Toon Legend Takes Swipe At Newcastle Squad For Complaining They're "Knackered" Already
Rob Lee thinks NUFC need to get used to playing game after game if they are to win trophies.
Rob Lee believes some players have "struggled to adapt to the pace of life" in the Barclays Premier League due to the short intervals between fixtures - but insists Newcastle United squad must get used to that if they want to end the club's 47-year trophy drought. The Magpies host Northampton Town at St James' Park in the Capital One Cup Second Round on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off) having already played three Premier League fixtures without recording a victory. First-team players such as Tim Krul have suggested that some of the Magpies' squad are "knackered" already, but Newcastle legend Lee does not believe the players can use that as an excuse not to win a tournament. 
"So some Newcastle players are saying theyre 'knackered' after playing four games in just 17 days - well thats just the way the Premier League is. "Games have always come thick and fast and if you want to win trophies - and that is definitely Newcastles aim - you have to compete in a lot of competitions. "I know that is the reason why some foreign players have struggled to adapt to the pace of life in the Premier League in the past but it is part and parcel of British football. "I am sure the manager and his coaching staff will take into account the amount of games already played and the fixtures ahead and adapt the training to suit. "I was a player who always preferred playing to training and I believe that you can only really get match sharp by playing competitive games. Training may well get you fit but its no match for the real thing."Following Lee's remarks, it will be interesting to see how many first-team players Steve McClaren actually rests on Tuesday evening. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.