Newcastle midfielder Isaac Hayden is backing the Magpies squad to show their mettle over the next seven league games as they look to wrap up promotion to the Premier League.
Both Newcastle and third placed Huddersfield Town are playing matches in the Championship tonight and it could prove a defining night in the promotion race if the Magpies beat Burton Albion, and the Terriers fail to defeat Norwich City.
At the end of the night, Newcastle could have a thirteen point lead over Huddersfield with six games to go, but Hayden knows the side must perform under pressure when it matters most tonight. He told NUFC TV (quotes via the Shields Gazette):
“As far as I am concerned big players and big teams always turn up when it matters. If you want to be a top player and the best in your position then you’ve got to be able to perform under the pressure and in the biggest games. I relish the opportunity to get stuck in during these seven games and hopefully get over the line. We have seven games now to define our season.”
In addition to possibly extending the gap to third placed, a win would also mean Newcastle regain top spot in the Championship table. Promotion rivals Brighton’s 3-1 win over Birmingham City last night means they are currently in first place on 83 points, two points ahead of the Magpies.
