'100%' - Newcastle United summer signing gives dressing room insight ahead of Arsenal & Man Utd
Newcastle United goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek has given his take on the mood at the club heading into the second international break of the season.
Lukas Hornicek believes Newcastle United are feeling ‘positive 100%’ despite a stuttering run of form in the Premier League.
The first international break saw Newcastle head into it with just one defeat in their first seven matches in all competitions under new head coach Matthias Jaissle. But the second block of fixtures in October and November has seen the Magpies knocked out of the Carabao Cup and take just four points out of a possible 15 against Coventry City, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Everton and Fulham.
Hornicek has started all 10 Premier League matches for Newcastle since his £26million summer transfer from Braga and has already experienced the highs and lows of life as a goalkeeper. Having conceded four goals away at Leeds and Coventry, Hornicek’s mistake against Everton was punished with a goal at St James’ Park last week.
But the Czech international bounced back with a man-of-the-match display in the 1-1 draw at Fulham on Saturday.
“I think I did good [against Fulham],” Hornicek said. “Of course, the goals like the one against Everton, it's part of my job, unfortunately.
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“It's not the nice part, but we have to keep moving, we have to keep working on and be trying better every game.
The draw leaves Newcastle 12th in the Premier League table with 12 points after 10 games. They are four points above the relegation zone and four points behind the potential Champions League places with over a quarter of the season played.
Despite the recent poor form from the side, Hornicek and his teammates are keeping the faith heading into a tough run of fixtures after the international break.
“Positive, 100%,” Hornicek insisted. “We showed ourselves that we are able to play against a team like Fulham. We made them play the style of game they don't like, they usually like to play tiki-taka.
“We showed ourselves that we are able to play against everybody and there wasn't much missing from us to be more happy.”
Hornicek has joined up with the Czechia squad for the international break before Newcastle host Premier League leaders Arsenal at St James’ Park on November 21 (5:30pm kick-off). After that the Magpies travel to Brighton & Hove Albion before hosting Manchester United and Sunderland at St James’ Park in quick succession.