Eddie Howe demands Newcastle United response after Fulham loss led to ‘honest conversations’

NEWCASTLE – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said he had some honest conversations with his team after they suffered a 3-1 loss at Fulham and he is looking for a positive response when they host champions Manchester City on Sept 28.

Sixth-placed Newcastle, who could be without striker Alexander Isak due to a broken toe, suffered their first loss of the campaign at Craven Cottage on Sept 21 and Howe said that led to an honest look at their shortcomings.

Newcastle’s Sept 24 League Cup fixture at Wimbledon was rescheduled due to flooding at the fourth-tier side’s home ground and the postponement gave them some valuable extra time to train.

“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 said on Sept 27.

“We reviewed and we didn’t like ourselves. Some honest conversations this week and hopefully, a response... that internal reflection can be really healthy.”

He wants his side to show courage on the ball when going forward.

“We have to carry a threat. We have to be an attacking force, brave with the ball as well,” he said.

The manager said it was possible for Isak, who suffered a broken toe earlier in September, to play with the injury, but the Sweden international was a doubt for City.

“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,” he added.

Aside from Isak, the Magpies are also missing defenders Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, midfielder Lewis Miley and forward Callum Wilson through injury. Fullback Matt Targett is a doubt.

Howe said that Newcastle, who have 10 points from five matches, three behind leaders City, will do their best to make things difficult for the champions.

“Everyone will be highly motivated for the match, the crowd will be really there for us if we can inspire them,” he added. 

The game will be City’s first league game since midfielder Rodri suffered knee ligament damage during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sept 22.

The Spaniard has become indispensable to Pep Guardiola’s team and is widely considered the best player in his position in the world.

The 28-year-old, one of the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, is out for this campaign in a major blow to City’s hopes of winning the Premier League title for a record-extending fifth successive season.

City have not lost any of the last 48 league games in which Rodri has featured, with their three top-flight defeats in the 2023-24 season all coming in his absence.

“Surgery this morning, ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and next season he will be here. This season is over,” Guardiola said on Sept 27.

“Unfortunately we got the worst, but these things happen. We will be there to support him in his recovery step by step.

“If we don’t win, then it is because of Rodri. We are stronger with him and stronger with (Nathan) Ake and (Oscar) Bobb and Kevin (de Bruyne) but that is what it is. We don’t want it, but it is football.”

De Bruyne is an injury doubt for the Newcastle game, while long-term absentees Bobb and Ake remain unavailable.

Despite an underwhelming start to his City career since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2023, Matheus Nunes believes he can help fill the void left by a long-term injury to fellow midfielder Rodri.

The 26-year-old Portuguese, who has been a bit-part player at City so far, said: “At Wolves I played more as a winger and last year here I played more as a (No.) 10 but when I played for Sporting (Lisbon), I always played in the double pivot, so I’m used to every position now.

“I try to help the team every time the coach puts me on the field, but I know the other guys are all ready as well because we have so much quality in the team.” REUTERS, AFP