There is an incredible sense of team spirit at Newcastle United right now, and Kieran Trippier believes it is epitomised by two players in particular.
The Newcastle defender has heaped praise on Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, both for their performances on the pitch and their attitudes off it.
Both strikers are playing exceptionally right now, and it is giving Eddie Howe a real selection headache. Wilson has responded incredibly to losing his place to Isak, who has really started to show why Newcastle paid so much money for him.
Since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United, Wilson and Isak have scored 14 goals between them, both reaching double figures for the season.
They are getting the best out of each other, and Trippier believes that their recent form highlights the strength in the dressing room that Howe has created at St James’ Park.
Trippier seriously impressed with Wilson and Isak
Trippier has spoke about the Newcastle dressing room on the High Performance Podcast.
“You need to have the right characters who are on the same page, pulling in one direction,” he said.
“The manager has been a big believer in that – the way he wants the club to be run, the way he sets his teams up. You need to have a good dressing room. How are people going to handle themselves when they’re not in the squad, when they’re not playing?
“For example, you look at Wilson and Alex now. Two on fire strikers. There’s no bitterness. There’s no complaining. They’re both just ready and if you have that in your team that will take you so far.”
Great attitudes at Newcastle
As Trippier says, Howe has made an effort to ensure Newcastle have the right characters. You can have all the talent in the world, but you need to have the right attitude as well.
That is why the Magpies’ recent recruitment is so impressive. The club have spent a lot of money, but ensured that every player is still pulling in the right direction.
The Wilson and Isak example sums that up perfectly. They are two players competing for one position, getting the best out of each other as they drag the club towards Champions League qualification.
It would have been easy for Isak to sulk about being on the bench after costing so much money. It would have been easy for Wilson to twist when he lost his place in the side. But they have both raised each other’s game, and epitomise what Howe wants from his squad.
They were given the chance to start together for the first time against Arsenal, but sadly it did not deliver another victory. Now the Toon boss needs to decide if he should bench one of them against Leeds on Saturday.
If he does, there will be no bitterness or complaining.
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