Thompson's warning to young Magpies

Aug 13 2009 By Stuart Rayner, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United's youngsters have been warned they will have to improve their attitudes if they are to survive, never mind prosper, in the Championship.

The Magpies are the only club in the English leagues not to sign a player so far this summer and with plenty of departures, their stable of youngsters will be asked to fill the growing gaps in their squad in the short-term at least.

But in a stinging rebuke which mirrored Alan Curbishley’s infamous "Baby Bentley" outburst of two years ago, coach Alan Thompson has warned they must change their mindsets or be found wanting.

An unusually candid interview on United’s official website hinted at dissatisfaction with the attitude of some of his charges after Newcastle’s reserves completed their pre- season programme with a 5-1 hammering at Leeds United’s Thorp Arch training ground.

"It’s a wake-up call," he said of Tuesday’s defeat. "They are pushing for a level where they want to be but they will be playing against men this season. If you don’t face up to that you will lose 5-1, like we did against Leeds.

"If they learn from it, then great, but if they don’t and they get back into their BMWs and think they are Newcastle United footballers, then good luck to them.

"They have to learn – one or two of them will, but whether they all will, I don’t know.

"We’re trying to help them and if they don’t want to take our advice, that’s up to them."