Matt Ritchie has warned that Newcastle United’s current crop of players must rely on their “togetherness” if they are to achieve a positive season.
The Magpies have a rich Premier League history of signing marquee players such as Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Laurent Robert and Tino Asprilla.
Portraits of the such stars still hang proudly around the concourses of St James’ Park.
But Ritchie knows that times are very different at United and has no problem with focusing on a work ethic rather than flamboyance and stardom.
Speaking after Newcastle earned a decent point at one of United’s bogey grounds, Ritchie said: “Togetherness is the key for us. “We’re not going to be a team with superstars, it’s about the team as a collective.
“Everyone has to be together.
“It’s not going to be about 11 of us, it’s going to need everyone.
“There are 25 in the squad, and we’re all going to have to contribute.
“We need to continue fighting.
“We’ve come away from Southampton a bit disappointed not to have taken the three points, and that’s a positive thing.”
And while last season’s top scorer Dwight Gayle - who grabbed 23 in the Championship - is yet to get off the mark, Ritchie feels goals can flow from other areas.
He said: “We’ve shown this season that we’ve got goals right through the team.
“The two lads who scored at the weekend were getting their first goals of the season, and it’s great to see everybody chipping in. “That’s what we need.
“We need goals and assists from everywhere, and if you’re getting that from all over the pitch, it can only be a good thing.”
