Kieran Trippier has hailed the efforts of Newcastle United fans after going the extra mile to back the team last night at Arsenal.
The England international knows that supporters battled through train strikes and power failures on some lines to make it to the Emirates Stadium, just days after the festive period and amid a cost of living crisis. The response of the 3,000 Toon fans was breathtaking as throw-ins and corners were cheered loudly as the game wore on befoe the players and fans celebrated an excellent Premier League point at the end together.
Trippier told Chronicle Live: "It just shows the commitment from them. Every game I've been at has been a sell-out.
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"We understand as players that it can be difficult with the trains. We have our families coming down as well and it has been difficult for them. They still came down in huge numbers though. Us players recognise that."
Trippier has been outstanding since arriving from Atletico Madrid last January but quickly understood what fans on Tyneside want. The full-back is one of the few outside the area to realise that it boils down to effort on the field, not a demand for victories.
Trippier reflected: "As players, and I have thought this since I first came here, that it is expected that us as players give everything on the pitch. OK, if you aren't performing make sure you run. Make sure you give everything for those fans.
"As long as they see you trying hard that is the most important thing. I feel like this season everybody is in a positive mood, especially the supporters. It has been a long time for them. But we just need to keep building, we keep saying it, but that's the truth."
Newcastle are now 13 matches unbeaten and have not lost a game for five months. But Trippier feels United can't get ahead of themselves.
The England defender added: "We now need to take the positives from the game. We can do better at times. In the game against Arsenal we could have kept the ball better. But overall a clean sheet again and this was a massive point."
Trippier says Newcastle were trying to win the game at Arsenal but underlined the importance of players dropping back to help. It was something the defender pinpointed in his team debrief at the Emirates.
Trippier said: "Definitely. We had some good chances, one right at half-time through Joelinton at the back post. In these games you do need to take your chances. But we can't be too critical because we defended well.
"You have to give huge credit to the wingers the way they helped me and Burnie out, Miggy and Joelinton, Longy as well. I explained to them how much of a help that is to full-backs. They deserve huge credit."
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