BALANCE ACT: ANALYZING EDDIE HOWE'S CHALLENGE TO WIN AFTER MIDWEEK CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Eddie Howe is challenging his Newcastle squad to find the perfect "arousal level" for the Wear-Tyne Derby, balancing intense passion with the focus needed to beat a physical Sunderland side.
Here’s what Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had to say before his team heads to Sunderland this Sunday:
Howe knows this weekend's Wear-Tyne Derby against Sunderland is a big deal, saying his players need to find the right mindset for the game.
The Magpies are heading to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon for the first Premier League match between these two Northeast teams since 2016. Howe knows the game will be intense, but he wants his team to focus on playing well, not just getting caught up in the hype.
After their 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, Howe mentioned that getting too worked up can backfire, leading to overthinking and poor performance. He stressed the need for a cool head and passion, saying that lacking fire would also lead to a poor performance.
What else did Eddie Howe say about the Sunderland game?
Someone asked Howe if Newcastle would aim for a draw, considering Sunderland's good home record. He shut that down, saying they prepared to win every game. He noted the short time to get ready, but believes they're managing OK and will be ready.
About Sunderland's strength and toughness, Howe said they're key in the game. He pointed out Sunderland's physical play and threat from set plays, saying Newcastle needs to match that while sticking to their own game plan. He said they try to play their way no matter where they are, whether it’s a Champions League game or at home, tweaking things as needed after assessing the game.
Looking back at Newcastle’s last visit to the Stadium of Light, where they won 3-0 in the FA Cup last January, Howe said they enjoyed the win because they played well. Now, they have to recover from their trip [from Germany] so they can perform their best.
Howe admitted he knew about the Wear-Tyne Derby's intensity before, but experiencing it is different. He's seen derbies on TV and felt the rivalry, but being there makes you realise it's more than you thought. He’s looking forward to experiencing it again.
When asked if their Champions League game would hurt their chances on Sunday, Howe said he would always prefer a week to prepare for a game to train and focus. Since that's not an option, they're used to preparing quickly and hope they're getting better at it. This game will be a good test.
Talking about Newcastle’s late goals conceded and Sunderland’s late wins, Howe said people might be reading too much into it. He admitted they know what they need to fix.
Howe doesn't think they can change who they are. He thinks they’re exciting to watch and play a style that people enjoy. He knows this sometimes leads to defensive issues, which they're trying to fix.
About the game's importance and playing Sunderland in the league after last year’s cup game, Howe sees it as a good thing. He wants to be part of big games and take on tough challenges. He hopes this game will be memorable for the right reasons, with someone creating a special moment for the fans and making them proud.
NEWCASTLE SUBMIT £21M OPENING OFFER FOR PALMEIRAS SENSATION EDUARDO CONCEICAO
Newcastle United launch a bid for Palmeiras star Eduardo Conceicao as Eddie Howe’s future hits a "seven-game test."
Newcastle United have put in an offer for a “superb” young forward, and they’re not the only ones circling. Premier League teams are watching, including leaders Arsenal.
Last season, Eddie Howe brought Newcastle their first trophy in 70 years. But things haven’t exactly gone according to plan since then. The team’s sitting 12th in the league, out of all the cup competitions, and Howe’s future suddenly looks shaky.
Now, after a pretty intense meeting with chief executive David Hopkinson, obvious questions are hanging in the air. Hopkinson didn’t say much to clear things up, either. “I don’t have a stance on his [Howe’s] future,” he said. “The derby loss hurt. We take it seriously. There’s nothing in us that thinks: ‘Well, it’s just three points and on we go.’ It has resonated. I spent a couple of hours in a one-on-one lunch with Eddie, and we talked through a multitude of things, including Sunderland.” So, yeah, definitely not the most reassuring words.
Still, despite all the uncertainty around the manager, Newcastle are working on summer transfers as usual. Behind the scenes, they’ve made a move for a talented new forward.
According to a report from RTI Esporte (via Sport Witness), Newcastle have now made a bid for Palmeiras forward Eduardo Conceicao. Arsenal are interested too, but Newcastle apparently want to move first.
Palmeiras want at least £34 million for the 16-year-old, which is huge considering his age, though his contract does have a massive €100 million (£86 million) release clause. Clearly, people rate him highly. Scout Jacek Kulig talked him up recently on social media, pointing out the strengths that make him stand out.
So far, Conceicao has impressed with Palmeiras U20s five goals and three assists in just 13 appearances. Doing that at 16 is no joke. But let’s be real, he hasn’t played for the senior team yet, so it might take some time before he’s ready to shine in the Premier League, whether that’s at Newcastle or somewhere else.
SIMON JORDAN QUESTIONS IF CEO DAVID HOPKINSON ACTUALLY CONTROLS EDDIE HOWE'S FATE
Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson refuses to guarantee Eddie Howe’s future following a devastating Tyne-Wear derby loss.
Earlier this week, Newcastle United’s CEO, David Hopkinson, spoke about Eddie Howe’s future at St. James'. James' Park. Howe took over after Steve Bruce left in November 2021 and quickly turned things around. Thanks in part to a solid January transfer window, he helped Newcastle avoid relegation. By his first full season, the team surprised many by finishing in the Premier League’s top four, securing Champions League football, and reaching their first major cup final since 1999, although they fell 2-0 to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final.
Howe also brought some silverware to Newcastle, ending a 70-year wait for major domestic trophies with a Carabao Cup win over Liverpool last season. Given these achievements and another Champions League qualification, his job seemed safe. But in a recent press briefing, Hopkinson was noticeably less forthcoming about Howe’s long-term role at the club.
This contrasts with Hopkinson’s earlier statements, especially on talkSPORT in February, where he expressed strong backing for Howe, praising his work and noting how admired he is across the league and even the national team setup. Back then, Hopkinson said, “Eddie’s our manager and an extraordinary one. Many clubs envy what he’s doing, and he has our full support.”
However, after Newcastle suffered a defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, dropping into the bottom half of the table and facing a tough path to secure European football again, Hopkinson’s tone shifted. He told The Gazette, “I don’t have a stance on his future right now." The derby loss really hurt us. We take that seriously. I had a detailed conversation with Eddie recently about many things, including that defeat. Eddie is our manager, and I expect a strong finish to the season. We’ll discuss the future when the time comes. Our focus remains on this season’s competition.”
These remarks sparked some unease among fans, fueling speculation that Howe might be nearing the end of his time at Newcastle. Yet, talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan criticised Hopkinson’s cautious approach. He suggested the CEO could be stuck in a tricky spot, pressured to clarify his position given his previous praise and the club’s ambitions.
Jordan questioned who actually holds the power to hire or fire managers, whether that falls solely to Hopkinson or if ownership plays the deciding role. He pondered how much football expertise the CEO really brings and wondered if Hopkinson’s silence could be a sign of uncertainty rather than strength. Jordan noted, “Not having a stance on your manager isn’t the right way to put it. Perhaps it’s more about not wanting to discuss his future publicly yet, but that just leads to more speculation.” He argued that whatever Hopkinson says now will draw criticism, either highlighting the team’s struggles if Howe is backed fully or fueling rumours if there’s hesitation.
In the end, Jordan advised that the focus should be on explaining the club’s broader vision rather than getting caught up in these short-term debates. He pointed out that while Howe is capable, Newcastle’s challenges aren’t just about the manager but about bigger structural issues the club faces as it aims to compete at the highest level.
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