---
title: "Ki insists Newcastle are together despite claims of friction"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2018/08/30/ki-insists-newcastle-are-together-despite-claims-of-friction/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2018-08-30T22:17:12Z"
modified: "2018-08-30T22:17:12Z"
---

# Ki insists Newcastle are together despite claims of friction

Newcastle midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has insisted that the squad are together ahead of their clash against Manchester City, despite early season struggles.

It has been a tough start to the season for the Magpies, with the club having earned just one point from their opening three Premier League fixtures – a 0-0 draw with newly promoted Cardiff.

Both Tottenham and Chelsea have walked away from St James’ Park with a 2-1 win, while Nottingham Forest beat out Newcastle 3-1 at the City Ground in the Carabao Cup earlier this week.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2018/08/1024401548.jpg)

The atmosphere on Tyneside has certainly been better, with the fallout from Mike Ashley not having provided Rafa Benitez with adequate funds this summer still raging among the club’s fans.

There has also been talk of numerous behind the scenes battles, with reports suggesting there has been a bust up on the training ground between Benitez and club captain Jamaal Lascelles, while rumour also suggests Lascelles has fallen out with winger Matt Ritchie.

But South Korea international Ki has moved to smooth over those rumours, insisting the Newcastle squad are fighting and battling together. As reported by the [Daily Star](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/726656/Newcastle-news-Ki-Sung-There-is-no-yueng-insists-squad-are-together-ahead-of-Man-City-test), Ki said:

> There is no problem with anybody in the squad and the atmosphere is good.

> Maybe because we have lost some games, outside of the camp people are trying to say something blah, blah.

> It’s a difficult time but we don’t need to have our heads down. It can happen.

> Last season this team was together with their discipline and they were working so hard to stay in the Premier League.

> That’s why we finished 10th. Everyone was so desperate to stay up.

> We had the same problems at Forest as we did on Sunday. As against Chelsea, we lost the game in the final moments.

> We’re very disappointed but Forest is gone now and we have to focus on Manchester City.

Newcastle play the defending Premier League champions on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium.