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Vurnon Anita has admitted he has had to get used to losing since joining “mid-table” Newcastle United from Dutch powerhouse Ajax.

But Anita says he is determined to see out his career on Tyneside, despite accepting he may never have a regular place in the side like his days with the former European champions and Champions League regulars.

The Dutch midfielder says he has not been affected too much by fan protests but does not need to be reminded he is part of the team that have lost eight games in a row for the first time in the club’s history.

Anita, speaking in a rare interview with the Dutch media, said: “For weeks, we have known that we need a positive result to get back smiling faces. The manager was really angry in Leicester, as we lacked fighting spirit and were beaten at set-pieces once again.

“The defeat at Sunderland was a huge blow. When we trained lightly the next morning, John Carver did not leave his office as he was too down-hearted and fewer people attended our matches.

“I think I heard on TV about a boycott, but I don’t know much about that. The training sessions take place behind closed doors here and you won’t often see me in the city centre.”

Anita confessed he is not enjoying the miserable run of results.

He added: “It is not pleasant at all. I want to enjoy my game and win matches and not just feel powerless when I am forced to chase the ball.”

And unlike his days with Ajax, where Frank De Boer’s side were a real force in Holland and Anita was one of the star men, the midfielder says he has had to adapt to being part of a team that lose on a regular basis.

He said: “Newcastle are a mid-table team. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, unlike at Ajax. I must admit I had to get used to that.

“You know you have to fight the full 90 minutes here whether you play the leaders or the club that is rooted to the bottom. Any team can beat the other team. There is no need to look at the schedule.

“You just know you have to give everything.”

Anita, speaking in an interview with Dutch Voetball, was used to playing more attractive football with the Dutch giants but says that the pressure to win games in the Premier League means that he has had to adapt to the long ball game.

He said:”The pressure to keep up in the Premier League pays its toll. A lot of money is at stake and when things go wrong, most managers like to play safe. (They) play long balls and win the second ball as long as you are not robbed off the ball in your own half.

“In Holland, we prefer to play the passing game, which you can only master once you are allowed to make mistakes. They don’t want you to make mistakes in England.”

Anita feels that United got their tactics wrong in the recent 1-0 loss to Sunderland.

He said: “I did reasonably well against Arsenal but did not play against Sunderland as the manager thought they would play long balls. That’s why he dropped me in favour of somebody else.

“I thought it was a bit naïve, as Dick Advocaat adheres to the Dutch style and wants his side to play the passing game. The next day, I saw Dick Advocaat instruct his assistant Zeljko Petrovic. John O'Shea was to play a long ball to the striker up front, but Petrovic told him to deliver a cross. I immediately recognised the situation.”