Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle has lavished praise on the club's fans after victory over Brentford, saying the level of support he has received since joining in the summer has been immense.
Former Crystal Palace forwardGayle, who has made a flying start to his career on Tyneside by scoring nine goals (including a brace on Saturday against Brentford), claims the support of the fans extends beyond St James' Park to the streets, where he finds himself constantly cheered.
The fans here are fantastic," Gayle toldThe Chronicleafter the club moved to within a point of Norwich City at the top of the Championship table. "Even when you are walking down the street everybody is fully behind you!
Everybody in the city is pulling in the right direction and that's exactly what we need.
⚽� League goals in 2016-17:
Dwight Gayle - 9
Entire Sunderland squad - 6
⚫�⚪� #NUFC ⚪�⚫� pic.twitter.com/J90nAQb9LI
Hopefully, we can continue to push on and give them what they want - which is promotion back to the Premier League.�
Gayle says Rafael Benitez prepared his players rigorously ahead of the Brentford clash - a method that obviouslyproved effective as the Magpies brushed aside a good side in Brentford, who themselves have impressed thus far this campaign.
We worked hard but it's important to look at what they brought to the table.We watched several clips before the game and we know they are a good footballing side.
They have been fantastic this season and I am sure they will continue to do that. So it was a big win for us.
Benitez says Gayle is so much more than just a poacher: https://t.co/ekjjIMErWE
We just need to keep up picking up the wins. Every game will be tough this season.There will be a game or two where you win comfortably but the teams are there to pick on you and everybody will be trying to beat Newcastle.�
I am buzzing at the moment and everybody is excited and looking to the future.But we can't get too carried away.
We need to just need to keep picking up the three points when we can and continue trying to improve as a team.
I am really enjoying playing with the players we have got.The quality here is fantastic. I am just trying to help get the goals and help us out really.�