JAMAAL LASCELLES has pledged to continue ‘telling it like it is’ as he attempts to lead Newcastle United’s squad to promotion this season.

Lascelles developed a reputation as a straight-talking leader when he criticised some of Newcastle’s under-performing players in the wake of last season’s 3-1 defeat at Southampton, having previously led the dressing-room inquest into an earlier thumping at Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old’s leadership qualities went down well with Rafael Benitez, and he was appointed as skipper in the close season despite only having made ten Premier League starts last season.

He has helped nurture a strong team spirit amongst Newcastle’s new-look squad, but with last weekend’s failure to beat Aston Villa having left the Magpies four points behind tonight’s opponents, Norwich, the centre-half insists he will continue to deliver some harsh home truths if they are required in the next few weeks.

“I’m very comfortable being captain,” said Lascelles. “I'm outspoken and will say what needs to be said. You can't just have players with talent and flair - you need to make sure players are dedicated and are putting a shift in too.

“It’s a big responsibility. I’m only 22, but I think the other lads look up to me, and I’m a big enough character to deal with everything.

“All the lads are backing me, although I’m not the only one with a voice on the pitch. We’ve got some big characters on the pitch who are helping me.”

Tonight’s game pits the two pre-season favourites for promotion against each other, and while the season is still at a relatively formative stage, it is somewhat concerning that Newcastle have already suffered two home defeats.

If the Magpies are to win promotion this season, they will almost certainly have to win the vast majority of their home games, and Lascelles accepts it is important to lay down a marker tonight.

“It’s a massive game,” he said. “Norwich are always a good team - they got promoted a couple of years back. By the end of the season they will be up there - they are top of the table now - and it’s a game we have to be winning if we want to be up there too.

“After the Wolves defeat, which definitely wasn't acceptable, things need to change. Teams can’t be coming to our place and beating us like happened when we played against Wolves.

“We have to work on how we cope with teams when we’re at home. Last season it was more that we’d sit back and look to counter teams – it’s completely different now. Teams will respect us as a team, as a club and as players, and it’s down to us to change our style of play.”

Last season, Newcastle cruised to a 6-2 home win over Norwich, with Georginio Wijnaldum scoring four goals. A lot has changed in the intervening 11-and-a-half months, not least for Lascelles, who wasn’t even in the squad when Norwich last visited Gallowgate.

“It just shows how much things can alter,” said the defender. “I was watching from the box when we beat Norwich 6-2. I’ve gone from being out of the squad to being captain - hard work can get you there.”