Source: Northern_Echo
Lovenkrands: 'No time for egos at St James' Park'
PETER Lovenkrands has a message for all prospective summer arrivals at Newcastle United - Leave your ego at the entrance door.[LNB] With just one weekend of the current Premier League season to go, thoughts are already turning to this summer's dealings in the transfer market.[LNB] Magpies manager Alan Pardew spoke of adding one or two big players in the wake of Sunday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, and has previously pledged to invest the £35m that was received from the sale of Andy Carroll in January.[LNB] Newcastle scouts have watched games in France and Germany in recent weeks, while domestic-based players such as Charles N'Zogbia and Carlton Cole have also been linked with possible moves to Tyneside.[LNB] Lovenkrands is hoping significant investment occurs, but is adamant any new arrivals will have to embrace the strong team spirit that has helped United pull comfortably clear of the relegation zone this season.[LNB] Hopefully there'll be a couple of new arrivals in the summer, but whoever comes into the club will have to buy in to the spirit that's already here, said the Danish striker, who was one of Newcastle's most impressive performers at Stamford Bridge.[LNB] I think whoever comes into the club will learn pretty quickly that we're a team and one of our biggest strengths is the way we stick together.[LNB] The whole of the squad works for each other. You only have to look at the Chelsea game to see that - some key players were missing, but the rest of the lads were determined to come in and do well for the good of the group.[LNB] That won't disappear in the summer. We'll come back at the start of pre-season and the spirit will still be there.[LNB] This time last year, Newcastle's players were celebrating their promotion back into the Premier League after a season in the Championship.[LNB] The bulk of the promotion-winning squad have contributed to the current campaign, with the unity and camaraderie that was fostered in the Football League regularly cited as a key factor in the club's success.[LNB] It was evident at the weekend, as Newcastle twice came from behind to claim a point against a Chelsea side that were challenging for the title as recently as nine days ago, and has undoubtedly contributed to an impressive tally of ten points from matches against Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.[LNB] We've shown great resilience and team spirit through the whole of the season, said Lovenkrands. We've shown we can go to some of the toughest grounds in the country and get a result, and you don't do that unless you have a real togetherness and belief in the dressing room.[LNB] We've had a lot of good results away from home, and that just shows the character we have at the club. You need that if you're going to achieve anything.[LNB] We've shown good character all season, but we have to make sure we take it into next year. We'll have a good break, and hopefully there'll be a couple of new faces to greet us when we come back.[LNB] Then we can look to do the same things that we've done this year, because we can be pleased with the progress we've made.[LNB] On a personal basis, Lovenkrands has also made giant strides, establishing himself as a proven Premier League striker.[LNB] He has scored five goals in 24 appearances, but the bare facts of his statistics do not reflect the quality of his performances, many of which have come in a supporting striker role or on the right of midfield.[LNB] It's been a fantastic season for me personally, said the 31-year-old. A lot of things have happened with the club, and a few injuries here and there have given me a chance to play. But I think I've taken that chance and justified my place in the team.[LNB] I think I've shown great commitment, and I'm really proud of the way my season has gone. I just hope I can be involved as much next season and prove to people again that they can rely on me. My job is to help as much as I can.[LNB]
