Newcastle United star makes frank admission over form ahead of West Ham United clash

Newcastle United star Dan Burn is determined to silence any doubters over the remainder of the Premier League season.

The former Birmingham City and Fulham defender enjoyed an outstanding first 18 months with his boyhood club after moving to St James Park in a £13m deal from Brighton and Hove Albion during the January 2022 transfer window. After helping Eddie Howe’s side climb away from the relegation zone and into the safety of mid-table during his first six months back in the North East, Burn was the model of consistency as he played a lead role in a Magpies side that reached a first major cup final since 1999 and the Champions League for the first time since the days of Sir Bobby Robson in his first full season with the club.

However, the current campaign has led to criticism of Burn’s performances and there have been some calls for Tino Livramento to been handed a regular place on the left-hand side of Howe’s back four after the England Under-21 international made a number of impressive performances over the course of the season. Burn opened up on the challenges Newcastle have faced during what has been a difficult season and gave an insight into how he views criticism of his own performances in an interview with BBC Sport earlier this week.

He said: “It has been a challenging season. Obviously the amount of injuries, we don’t want to use that as an excuse, but we’ve had a lot. This the first experience for the majority of lads playing European football, we needed that rest mentally as much as physically.

“Yes it’s been tough (personally). You’re playing against the best players in the world. It’s all about consistency at this level and when you’re not playing consistently you come in for criticism. I probably haven’t hit the heights I did last season, but I’m still enjoying it and still want to prove people wrong. I’ve know I’ve got a lot of doubters but I’ve had that all my career so its not changed. I want to work hard and make those improvements.”

Burn is expected to start for Newcastle as they return to Premier League action with a home game against West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime.