Newcastle’s club captain, Jamaal Lascelles has barely featured for the Magpies this season, relegated to bench warmer despite still being the official captain of the team.
Whatever you may think of Lascelles as a player, there’s no question about his professionalism. It was that very trait that landed him the captaincy when he came out after a shocking defeat and laid into his fellow teammates for not pulling their weight in a post-match interview that landed him the armband back in 2016.
Since then, fans have gone from demanding Lascelles gets called up for England to wanting him out of the club and back again, round and round. His form has been inconsistent at best, but when he’s on his game he is a powerhouse.
However, when you have Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn ahead of you in the pecking order, it’s very unlikely that you’re going to see much playing time and that’s something that Lascelles is all too aware of.
Speaking to The Chronicle, Lascelles said “On a personal note I have been on the bench for a while now. I completely understand.
“Especially as a defender, you never change a back four if they are fit and keeping clean sheets. As much as I want to play I totally support that. My work ethic won’t change. “I will always be there when called upon.”
That hasn’t driven Lascelles to look elsewhere, however, as the former Nottingham Forest man is determined to fight for his place and to help Newcastle achieve their lofty goals and credits a positive attitude as an essential component, adding: “I have been in dressing rooms that have been toxic. (the aforementioned rant heavily hinted at this)
“I’d never do that I’d always get behind the lads that aren’t playing and try to lead by example. If it’s not on the pitch it will be in the dressing room. I just think we have got a really special team and everybody is on board. I will support the lads as they’d support me.”