The Newcastle goalkeeper was one of the few that could hold his head up after the Magpies flopped at Palace
Newcastle United’s Aaron Ramsdale claps the fans following the Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United star Aaron Ramsdale has warned his team-mates they now need to win all six of their remaining fixtures to clamber into Europe next season.
A weekend capitulation at Selhurst Park left Newcastle in 14th place with Eddie Howe facing his lowest ever finish as Toon boss unless he can turn things around in the last few matches of what has been a testing campaign.
Ramsdale made some fine saves in the 2-1 defeat but could do nothing to stop Jean-Philippe Mateta’s double blast.
Newcastle are five points off a potential European place and face in form AFC Bournemouth at St James’ Park next before a tough trip to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium before April is out.
Speaking on Newcastle’s slim European hopes, Ramsdale said: “I’m not too sure if it’s over. We want to win every single game and we are ready to fight in every single game, but we slipped up again.
“So we need to find some solutions to keeping hold of a lead in matches and taking three points.”
The Magpies have dropped an incredible 25 points from winning positions this season and would be flying high if only they’d have been able to hold on to a lead. It is a whopping five points more from commanding positions than any other side in the Premier League.
Ramsdale said: “It’s probably the story of our season – getting into winning positions and not being able to hold on. I can’t really put my finger on it, but we are working hard to come up with something.
“We could’ve gone two or three goals up on another day. It wasn’t to be.”
When asked if Newcastle’s chances of victory disappeared at Palace when the physical presence of Mateta was added to the equation, Ramsdale said: “I don’t know if that changed the whole structure of the game. We were still in control, passing the ball around, and creating chances.
“It’s hard to say what actually happened straight off the back of it. It’s a really disappointing afternoon after a good 85 minutes.”
Attention on Tyneside quickly turn to that visit of Bournemouth at St James’ Park as Newcastle take on an Andoni Iraola side who are 11 games unbeaten in the top flight.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, Ramsdale said: “We have six massive games and 18 points to play for. You never know what can happen but we need to get a win.
“We need to pick some momentum up for the rest of the season. If you ask anyone in the dressing room we’d play as soon as possible and try to rectify this.
“We’ve got a good week on the training ground now and it is down to us to put the performance in on Saturday in front of our home fans.
“That is something they deserve. Like I said that can be the catalyst to go on a run, hopefully get six wins, 18 points and anything can happen with the league table.”
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