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.
EDDIE HOWE CONFIRMS NEWCASTLE LINEUP SHIFTS ARE PART OF A MAJOR FUTURE STRATEGY
Eddie Howe confirms he is picking Newcastle lineups with next season in mind, trialling players like Ramsey and Woltemade early.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe isn’t pretending he’s already thinking about next season. People have been saying Kieran Trippier is close to triggering a payment if he plays more games, so that might influence whether he features again before the season ends. But Howe brushed that off and said he’s making his decisions purely for football reasons.
Talking to reporters at the City Ground about why Anthony Gordon was missing, Howe admitted he’s picking his lineup with the future in mind. Later, in his press conference, he went into more detail about focusing on what comes next at St James’ Park.
"We’re definitely looking ahead," Howe said. "You can see it in some of the choices I’m making with the team. I want to get a look at some players and see how they might grow into the squad."
One of those players is Jacob Ramsey, who came off the bench, set up Harvey Barnes with a great pass, and really changed the game. "I thought Jacob Ramsey was brilliant when he came on against Forest. He really made a difference, and so did Harvey. It’s good to see players taking their chances," Howe said.
He added, "We have to be thinking about the future now and what the team’s going to look like next year. That’s our responsibility at this point."
Before the match, Howe surprised a lot of fans by starting Lewis Hall at right-back, Nick Woltemade in midfield, and pushing Joelinton further forward than usual. Again, Howe explained he wants to see what players can do in different positions.
"It wasn’t some huge change from Brighton; we kept the same shape," Howe said. "But for Nick, this was only one of a few times he’s started in that role for us. He played alongside Will, and they haven’t had much time together either.
"There were positives for Nick, but he wasn’t involved as much as we wanted in the first half. We still need to see his best on the ball. In the second half, though, I thought we got better as a team. We attacked more and looked like a real threat as the match wore on."
MAGPIES EYE £1M BARGAIN TIAGO GABRIEL TO SOLVE GROWING DEFENSIVE INJURY CRISIS
Newcastle are leading the race against Juventus for Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Serie A defensive sensation.
Newcastle United appear to be keeping an eye on Lecce’s young defender Tiago Gabriel as they consider potential options for the summer transfer window.
With Fabian Schar’s contract due to expire at the end of June, the Magpies are preparing for the possibility of his departure. Although an extension is still on the table, Schar has been sidelined since early January because of an ankle injury and doesn't seem close to making a comeback.
At 21, Gabriel has featured 36 times across all competitions this season for Lecce, who are currently four points clear of the Serie A relegation zone. Newcastle’s recruitment team is among those following his development, seemingly interested in exploring a move once the transfer window opens.
Back in December, reports surfaced that both West Ham and Juventus were also tracking Gabriel’s progress. The young defender, who came through Sporting CP’s academy, has had a strong season and will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
Gabriel transferred to Lecce last January for slightly over £1 million, moving from Portuguese club Estrela Amadora. Should he leave this summer, a significantly higher fee might be expected, reflecting his rise in form.
Before joining Estrela Amadora, Gabriel had been part of Setúbal's academy after leaving Sporting in 2020. His performances have earned him regular appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 side, and senior international opportunities may not be far off.
A switch to the Premier League could potentially boost his profile substantially, but he will likely weigh his options with some care.
According to O Jogo, Newcastle continue to monitor his situation keenly as interest around the defender grows.
Regarding Fabian Schar’s future, things remain uncertain even with just weeks left on his current deal. While Kieran Trippier has been publicly confirmed to be leaving upon contract expiration, no similar announcement has come for Schar.
Last week, Howe commented on the defender’s status, noting that no definitive decision has been made yet. He emphasised Schar’s value to the team, pointing out his unique role as a ball-playing defender and his versatility in various defensive setups.
Schar’s influence on the pitch and experience are clearly appreciated, and the club hopes he can regain full fitness before the season concludes. As for any new contract talks, Howe suggested it’s a matter of waiting to see how things unfold.
