CHEIK Tiote has told his Newcastle United team-mates to forget about their DW Stadium defeat – and concentrate their energies on getting a result against Chelsea.
The club’s six-game winning streak was brought to an abrupt end by Wigan Athletic, who won 4-0 won Saturday.
Alan Pardew’s side have no time to reflect on the result and performance, with in-form Chelsea their next opponents on Wednesday night.
Match report: Wigan Athletic 4 Newcastle United 0
And Tiote has urged his colleagues to look forward, with Champions League football not yet out of reach for Newcastle, who ended the weekend fifth in the Premier League.
“We’re disappointed by the result and the game,” said the midfielder.
“We must keep our heads up, and it’s all about Wednesday now. What happened at Wigan is over. We lost the game, and we have to look forward.
“We can’t win every game. We’ve lost a game and by a big score, but that’s football sometimes.
“We just have to stay focused.”
United were blown away by Wigan in the first half, with two goals from Victor Moses and strikes from Shaun Maloney and Franco Di Santo all but winning the game before the break.
Newcastle improved in the second half, but they couldn’t find a way back into the match.
“The second half was much better,” added Tiote.
“In the first half, it was like we didn’t know how to defend.
“It was like they were playing five in midfield because of their formation.
“We know we can play better, and we did in the second half.”
n NEWCASTLE United’s reserves take on Team Northumbria at St James’s Park tonight in the final of the Northumberland Senior Cup.
United are looking to win the trophy for the fourth time in five seasons.
Newcastle beat Blyth Spartans in last season’s showpiece.
Admission is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions (7pm kick-off).
United are away to Blackburn Rovers on Thursday (2pm).
Twitter: @milesstarforth
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