Milner - We can handle pressure

[Scottish Mag 3]

James Milner believes that nothing less than a victory will do for Newcastle against Birmingham on Saturday.

 

The Magpies produced their best display of the season against Arsenal on Wednesday night, the 1-1 draw lifting some of the pressure which had been building on manager Sam Allardyce.

 

England U21 winger Milner is hopeful that the confidence gained from that result will see them go one better this weekend against Birmingham, but admits that being at a club the size of Newcastle means that the players are always under pressure to perform.

 

"We have not performed as well as we should have in a few games, but we want to change that against Birmingham," Milner said.

 

"Not performing will always create pressure, but there is pressure every time you walk out on to the field.

 

"Playing for a massive club like Newcastle means you are under pressure, but it is how you deal with that.

 

"If you cannot handle the pressure, then you should not be at the club.

 

"There's always going to be a lot said about you when things are not going your way. It is just a case of sticking together.

 

"It was only a point against Arsenal and now we need to make sure we go out and get the win against Birmingham. Nothing less than three points will do for us on Saturday."

 

Newcastle will also be keen to prove a point, as they attempt to avenge the 5-1 drubbing they experienced at the hands of Birmingham in the FA Cup third round last season.

 

Milner, who scored Newcastle's consolation goal that day, believes that the memory of that result will spur the players on even more come Saturday afternoon.

 

"We owe them one for last season. It's quite fresh in our memories and it's important that obviously we get them back for that one," he said.

 

"The main thing is getting three points and if we perform like we did against Arsenal, we have got a great chance.

 

"We have to get on top of them, get them rattled and get the crowd behind us. If we can, there are not too many teams that can handle the atmosphere."

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