DeAndre Yedlin: '˜We're the big club in the Championship '“ the one everyone wants to beat'

The Championship leaders lost three games in the space of six days.

Newcastle’s nine-game league and cup winning run was brought to an end by Blackburn Rovers at St James’s Park late last month.

The club then went out of the EFL Cup on penalties after an exhausting 120 minutes at the KCOM Stadium.

And nine-man United were beaten 2-1 by Nottingham Forest at the City Ground eight days ago.

Defender Yedlin says last week underlined the challenges that come with being the team to beat in English football’s second tier.

“It’s given us that ‘us against everybody else’ feeling, which I think every team needs if you’re going to be very successful,” said Yedlin. “We’ve had that mentality all year.

“We’re the big club in the Championship. We’re the one everyone wants to beat, so we’re going to get that sometimes. Sometimes we’re going to get a bit unlucky.

“As long as we stay together, I’m sure we can do well.”

On the club’s three defeats, summer signing Yedlin added: “We’ve had eight wins in a row, so obviously it can feel like the end of the world a bit.

“It’s disappointing. It’s just a rough patch in our season.

“Now we’re looking to come out of it with three points and there’s no better place to do it than in front of our own fans. Hopefully, we can get a good result.

“Everybody’s disappointed, especially after we’d been on such a good run.

“But, because we went on that run, we’re still in a very good place. I don’t think there’s any need to panic or get worried.

“We know the job in hand and what we need to do.”

Newcastle came within a few minutes of taking what would have been a remarkable point at the City Ground.

United were defeated by an 86th-minute own goal from captainn Jamaal Lascelles.

Asked about the mood at the break following the contrversial dismissals of Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett, Yedlin said: “We knew it would be tough.

“But (goalkeeper Karl) Darlow had just made two amazing saves from penalties, so momentum was still going our way. So that gave everyone a boost ahead of what we knew would be 45 minutes of hard work.

“It wasn’t easy, but I think we did it very well even though we gave up two goals and lost a game.

“I’m proud of everyone for how they fought. It wasn’t an easy situation.”