Newcastle United midfielder Vurnon Anita demands sharper finishing
Sunday 1 November 2015 15:18, UK
Vurnon Anita has told his Newcastle team-mates they need to develop a ruthless streak if they are to survive in the Premier League.
Steve McClaren's side can take some positives from their goalless draw at home to Stoke, their first game since they lost 3-0 to rivals Sunderland in the Wear-Tyne derby.
Newcastle created plenty of chances at St James' Park but were repeatedly denied by England goalkeeper Jack Butland, who pulled off a string of fine saves and saw one effort come back off the crossbar to earn a point for his side.
The Magpies remain in the relegation zone but Anita sees some reasons for optimism, as long as they can be more clinical in front of goal.
"We played very good football, created a lot of chances and now we need to work on the finishing," Anita told Newcastle's official website.
"We had to respond with good football, a lot of chances, and at the back, we did very well and kept a clean sheet.
"We need to keep on working from the back and don't concede goals. Today, we did that well, but unfortunately we didn't score."
Butland enjoyed some good fortune with 28 minutes gone when Aleksandar Mitrovic glanced Moussa Sissoko's cross past him, only for the ball to come back off the inside of the far post.
But he produced some stunning second half saves to deny Sissoko twice, Ayoze Perez and just before the final whistle, substitute Jamaal Lascelles.
Asked if he had seen a better goalkeeping performance this season, Anita said: "Not with so many chances.
"We have played a couple of good games and today was a good game for us. Unfortunately, we didn't score one of the chances."
