Newcastle United captain Dan Burn has stated the team thrives with an 'us against the world' mentality as they approach the new Premier League season. Burn made the comments this week, reported by the BBC, following a summer of significant change at St James' Park.
The defender is now a senior figure in a squad that has seen high-profile departures and the arrival of several young players. Head coach Matthias Jaissle, who replaced Eddie Howe, has brought in a new backroom staff and signed a group of players aged 24 and under, including Lukas Hornicek and Aladji Bamba. The club is also progressing with a move for Benfica right-back Amar Dedic.
What did Dan Burn say about the team's mentality?
Burn explained that Newcastle have historically been at their best when written off. He pointed to the period when the club qualified for the Champions League and won the EFL Cup as an example of their fighting spirit. "We've always done well as a team when we have that thing where it's us against the world," Burn said. "I feel like we were always written off a little bit. We always seem to be backs against the wall fighting."
The new captain wants to recapture the intimidating edge the team had under previous management. He suggested rule interpretations had hampered their physical style last season, when they finished 12th. "People feared us and didn't want to play against us," Burn recalled. "I'd love for us to have a bit of that. All the best teams seem to."
How is the new-look Newcastle squad shaping up?
Jaissle has described this period as one of "transition," a sentiment echoed by Burn. The defender admitted he is still learning the names of new staff and teammates after his post-World Cup break. The influx of young talent means none of the new signings have prior Premier League experience, placing a greater onus on established players like Burn to set standards.
Burn believes there is clear ability within the group, even if it's too early to identify the next star like the departed Bruno Guimaraes. His role will be vital in integrating the new arrivals and helping them understand what it means to play for Newcastle. Fans can track the development of the entire group on the club's squad page.
What are the immediate challenges for Newcastle?
The first test for this evolving side comes at home to Liverpool on Sunday, September 5th. The match will be an emotional occasion as the stadium pays tribute to the late Kevin Keegan, a legend for both clubs. Burn, who had lunch with Keegan in May, said the former manager was a "great person to be around" and that the city needs no extra motivation for the fixture.
Looking at the broader schedule, the encounter with Liverpool kicks off a demanding run of early-season fixtures. Supporters can view the full calendar on our fixtures page. Burn's aim is to steer Newcastle back into European competition, using that familiar underdog spirit as a driving force. The team's current position in the standings will be one early measure of their progress.
Newcastle's final pre-season outing was a 1-1 draw with Strasbourg. The club's focus now shifts entirely to the Premier League, with Burn committed to leading the new generation through this period of change. Their next competitive match is against Bournemouth at St James' Park on September 5th.
