‘No excuses’ Kieran Trippier reflects on his mistake-ridden December and admits he has no clue why he couldn’t put a foot right

As one of Newcastle United’s most talented and experienced players, when Kieran Trippier’s form inexplicably nose-dived over a series of games in December it left supporters and pundits baffled. 

But no-one was more confused than the player himself. Trippier told reporters at the North East Football Writers’ Association Awards, one of whom admitted to marking one of his December performances three out of ten: “I ain’t got any excuses for you.”

Trippier’s problems coincide with the team’s poor form. Having beaten Arsenal 1-0 at St. James’ Park, they traveled to Everton and were fifth in the Premier League. Chasing a win at 0-0 with 11 minutes remaining, the Newcastle and England right-back was caught in possession by Dwight McNeil on the halfway line with the winger striding forward to make it 1-0. Seven minutes later, Trippier made a carbon copy error that led to a second, and decisive, goal by Abdulaye Doucoure.

“That was madness,” admitted Trippier, recalling the night at Goodison Park. “I think the first one when Dwight Neil took the ball, I thought I had more time than I actually did. I thought I was having an OK game until that point – that’s how quickly football changes.”