Newcastle may have found points much easier to come by in the second tier but their captain says they cannot afford to take their eye off the ball.
Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has warned his team-mates that they cannot let their focus drop against less-fancied Championship outfits, according to the Chronicle.
The Magpies are currently third in the standings having won seven of their first eleven games since their abject relegation from the Premier League last season, but have dropped points unexpectedly against the likes of Wolves, Fulham and Aston Villa.
And Lascelles, who marshalled his defence immensely in Newcastle’s narrow 1-0 away win Rotherham last time out, says the promotion favourites must approach every game with the same determined attitude or risk slipping up in one of Europe’s most unpredictable leagues.
“I respect this league massively and I was telling the boys before the Rotherham game we can’t get complacent,” the 22-year-old, who cut his teeth at Championship level with Nottingham Forest, told the Chronicle.
“We had to prepare for Rotherham the same way we do for Norwich (below) and Villa and all the big teams. In the Championship it is all about whoever turns up on the day. Thankfully, we have been turning up.
“We have to keep it that way and not let things slip.”
Newcastle are due to welcome Brentford to St James’ Park after the international break in a match that should prove a test of their application, with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Reading and Brighton (below) already being stung by the Bees this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
