As reported by the Chronicle, Jamaal Lascelles has given an interview about this season and made reference to his role as captain, claiming that it is his “job” to ensure Newcastle are “on it”.
Lascelles said of the league: “It’s very physical and I have always said it’s about who turns up and wants it more on the day.
“As was shown last week, you can keep possession and play pretty football but if the other team are resilient and they catch you with a free-kick or corner…
“You have to be on your job and anybody can win in the Championship.
“So it is my job, and a few others, to make sure we are on it and giving our all.”
“We’re looking forward to it, we have prepared the way we’d do so for any game.
“We have beaten them before and we can beat them again.”
With this attitude it is no surprise that Lascelles was chosen as Benitez’s captain this season, and it is this desire that separtes him from Newcastle’s last captain, Fabricio Coloccini.
