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Coloccini Defiant Despite Baggies Defeat
Written by Newcastle Utd
Fabricio Coloccini insists he and his teammates will do everything possible to drag United to safety
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Fabricio Coloccini insists he and his teammates will do everything possible to drag Newcastle United to Barclays Premier League safety.
A 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Monday - their second loss in less than 48 hours - meant the Magpies will end 2015 in the top flight's relegation zone.
A late header from Baggies skipper Darren Fletcher was the difference at the Hawthorns, and while United had their chances, Coloccini admitted they were nowhere near their best and need to be more ruthless at both ends of the pitch.
"We are all disappointed. It is similar to the Everton game (on Boxing Day), losing by a late goal from a cross," Newcastle's captain told nufc.co.uk following the final whistle.
"We didn't play well. We had a couple of chances but we didn't score and we have now lost two games in three days.
"We defended well for big parts of the game but you cannot defend for 95 minutes. The opposition are always going to have a chance that way, and they may score.
"When we get chances we have to take them. The Premier League is very difficult and you have to score when the opportunity is there.
"It has been a very tough year and there are so many things we need to improve on.
"Hopefully we can put those things right over the next year, improve on the mistakes we are making. We have to work hard to turn this situation around as soon as possible, and we will do that. We are going to work very hard to get out of the relegation zone."
United lost goalkeeper Rob Elliot to illness less than an hour before kick-off, meaning a late change to the team sheet and a Barclays Premier League debut for Karl Darlow.
But Coloccini refused to use that as an excuse for the Magpies' subsequent defeat.
"When a player gets injured in the warm-up, or is sick like Robbie, and the team has to change it is always difficult," he continued.
"But we cannot say that was why we lost. There is always a teammate who can come in and do the same work and today that was Karl.
"Karl is a very good goalkeeper, we trust him and have confidence in him. The result was not because of the change."