Emulating Shearer tally Is not my aim, says striker
ALEXANDER Isak has played down talk of becoming the first Newcastle United star since Alan Shearer of hitting 20-plus goals in a Premier League campaign.
The Sweden international insists he is not the type of player to be continually tracking his goal tally or chasing records.
Isak needs five more to make it to 20, although Shearer actually notched 22 in the 2003/04 season.
When asked about chasing records, Isak, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game with Fulham, said: “I’m happy with my goal tally. Usually, I sum up the season after it’s finished.
“I know it’s interesting for you guys (journalists) but I don’t really think too much about it, I try to keep scoring and then after the season I see where I end up. I was happy to score against Everton, it was a good goal and it came at a good time as well.
“We had some good chances after that to extend the lead.”
Isak scored 10 goals in his first season for Newcastle as they finished fourth but this season he is close to doubling that tally with 19 to his name already.
His own personal performances have been up there with the best, but an injury-hit team has struggled for form.
When asked what the big difference is between the two campaigns, Isak told The Chronicle: “It’s hard to say what the difference is. Obviously injuries and some of those things, it’s been difficult with the availability of players. It hasn’t been easy, it’s hard to say.”
Newcastle go into the trip against Fulham on the back of a 1-1 draw against Everton in which a late penalty incident, which saw Paul Dummett haul back Ashley Young, cost United dear.
Isak said: “It feels like we lost two points against Everton. We had a lot of chances to win the game so we’re gutted but we have a new chance (to win) in a couple of days. There’s chances for us (to get into Europe).
“The three points against Everton would have been good but we got another point, we keep climbing. We know that we have to win many games to get where we want to and that starts on Saturday.”
Newcastle have already beaten
Fulham 2-0 in the FA Cup this season at Craven Cottage and have good memories of beating the Cottagers 4-1 there last term.