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Lascelles - "We Need To Be A Bit More Clinical"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Jamaal Lascelles has called on his Magpies teammates to show more of a killer touch in front of goal
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Jamaal Lascelles has called on Newcastle United to show more of a killer touch in front of goal after Monday night's narrow defeat at Barclays Premier League leaders Leicester City.
Shinji Okazaki's spectacular first-half effort was all that separated the two teams at the King Power Stadium as United fought valiantly to salvage a point in Rafa Benitez's first game in charge.
Former Nottingham Forest defender Lascelles started alongside Steven Taylor at the heart of the Magpies defence.
And the 22-year-old said that he reckoned Benitez's men were on top after the break, even though they couldn't quite find a leveller against the Foxes - but highlighted how crucial it is for Newcastle to convert the chances that are presented to them.
"The gaffer gave us a gameplan to stick to and I thought we did that really well. He told us to stay a little bit deeper because Leicester like to play the ball in behind, and in terms of that I felt we kept Jamie Vardy pretty quiet. He's a prolific goalscorer," Lascelles told nufcTV.
"Second half, I thought we were miles the better team and back in the changing room the boys were so disappointed and a bit upset really, because we worked so hard and lacked concentration. Down the other end, we had chances.
"Our build up towards the goal was excellent, we got in really good areas and we supported from the back, but maybe we need to be a bit more clinical or ruthless in front of goal."
He added: "They got one opportunity all game and they scored, over the night they didn't really have much. I think we had three or four chances, but that's football and all we can do is concentrate on the next game."
Newcastle's next outing, of course, is at home to Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.
Lascelles revealed that the squad had heeded the messages delivered by new boss Benitez in the build-up to the Leicester clash.
But he reiterated the need for United to "stay positive and keep fighting" as they reach the critical stage of the season, with this weekend's derby a significant one for both sides.
"He's done a bit more tactical shape in training which the boys have taken on excellently, especially against this team (Leicester)," said Lascelles.
"I think the game on Sunday against Sunderland - we have to win that. We literally have to win. I think we've not beaten them in seven games, but we've just got to go into that confident and we can take positives out of the game (on Monday).
"We've had chances, and in previous weeks we haven't been able to create them. Other than the goal, defensively we were pretty solid, but we've just got to stay positive and keep fighting."
You can see the full nufcTV interview with Jamaal Lascelles here