‘I know my importance’ - Joelinton admits ‘frustration’ at Newcastle United
Joelinton returned to Newcastle United’s starting line-up and put in a man-of-the-match performance against Burnley.
Joelinton is confident he has banished his Newcastle United injury woes and the club’s stuttering season can be “turned” around.
The Brazilian returned to the Toon line-up against Burnley following a groin injury and broke the deadlock after just one minute. NewcastleWorld gave Joelinton the man-of-the-match award in our official player ratings.
He played 94 minutes and came through unscathed - welcome news for the Magpies ahead of Crystal Palace this weekend. Joelinton confirmed post-match that his injury niggles have been “frustrating” as he knows how important his efforts are to the team.
‘It’s been frustrating’ - Joelinton
“In the Premier League, it was such an important game and we knew it,” Joelinton told NewcastleWorld. “A lot of pressure. I think we did really well today. Every game is like a final - you have to give your best.
“It's been frustrating to be away from the team, to be on the bench and not able to play important games that we had. I'm happy to be back today, I know my importance for the team. I know if I'm at my best, I can help the team in different ways. I hope I can be back at my best level in fitness and play my best football to help the team.”
Joelinton confident of Newcastle United turnaround
Joelinton also backed the talent in Newcastle’s squad to shine through and salvage a stuttering Premier League season. He added: “We have great players here. Players that have been here a long time and bring success to the club as well.
“We know we've been very inconsistent this season, but I believe the squad, I believe everyone here. I think we have a great team, great character and we still can turn this season around and be successful.”
Eddie Howe reacts
Giving his thoughts on the three points, Eddie Howe said: “Yes, a massive win for us. I don't think it really matters tonight so much in terms of how we did it, we just needed to do it. A really strong start from us, in recognition of how important the game was for us. I can't praise the players enough for how we battled through it.
“It was never going to be easy tonight. That second half was a massive 45 minutes for us. We needed to get over the line and put credit to the players for how they saw the game out and the character of the group.
“In my opinion, we're moving in the right direction in terms of level of performance. I think over time, if you continue to play well, I thought Manchester United were a case in point. I don't think we played badly and I think we had chances to get more from the game, but we didn't take the general performance for strong.
“I think over time you will win games with the quality of players that we have and I think that showed today. We're not at our most confident level at the moment, I think that's obvious, but I do think it's a confidence issue more than anything else. And the only way to resolve that is to win games.”