We heard the same from Demba Ba, then (after 18 months at the club) he's on his bike and raving about what he is going to win at Stamford Bridge. Not much HURT there!
What does it REALLY mean to the players? Unless they are Geordies, what do they know ... what do they care?
Although Alan Pardew says it is the injuries that have got us in the gutter, it's interesting to note (for decades at this club) how many mysterious injuries appear when the results start going against us.
EVERYBODY wants to play when we're up the top ... and it suddenly takes a nose-dive when the fans start to grumble.
Rob Elliot: “Everybody’s down – we’re gutted.
“Everybody wants a cup run. We knew it would be tough. I think we needed to have that extra bit of experience.
“I didn’t realise how important it was until I was older.
“The effort and commitment was still there. Hopefully, this is it for us now.
“We’re down to the bare bones, and we have players coming back and a new signing (Mathieu Debuchy). Everything is positive going forward.
“I know it was a disappointing day, and it will hurt for the rest of the week.
“But going to Norwich, we’ll almost have a new team.
“We don’t take them for granted.
“The players really appreciate the fans.
“It’s always mentioned in the dressing room before the games.
“It’s hard, but we want the support to keep coming. When we have a full squad again, we can compete with anyone.
“Hopefully, St James’s can be rocking again soon.
“The fans were brilliant. I’ve never known a crowd when you have lost 2-0 away from home to turn round and give you appreciation like that.
“Credit to them – they’re showing some great patience.
“They understand the situation. They demand the effort, and it’s there. We’ll have quality coming through from the likes of Debuchy, (Papiss Demba) Cisse and Colo (Fabricio Coloccini).”
"I threw my gloves into the away end after the game.
“It was just a gesture to them.
“I’ve always done it since I was at Charlton.
“For any fans travelling all of that way, it’s the least you can do, especially for a game that kicks off at 12.30pm with fans coming down from Newcastle.
“They could see the energy and the effort of the young players, and didn’t turn on them.
“The patience they have shown has been magnificent.
“We have to give credit to Brighton – I thought they were excellent.
“With the injuries we’ve got, we were down to young players. The inexperience told really.”