Dan Burn
Newcastle United’s recent struggles on the road have been a point of concern, highlighted by their 3-1 defeat against West Ham. As the Magpies prepare for their Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao, defender Dan Burn has spoken candidly about the team’s current form and the challenges they face in turning their fortunes around.
Dan Burn said: “I agree (couldn’t defend it). Normally, when you are having a bad game and one or two players are having a bad game, you can carry that. But pretty much the full team had an off day. It is frustrating, and we let ourselves down. We really wanted to make amends for the away form this season and push on, but that didn’t happen. It’s tough we haven’t won in nine away games. It’s something I know the manager will be working on to understand why we have not been performing. It was very painful when you see how far off we were from what we expect of ourselves. It was painful to watch, but that’s the best way to learn. He’s also very honest with what he says, but that’s the only way you learn. The frustrating thing is, we have the Champions League. Everybody knows we will turn up for that game. The crowd will be buzzing, and we will be buzzing. It is about trying to replicate those performances away from home. I think it is very easy to get up for these games and the Champions League nights because that is what you want to play in your career.”
Burn’s reflections highlight the team’s struggle to maintain consistency away from home, an issue that has seen them go winless in their last nine away fixtures. Despite the setback against West Ham, Burn remains optimistic about Newcastle’s ability to rise to the occasion in their upcoming Champions League match. The defender emphasized the importance of replicating their home performances in away games, acknowledging the unique atmosphere and motivation that European nights bring.
Looking ahead, Newcastle will face Brentford in their return to Premier League action. Burn has issued a challenge to his teammates to demonstrate their capabilities and secure a positive result in the capital.
Burn said: “Say Brentford on Sunday, though, is where you need to earn your money. That is frustrating for us, we have lads in there that can do it and will do it. We have a squad that are fighting for each other but we aren’t showing it away from home.”
Burn also took personal responsibility for his recent performances, admitting that he fell short of his own standards during the West Ham match.
Burn said: “I wasn’t very happy with my performance, so I didn’t really think it was time for me to stand up and start pointing fingers. Everyone knew in that changing-room that we’d let each other down. That’s the most frustrating thing. We’re a very tight-knit group. There aren’t many changing-rooms like we have, in the way we demand from each other and push each other. We really wanted to put on a performance at a team that was struggling.”
The Magpies’ ability to bounce back from their current slump will be tested in the coming weeks, as they aim to translate their home form into success on the road. With the Champions League and Premier League fixtures on the horizon, Newcastle’s resolve and resilience will be crucial in their quest for improvement.
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