Football News

Dubravka pinpoints two ways in which Newcastle can improve ahead of crunch Leicester tussle

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka feels Newcastle need to create more chances but insists it is a happy camp ahead of the weekend’s clash with Leicester City.

The Magpies appear to be winning their battle against relegation, with a 10-point cushion to the bottom three. Six wins and two draws since the turn of the year hauled the north-east outfit out of the relegation zone and into relative safety. However, they hit the buffers with three consecutive top-flight defeats before beating Wolves 1-0 last time out.

It has been a remarkable turnaround, helped by new recruits arriving in January. Having played just one league match in seven at St James’ Park, Eddie Howe’s men returned home to claim three points last Friday.

Next up is the visit of the Foxes on Sunday before Crystal Palace arrive on Tyneside. Howe is refusing to rest on his laurels and will not admit that Newcastle are now safe from the threat of the drop.

Dubravka has played his part behind an improved defence. The Slovakia keeper seems content with the current state of affairs.

But he confessed that there are a couple of areas that need addressing by the players.

“We’ve shown the quality we have,” he told The Chronicle. “Ok, we could probably be controlling the game a bit more, and create more chances but that’s sometimes what the Premier League can be like.

“You have to defend more and adapt when games get tight. We did that against Wolves and we’re happy.”

Newcastle target Leicester revenge

Newcastle seemed destined for relegation under Steve Bruce. Howe’s arrival did not herald instant results and Leicester beat them 4-0 back on December 12.

However, the cavalry arrived in January and it has been a much rosier picture since then. An injury to Kieran Trippier was a setback but the likes of Dan Burn and on-loan full-back Matt Targett have excelled.

Dubravka was a busy man during the first half of the campaign as Newcastle shipped far too many goals. But recent losses to Chelsea and Everton were by a 1-0 scoreline before Tottenham blew them away.

St James’ Park has become a happy hunting ground once more. And victory over the East Midlanders would all-but ensure top-flight football next season.

READ MORE: Newcastle now have Arsenal to keep at arm’s length in race for £58m attacking midfielder

The post Dubravka pinpoints two ways in which Newcastle can improve ahead of crunch Leicester tussle appeared first on TEAMtalk.