Xisco distracted by Toon turmoil

Summer signing striving to maintain focus

Last updated: 17th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Xisco distracted by Toon turmoil

Xisco: Concerned

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Spanish striker Xisco admits the off-field distractions at Newcastle are having a damaging effect upon the St James' Park squad.

The Magpies remain without a manager following the resignation of Kevin Keegan earlier in September, and Newcastle owner Mike Ashley recently announced that he was looking to sell the club.

It is reported Ashley is asking for a fee in the region of £481million and that he is in discussions with a Dubai-based group of investors, but Tyneside fans are continuing to voice concerns.

The Toon Army staged angry protests against Ashley in last Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Hull, a game in which summer signing Xisco marked his debut with a goal.

And the former Deportivo La Coruna player confesses that the boardroom trauma is a disruptive influence, telling Marca: "The players are on the outskirts of all this, and these are things that don't help the team.

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"We have to try to remain focused and play well in the games ahead. Then, when things are sorted, then we'll look at it.

"Now we have to concentrate on getting a good streak of results and nothing else."

And the 22-year-old was surprised by the reaction of members of the home crowd last weekend.

"It was a feeling that I had never experienced before. I have seen few places so animated," Xisco added.

"It's a pity that we couldn't win the game because then my debut would have been perfect. I'm happy to have scored a goal but the joy wasn't complete."