Dan Burne returned to Amex as Newcastle drew with Brighton

Last season, it took the Magpies until the end of September to reach the four-point mark – this time around, they have picked up four points from their opening two matches and are yet to concede a goal.

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Their form was transformed in the second half of last term as Eddie Howe began his overhaul of the squad he inherited from Steve Bruce, and while there have been further alterations this summer, with more additions planned before the transfer window closes at the start of next month, Burn is delighted to see a large amount of continuity.

“We had some good momentum going, and I think we’ve just carried that on from the end of last season, really,” said the defender, who moved across to left-back in Saturday’s goalless draw at Brighton to replace the injured Matt Targett. “As long as we can keep doing that, then I think we’ll be okay.

“Ever since the gaffer has come in, I think there’s been a big mentality change around the club and within the lads. I think that’s important – if you can’t win, then you don’t get beat.”

Saturday was an emotional occasion for Burn, with the North-Easterner making his first return to the Amex Stadium since leaving Brighton to return to Tyneside in January.

He was afforded a warm reception by the Seagulls crowd, and produced an impressive performance as he helped the Magpies repel a series of dangerous Brighton attacks to keep a second clean sheet of the season.

“It was class,” he said. “It was a really good day, and it was nice to get a good reception. I left so quickly to join Newcastle, I didn’t really get a chance to say bye, so it was nice to come back and say bye to the fans and see all of the lads again.”

Whereas the Magpies had dominated possession and created a host of chances as they beat Nottingham Forest in their opening game of the campaign, they had to show a different side of their character at the weekend as they dug in to claim a point.

“I thought a draw was probably a fair result,” said Burn. “The heat told a bit, especially with the way we want to play with a lot of intensity. I thought we were good in the first half, then in the second half, we had to defend a little bit more.

"I thought that just showed how much we’re improving. We were fighting for each other, and we made a few goalline clearances.”