Burn can reflect on a season to remember

A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE FOR DEFENDER DAN, BUT ONE HE REALLY ENJOYED

NEWCASTLE United star Dan Burn has finally been able to have a period of reflection after what has been a roller-coaster 2022 so far.

The Blyth-born centre-back has been one of the best poundfor-pound signings in United’s recent history, his £13million fee repaid within games after rock -solid performances from the former Brighton defender helped the Magpies seal Premier League survival with plenty of time to spare.

The switch from Albion was a dream move for the 6ft 7in stopper and while he has enjoyed every moment he has also had to lock into his A-game and focus on the job of staying up.

When the former Blyth Spartans player was asked if it had essentially been a case of Roy -of-the-rovers stuff, he admitted he had been dialled into winning matches ahead of anything else.

After once wearing his Newcastle shirt on his holidays, he now finds himself heading for sunnier climes as a fully-fledged Toon star.

Burn told the Chronicle: “I haven’t been able to think too much about it all really.

“You get caught up in it in terms of playing.

“In the off season I can sit back and think about the season we have had. As a club it has been great.

“As a Newcastle United player I’ve been able to play at St James’ Park and be a part of it.

“I have tried not to think too much about it because I think you can get caught up in it all but in the summer you can reflect more.”

Standards at Newcastle have gone up in the last six months with defenders, not least with international stars like Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes around, and failing to keep a clean sheet, even in victory, is now deemed as a negative.

Burn spoke about those standards and added: “As a defender, you always want a clean sheet anyway.

“It would have been nice to finish off on one at Burnley but we have really set the standards now, Arsenal being a great example.

“That is the standard we now expect of ourselves every week.

“The more consistent we can be in terms of our performances the more positive results we will achieve.”

Newcastle will learn who their opening-day opponents will be on Thursday when the Premier League fixtures for 2022-23 are released.

The Magpies finished 11th last term and will look for a top-10 tilt.

Burn said: “We are really happy - from the position we were in to where we finished to get 49 points and finish 11th represented a very good season.”

In the off season I can sit back and think about the season we’ve had. As a club it has been great.

Dan Burn