Dan Burn has admitted that Newcastle United players need to start 'earning their money' in Premier League fixtures after a dismal 3-1 defeat at West Ham United. The loss extended the Magpies' winless run away from home to nine games, prompting manager Eddie Howe to say he could no longer defend his team's performance.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash with Athletic Bilbao, Burn agreed with Howe's assessment. '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,' the defender said. 'It is frustrating, and we let ourselves down.'
Burn acknowledged the stark contrast between Newcastle's displays in the Champions League and their away form in the Premier 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,' he said. He added that the team may need to rediscover the 'ugly side of the game' that characterised their successful campaign last season.
The Blyth-born defender also took personal responsibility for his own performance at the London Stadium. '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,' Burn said. 'Everyone knew in that changing-room that we'd let each other down.'
Newcastle now face a quick return to Premier League action against Brentford on Sunday. Burn challenged his teammates to step up, saying: '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.'
