Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles says he is settling in to life as the club’s captain. Speaking to the Shields Gazette, the 22 year old said his “outspoken” nature allows him to be comfortable in his new role.
The centre half hardly featured under previous manager Steve McClaren but he earned the trust of Rafa Benitez and he says the squad must combine their talents with hard craft if they are going to succeed under the Spanish boss this campaign:
“I’m very comfortable being captain. I’m outspoken, and will say what needs to be said. You can’t just have players with talent and flair. You need to make sure players are dedicated and are putting a shift in too.”
The former Nottingham Forest centre has never hidden his views. He famously accused his fellow teammates of lacking fight and hunger when the Magpies lost 3-1 to Southampton back in April, and as captain it seems he is now demanding similar hard work as Newcastle face fellow promotion contenders Norwich City tonight at St James’ Park.
With Benitez’s rotation policy, it is not always certain that Lascelles will start but after only missing one league match against Reading so far this campaign, he will be expected to be in the starting eleven this evening.
