by one of the best teams in the world and we are coming off frustrated, which just shows the steps the club and the team have taken.” He added: “It looks bad but we are playing a top team fighting for titles this season.

“We had our chances as well and at this level when you are playing against these teams away from home you need to put your chances away.

“We need to look back to criticise ourselves but we look back to January and the steps we have taken since then, the results we have had, we are building.

“We have played back to back two of the best teams in the world so we have to be proud of our performances before the last two results.

“We need to forget about this, we have two big games coming up, two different teams fighting for different reasons so we need to match that.”

Trippier, a £12million January signing from Atletico Madrid, was given a 30-minute run-out at the Etihad after going off with a broken foot against Aston Villa.

He came on at the same time as fellow Three Lions international Callum Wilson, who has been out since December.

The duo came through the game unscathed and could face Arsenal next Monday.

La Liga title-winner Trippier added: “It has been a long three months, people don’t see the work injured players put in. “That’s certainly the case with Cal, who deserves huge credit for the setbacks he has had and how he has bounced back from them.

“It has been hard but when you are injured you just need to support your team-mates on the pitch and we have done that and the lads have been unbelievable without us. “We hope we can come back into the team, on the bench or wherever it may be and help us win the next two games.”

Trippier also revealed he has had to be patient as he wanted to play against Liverpool last weekend.

He said: “I feel good, I was telling the manager last week I wanted to play.

“I was itching to play but it was the right call by the manager.

“I managed to get some minutes and we will see what happens next week.”

It just shows signs of players developing, showing a winning mentality Kieran Trippier