Source: Telegraph
Newcastle united for scrap says Alan Smith
Smith sounded a rallying call as set his sights on bolstering Newcastle's fight for Premier League safety that begins in earnest at Hull's KC Stadium on Saturday. [LNB]"There's 10 cup finals left," the former Leeds and Manchester United player said. "I know that's an old cliche, but it's true. [LNB] Related ArticlesCarroll signs up for Newcastle's survival fight[LNB]Newcastle in plea to fans[LNB]Kinnear targets return[LNB]Steven Taylor issues Newcastle rallying cry ahead of Arsenal at St James's Park[LNB]Newcastle's Michael Owen bills Hull tie as most crucial match since he signed[LNB]Alan Smith out to avoid double dose of misery with Newcastle[LNB]"There's a lot of players at this football club who want to do well for this football club, and no one wants a relegation on their CV." [LNB]According to Smith, who started his first game of the season due to injury in last week's 2-1 defeat by United, the Newcastle camp is focused on a common purpose. [LNB]"We've got to look forward, take the positives out of the Man United game, and go to Hull with confidence," Smith added. [LNB]"We've got a great togetherness and a great belief, and everyone's going in the right direction. [LNB]"I know Hull won last week, but they've had a few bad results. There's no reason why we can't get a result. We've all got to be positive. [LNB]Smith added: "As a team we've not got what we've deserved a lot of the time - we just need a little bit of luck to go our way some time. [LNB]"Even at Bolton, there wasn't much in the game, but we conceded a poor goal. [LNB]"If you can keep Manchester United at bay for as long as we did, you've got to take confidence from that. [LNB]"They didn't create a lot of opportunities. Their goal was a deflection that Harps (Steve Harper) would probably have saved. [LNB]"But it was a mistake for the second goal, and we've got to try and eradicate that." [LNB]Newcastle vice-captain Nicky Butt, who is due to return to action against Hull following injury, is prepared for relegation dogfight. [LNB]"These games are going to be battles," Butt said. "It's been a bad season, we know that. There is no point feeling sorry for ourselves. [LNB]"All we can do is concentrate on getting as many points as we can. We can't worry about how bad it is or how other teams do, we just need to get as many points as we can. [LNB]"Our last away game at Bolton was not a good performance. It was scrappy and games like that are always going to be. We need to start taking our chances in away games. Bolton had one shot on goal and scored - we had a few and didn't. It was a bad performance for us. [LNB]"We are better than that, we know we are. But it's getting desperate now and we need to start picking up points." [LNB]Butt said he sympathised with those fans who have vented their anger towards the team and caretaker manager Chris Hughton. [LNB]"I can fully understand it," Butt added. "I think the fans had thought we' d turned the corner and they were up for it again. [LNB]"They were singing and getting behind us. Then after a couple of results they are sickened again. [LNB]"It's a sickener for us, too, and the staff. But we need the players, fans and staff all together if we are to turn the corner."[LNB]
