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Elliot: 'All About Games'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Rob Elliot believes game time for him and United's other Reserve team players was important against Everton - not the result
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Rob Elliot believes game time was the most important thing to come out of Newcastle United Reserves' defeat at the hands of Everton on Tuesday.
The Magpies suffered a 4-0 home reverse and spent most of the match on the backfoot as a more experienced Toffees outfit dominated for large spells.
But that meant goalkeeper Elliot was busy throughout - making a number of good saves to keep the scoreline down - and the former Charlton man was delighted to get another 90 minutes under his belt as he bids to keep the pressure on United number one Tim Krul.
"Regardless of what standard it is, a game is a game and it keeps you sharp and keeps you ready," Elliot told nufc.co.uk.
"If you want to have a chance of playing for the first team then you need to have games under your belt, and that's what I want to do - make sure that if I am called upon that I am in the right place and have done everything I possibly can to be ready.
"Everton were a bit more dominant, a bit stronger, and we were under pressure at times, but that's just my job as a keeper and you've got to expect it. You take what you can from a game and you make sure that you do your things properly."
Elliot, who arrived on Tyneside in the summer, echoed the post-match sentiments of Reserve team manager Willie Donachie, in stating that the result could be an important learning experience for the youngsters which made up the majority of Newcastle's side.
"You've got to give credit to Everton because they played well, but their age played a part in the match," explained Elliot.
"Because of injuried we had quite a few kids out there, and they did brilliantly, but when they are kids and they play against lads who are two or three years older then they are going to struggle.
"Sometimes you learn more from a defeat like that than a win. You think 'why did we end up losing like that?' rather than winning and just going home and not really thinking about it too much.
"It's all a learning curve. Every footballer has lost heavily at some point, been outplayed, and hopefully it will make the players who really want to make it stronger, and make them want to come back and put it right next time."