Newcastle send Ryan Fraser packing on loan to second-tier Southampton

 

Newcastle United has sent ostracized winger Ryan Fraser to second-tier Southampton on a season-long loan deal, the club announced on Friday.

Fraser, closer to the wrong side of 30 than his peak years, spent the greater part of last season demoted to the reserve team of Newcastle after he and Eddie Howe clashed.

Fraser and Howe shared the locker room at Bournemouth years ago, and both reunited in Newcastle. Fraser was unexpectedly relegated to the U21 squad last year, sparking speculation about his future with the club.

The forward’s commitment to impress Howe was dubious and raised concerns about his dedication to the game within the Magpies organization. His alleged request to leave the club emerged in January, with interest from lower-tier Premier League clubs for a loan deal, which is now the pathway out of Newcastle the player has found.

 

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Rodgers and his players felt the fury of the section of fans in the corner of Parkhead after failing to find a way through a stubborns Saints defence.

Brendan Rodgers said he “totally understands” the Green Brigade’s angry reaction to Celtic’s goalless draw at home to St Johnstone and hinted the Hoops may be suffering a slight treble hangover.

A week after being dumped out of the Viaplay Cup by Kilmarnock, the champions drew a blank in what was a flat display against the Saints, who picked up their first point of the campaign. During a post-match lap of the pitch to thank the fans, the corner housing the fans group delivered an angry response to Rodgers and his players. The Green Brigade were unhappy with Rodgers’ return to the club and boycotted the friendly against Athletic Bilbao in protest.

But the manager gets where they are coming from after his team failed to produce the goods for a second game in succession. He told BBC Scotland: “I totally understand it. When you play to that performance level and get that result at home, against any team.

“But when you’re playing against a team – with the greatest respect – haven’t won so many games and conceded goals, to not score and not get the three points is clearly not what we want.

It’s certainly not what the supporters expect so I totally understand. When you play for a club like this, you have to have that personality to get the results. If not, then the flak will come your way.

‘We have to take that. But we have to continue working to make it better. It’s still very early in the season but you can clearly see there’s still lots of work to do.”

As for why his team haven’t hit the heights they have previously reached, Rodgers admitted that it can be tough off the back of a clean sweep of trophies. He added: “After you win a Treble, it can happen.

“You come into this season and there’s greater expectation. Opponents will always up their game against you, but it’s my job to find the solutions.”