Emil Krafth has made it clear that there can be no excuses from Newcastle United in the weekend meeting with rock bottom Sheffield United.
The Magpies thrashed the Yorkshire club 8-0 in the reverse fixture back in September, but go into this encounter on the back of their poorest Premier League display of 2024 away to Crystal Palace. Krafth has called for his team-mates to have a “cup final” mentality in each of the last five matches as they look to secure a place in Europe.
Krafth was sent out by the squad to do the explaining after the defeat in the capital and said: “I am hot happy with the result. But we have to bounce back again next game. We have to play like we have five finals left. Finishing in the top six would be a success this season.
READ MORE: Newcastle squad truth emerges as Eddie Howe keeps quiet about club limitations
READ MORE: Crystal Palace 2-0 Newcastle player ratings: Murphy and Barnes struggle as Isak at least shows fight
“Because if you look at how many injuries we have to finish in the top six would be a very strong season for us. We have had all the injuries and had to rotate so many players, a top six finish would be incredibly strong for us.”
Sheff United will arrive on Tyneside as brave battlers following their efforts against Manchester United with the Blades twice taking the lead before losing 4-2. But this fixture provides Newcastle with the ideal opportunity to hit back after losing to the Eagles in such a meek manner.
The Sweden full-back said: “It is a game we 100% need to win. Especially with it being at home. We had a very exciting season last season. We have had a lot more games and like I have said before, we had a lot of injuries.
“It has been an exciting season but it is not finished yet and we want to finish top six to be in Europe that would be good for us.”
Sweden international Krafth signed an extension to his current deal at Newcastle to keep him on the books until 2025. He shook off a serious knee injury, suffered in August 2022, to return to life with the senior squad this season after a year out.
The World Cup 2018 player said: “I am just very happy to be back playing football again. It has been a long road for me coming back from injury after more than a year. I am happy to be back and I feel better game by game. You feel more confident.”
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/emil-krafth-demands-cup-final-29060453
