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Anita Aims To Be A Goal-Getter
Written by Newcastle Utd
Vurnon Anita plans to be a key figure for Newcastle during the 2014/15 season, adding goals to his game
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Vurnon Anita plans to be a key figure for Newcastle United during the 2014/15 season, adding goals to his ever-improving game.
The Dutch midfielder arrived on Tyneside in the summer of 2012 from Ajax and endured a tricky first campaign in English football as he got to grips with a new culture, new league and new club.
However, 31 starts last season were combined with plenty of impressive displays in the Magpies' number eight shirt, as Anita proved his worth, and now the 25-year-old wants to play an even more influential role.
Currently holidaying in his birthland - the Caribbean islands of the Netherlands Antilles - Anita has identified a need to start producing in the final third, after only two Newcastle goals in as many seasons.
"For myself, I think the season went well," he told nufc.co.uk.
"I played more games than the previous season and I think I was more consistent as well. I learned a lot more about the English game and I hope to bring that to the team next year and be more important for the team. I will always work hard for the team, and the Club.
"Last season I only scored once and that is something I am looking to improve on. When we come back for pre-season I will work hard on my finishing to score more goals next season.
"I want to score more goals and I want to get more than Moussa. He is always reminding me that he has scored more than me, so next year my goal is to beat him!"
As well as improving on a personal level, Anita is determined to help United continue pushing up the Barclays Premier League table following last term's tenth-place finish.
"It was a season of ups and down but I think it was a quite good season overall," he explained.
"Our goal was to finish in the top ten, which we have to be happy with.
"It was better than (the 2012/13 sason), so we are improving and we hope for next season to be even better again.
"We want more consistency. We would like to improve and finish in the top six."
Vurnon Anita is wearing Newcastle United's 2014/15 change kit. To purchase yours, click here.