Jose Enrique has given a long interview this morning to the local Newcastle Journal.
Jose Enrique – players driven by fears of messing up
And one of the interesting things he says is that Newcastle players are driven on this season by the fear of messing up.
The very comfortable win over Scunthorpe has moved Newcastle a full 12 points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest with a game in hand.
If the lads win that game in hand, the club could be virtually 16 points clear of Forest, because our goal difference is so much better than that of the famous Nottingham club.
But the Newcastle players and manager Chris Hughton in particular, are taking absolutely nothing for granted
This is some of what Jose Enrique said today:
“We do think about next season and being back up there, but you never know what will happen in football. It is still very difficult for us, there are a lot of games still to play.”
“We are driven on by the fear of messing things up.”
“We don’t want to do that, it would be very hard to miss out on promotion now.” “We’ve got two games away from home to focus on and we need to get something from both of those before we play Nottingham Forest at home.”
“I think, if we win those three games, we’ll almost be there. It will be a big relief.” “It was a nice evening against Scunthorpe, a very satisfying performance.
“We are in very good form at the moment and it was another important win for us.” “It’s the best football we have played since I came to Newcastle. I think the fans are really enjoying it.”
“We signed some quality players in January, players who can help us in the Premier League if we go back up as well. We are in a lower division, of course, but some of our football has been superb to watch.”
It’s certainly true, at least at home, that Newcastle have become a much more attacking side , and proof of that is in our last 5 home games the lads have scored 21 goals, with results of 5-1, 4-1, 3-0, 6-1 and 3-0.
It’s interesting that Jose says the players are driven on by the fear of messing up. That’s exactly what they did last season of course, mess up, and they messed up badly.
But the players who elected to stay at the club couldn’t have done much better this season – which has been almost a perfect season so far – we stress so far.
But Jose is so right when he says Newcastle still have 10 games to play and that’s a lot of points, and the lads just cannot take things easy.
Two tough games at Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers are next up, and we need to try to get wins in both of those games on the road.
That may be possible if the lads apply themselves like they’ve been doing, because there’s no doubt the team is in cracking form right now, and the confidence is sky high.
And the players know that every win now, takes us closer to that time when promotion will be guaranteed.
And if and when that happens the lads can rightly celebrate – but only for a short time, before they will need to get ready for the next game – and win that one too. 😀
That’s what professionalism is all about, and we seem to have that in the squad this season.
Comments welcome.
2 comments so far
Geordiedoonsooth
Mar 19, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Comment #1Good lad he could be a top player for us over the next few years I hope he stays for a long time
Ashley Hole
Mar 19, 2010 at 7:11 PM
Comment #2….two loses and Forest win….all over again