'We're giving everything': Sandro Tonali issues plea to frustrated Newcastle United supporters after latest defeat
Getting beaten at St James' Park and failing to score are two things that shouldn't happen to Newcastle United, and yet, in their last two domestic games at St James' Park, that's exactly what's happened.
Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and Aston Villa in the Premier League both left Tyneside with a 2-0 win under their belt.
A truly horrendous display at Wolverhampton Wanderers and an impressive Champions League win separated the two games, and were it not for that win over PSV, we can't imagine what the mood would be like right now.
Newcastle fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the level of performance from the side this season, particularly in the Premier League. There are questions being asked about why the team are able to lift themselves for the Champions League but feels content to coast in the league.
Sandro Tonali has urged the fans to stick with the players, and things will come good
Now Sandro Tonali, someone who rarely speaks out, has told journalist Andy Sixsmith that the players are 'giving everything', urging fans to get behind them and stick with them through this difficult spell.
“It’s frustrating that we couldn’t back the PSV game up with a result today. But this is football and we play every three days against top teams.
“We missed some great chances in the first half and against this sort of team we can’t do that.
“When you lose it’s normal for the fans to be frustrated. But we’re giving everything for the team and the supporters. Stick with us - we need to just keep going - keep playing our football and we’ll get there.”
Newcastle fans will stick with the players but they have to show that they deserve that backing
It doesn't feel like everyone is 'giving everything', though, and that's the problem. The biggest culprit of the Champions League/Premier League performance disconnect is Anthony Gordon, who is like Jekyll and Hyde this season.
Fans will always stick with the club and will always back the players on the pitch during games, but when that final whistle blows, that protection ends, and we will criticise, we will pull performances apart, that's just how the game works.
As long as the fans in the stadium don't turn on the players during games, we're all good. Things can always turn around, but the players have to earn that backing; that blind love for the club can only carry people so far.
