Newcastle need to show fighting spirit against champions Chelsea tomorrow, manager Steve McClaren said after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss in the League Cup to Sheffield Wed. extended their horror start to the season.
With just two points from their first six Premier League games, the Magpies find themselves second from bottom in the table .
“There’s not a lot you can say. There are no excuses – back in tomorrow morning, Chelsea (on) Saturday, it’s the fighting mentality we need,” he said.
“We have said to the players, ‘You can’t feel sorry for yourselves. You have got to come out on Saturday and be a fighter.”
Barkley can reach Gerrard level – Barry
With a bit more consistency, Everton midfielder Ross Barkley can reach the level of former England stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, according to team-mate Gareth Barry.
Barkley scored the equaliser in his 100th appearance for the Toffees in their 2-1 win over Championship side Reading on Tuesday in the League Cup.
“Ross has got all the potential to become as good as them,” Barry said.
“He’s got everything that they had to match their ability, but the one thing he’s going to need is consistency – performing, scoring goals, assisting on a regular basis, and those two players did that for 10, 12 years in the Premier League, so that’s the target for Ross.”
‘Naughty’ Berahino forgiven by fans
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis said club supporters have forgiven “naughty child” Saido Berahino for threatening never to play for them again after a thwarted move to Tottenham.
The England U-21 international went some way towards winning back the fans when he netted the winner in the Baggies’ 1-0 win over rivals Aston Villa on Saturday.
“They’ve embraced him and brought him back into the fold – that naughty child,” Pulis said.
“Saido was concerned there might be a little turning of the tide, but they were absolutely wonderful when he came on against Southampton and last Saturday against Villa.”
Remy ready to step in for banned Costa
Loic Remy insists he can fill the void left by the banned Diego Costa at Chelsea.
The striker admitted his substitute role has been difficult but he is ready to convince Jose Mourinho to hand him more starts.
He said: “It’s very difficult, I can’t lie. When you come in you have to do the best but when you are not playing much it is more difficult.
“I don’t have any pressure, I just want to feel better and with the game which is coming I maybe have an opportunity to play more.”
De Gea proud to captain United
David De Gea has voiced his pride at wearing the Manchester United captain’s armband for the first time, less than a month after he almost joined Real Madrid.
De Gea, 24, nearly left for Madrid at the end of the transfer window in a £29 million move, but the deadline-day deal fell through and the goalkeeper has since signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford.
When skipper Wayne Rooney came off for the final nine minutes of Wednesday’s 3-0 League Cup win over Ipswich Town, the armband went to De Gea.
“Great win yesterday! Let’s think about our next rivals and keep improving. I’m proud to wear this armband,” he tweeted.
Benteke to miss Merseyside derby
Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is set to miss the Merseyside derby after a scan on a hamstring strain showed he is likely to be out for two weeks, ESPN reported yesterday.
Benteke, 24, will be unavailable for tomorrow’s Premier League home match against his former club Aston Villa, having suffered the injury as the Reds drew 1-1 with Norwich last weekend.
But sources have told ESPN that an examination of the problem suggests he will be out for around a fortnight, which is the standard length of absence for a player with such an injury.
That means he will also miss the Europa League meeting with Swiss club FC Sion on October 1, and the trip to Everton three days later.
Sevilla need to wake up fast, says Vitolo
Midfielder Vitolo says Sevilla need to wake up quickly, starting with tomorrow’s La Liga game at home to Rayo Vallecano, after a woeful start to the campaign has left the Europa League champions rock bottom.
Sevilla slipped to a 2-0 defeat at promoted Las Palmas on Wednesday and have just two points after managing two goals and conceding eight in five outings in Spain’s top flight this term.
“These are difficult moments and as a footballer you are affected because you work day to day and the victories don’t come,” Vitolo said.
“The season has just started but we have to wake up, get ourselves together and finally win a match.”