Kieran Trippier has joked the only thing going through his mind when he steps up to take a free-kick for Newcastle United is 'to score'. The England international has proven lethal from dead-ball situations during his short stint at St James' Park so far.
Trippier's first free-kick resulted in a stunning strike past international team-mate Jordan Pickford in the home victory over Everton in February. This was followed up with another successful effort on home soil five days later, with what proved to be the winning goal against Aston Villa.
Injury in the same match almost ruled Trippier out for the rest of the season, with the full-back making his comeback as a substitute in the heavy defeat at Manchester City in May. The January signing would go on to score his third free-kick for the Magpies against the same opponent during the thrilling 3-3 draw last month.
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It meant Trippier until recently boasted a remarkable success rate of three goals from four free-kicks for Newcastle. The defender has since had unsuccessful efforts, including a strike which hit the post in the recent draw to Bournemouth, and he was asked about his process when he steps up to a set-piece situation.
Trippier told NUFC TV: "To score! When a free-kick comes in these positions, it's just about feeling confident. It's about getting it on target most importantly, but I believe in myself with every corner that I can put it on a plate, or with every free-kick.
"You have to feel like that, you have to believe in yourself. If not, it's not going to come off. Every opportunity I get, whether it's a corner or a free-kick or whatever it is, I try to put it on a sixpence for my team-mates or in the back of the net.
"Some go in and some don't, but hopefully I can score many more this season."
This record has inevitably prompted questions over Trippier's set-piece standing in the Premier League. The 32-year-old believes he is among the division's best, but could not hide his admiration for Southampton star James Ward-Prowse.
Trippier added: "For me, being honest Prowsey...I've seen him on them for England and I've seen him week in, week out in the Prem. He's ridiculous, I've seen him in training. You've got Trent [Alexander-Arnold]... I could go through loads of players.
"We've got a load of good specialists in the Premier League. I'd back myself up there, but we've got a lot of good ones."
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