Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe says he is determined to see a positive reaction from his team when they host Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday. Following a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Fulham last weekend, Howe held honest discussions with his squad, addressing the shortcomings that contributed to their first loss of the campaign.
Newcastle currently sit sixth in the Premier League table with 10 points from five matches, three points behind leaders Manchester City. Despite their strong start to the season, the defeat at Craven Cottage prompted a period of reflection within the squad. Howe emphasized the importance of using the setback as an opportunity for growth.
“We’ve had two really good days where we’ve gone to work with the team to try and solve some of the issues from the Fulham game,” Howe told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “We reviewed and we didn’t like ourselves. Some honest conversations this week and hopefully a response… that internal reflection can be really healthy.”
In addition to the discussions, Newcastle benefited from extra training time this week due to the postponement of their midweek League Cup fixture against AFC Wimbledon. The match was rescheduled after flooding affected Wimbledon’s home ground, giving Howe and his coaching staff valuable time to work on key areas of improvement. One of the challenges facing Newcastle ahead of their clash with Manchester City is the fitness of striker Alexander Isak. The Sweden international, who suffered a broken toe earlier this month, remains a doubt for the match. While Howe acknowledged that it is possible for Isak to play through the injury, he emphasized that the player’s pain tolerance and long-term health would be the primary considerations.
“It’s one that can be managed and played with (provided) he can tolerate the pain levels, and that will have no long-term risks… let’s see how he is today,” Howe said.
Eddie Howe speaks to the media ahead of #NEWMCI 🗣️
You can watch the press conference as live on the Official Newcastle United App. 📲 pic.twitter.com/rrnkp4fg0I
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 27, 2024
Should Isak be unavailable, Newcastle will need to rely on their other attacking options to challenge a City side that has been in formidable form. Howe stressed the importance of being courageous on the ball and posing an attacking threat against the reigning champions.
“We have to carry a threat. We have to be an attacking force, brave with the ball as well,” Howe added.
Despite the daunting task of facing Manchester City, who have established themselves as the team to beat in the Premier League, Howe remains optimistic about his side’s chances. He believes that Newcastle can rise to the occasion and make life difficult for Pep Guardiola’s team, especially with the passionate home crowd behind them at St James’ Park.
“Everyone will be highly motivated for the match, the crowd will be really there for us if we can inspire them,” Howe said. “We’ll do our best to make things difficult for the champions.”
Newcastle’s defensive discipline and ability to absorb pressure will be tested against Manchester City’s dynamic attacking lineup. However, Howe’s focus remains on his own team’s ability to bounce back from the Fulham loss, and he is hopeful that the honesty and hard work displayed during training this week will lead to a stronger performance. Manchester City, who have amassed 13 points from their first five matches, are unbeaten in the Premier League this season and will pose a significant challenge for Newcastle. The defending champions boast one of the strongest squads in European football, with players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden leading the charge.
