Roeder urges Magpies focus

By Tom Adams.   Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am

  • Share:

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Glenn Roeder has urged Newcastle not to 'rest on their laurels' after escaping the Premiership relegation zone.

A win over Reading in midweek lifted The Magpies into 15th position, with a seven-game unbeaten run helping to ease fears of a long, hard winter on Tyneside.

Newcastle visit Blackburn on Saturday looking to accelerate their climb up the table, but Roeder has warned his troops they cannot get complacent despite an improvement in their form.

"It is one defeat in 11 matches overall, so of course that makes it more enjoyable," said Roeder.

"But we know one defeat in 11 matches does not tell the complete story and we have got to continue to stay undefeated for another decent period of time.

"We need to carry on picking up points to get away from any concerns any of us might have at Newcastle about the bottom three.

"We made a start on Wednesday. Psychologically, it was good to move up three places - but that must continue.

"There is no resting on our laurels - we cannot afford to do that because of what happened at the start of the season.

"I really believe this middle part of the season fashions a lot for the end of the season."

Wednesday's 3-2 home win over Reading saw Obafemi Martins score his first league goal at St James' Park, with the striker so far taking his time to settle in the Premiership after a £10 million move from Internazionale over the summer.

However Roeder is sure that the Nigerian international has the capability to start plundering goals on a regular basis.

"You can never be absolutely certain in football, but he has certainly got the potential to knock two or three goals in in a game," Roeder added.

"Since he came back from the hamstring injury, he has looked a player who has come to terms with the Premiership.

"Hopefully he is starting to come to terms with living in Newcastle and our culture. Around the training ground and on matchdays, he seems a very happy person.

"It was a relief for all of us when he scored against Reading because he is such a well-liked player."