Nicky Butt Admits Newcastle United Desperation

Newcastle United are now only keeping themselves out of the Premier League's relegation zone by virtue of goal difference, and midifelder Nicky Butt has admitted that this weekend's trip to East Yorkshire to face Hull City is a game that the Magpies absolutely must win.

The Tigers are four points ahead of the Toon, and do not want to be dragged firmly into the mire of a relegation battle that they had looked like avoiding for much of this campaign.

For that reason, Butt, who hopes to make a return from a knee injury at the KC Stadium, is expecting a "battle" on Humberside, as indeed he is for all of the Toon's remaining fixtures.

"These games are going to be battles," the former England international told The Newcastle Chronicle.

"It’s been a bad season, we know that. There is no point feeling sorry for ourselves. All we can do is concentrate on getting as many points as we can. We can’t worry about how bad it is or how other teams do, we just need to get as many points as we can.

"Our last away game at Bolton was not a good performance. It was scrappy and games like that are always going to be. We need to start taking our chances in away games.

"Bolton had one shot on goal and scored – we had a few and didn’t. It was a bad performance for us. We are better than that, we know we are.

"But it’s getting desperate now and we need to start picking up points."

Newcastle were beaten 1-0 at Bolton, and many of the United supporters vented their frustration vocally at a pretty dire preformance. Butt can understand their feelings, but would like everyone connected with the club to pull together and keep them in the Premier League.

"I can fully understand it," he added. "I think the fans had thought we’d turned the corner and they were up for it again. They were singing and getting behind us. Then after a couple of results they are sickened again.

"It’s a sickener for us, too, and the staff. But we need the players, fans and staff all together if we are to turn the corner."

Zack Wilson, Goal.com