Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Eddie Howe believes his players need no motivation as they prepare to take on Liverpool at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
The Reds arrive on Tyneside holding a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the summer, new boss Arne Slot has only once tasted defeat, winning 18 of his opening 20 games.
Their faultless form comes at a time when most other Premier League teams are struggling for consistent. And that includes Newcastle United, who beat Arsenal and Nottingham Forest before the international break but have since lost to West Ham United and drawn with Crystal Palace.
United were left devastated by Palace’s late equaliser at the weekend but Howe insists his players don’t need a ‘pick me up’ ahead of kick-off.
“If we have to motivate the players for this game, there’s something wrong,” said Howe. “We won’t have to. The players know the dangers that Liverpool possess, and in some ways, that heightens your senses.
“There’s also an excitement about the game and an opportunity for us to grow. Attacking a game like this will be a brilliant thing, and I think we can go into the game with confidence. Although you can look at results in loads of different ways, generally I think our performances have been improving as the season has gone on. We always try to play at home with no fear.”
Newcastle have lost just three times at St James’ Park this season, although two of those have come this season against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham. But they’ve beaten Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, and held Manchester City to a draw, which believes is enough to give his players confidence.
He said: “I think we’re always confident at home. Regardless of the opponent, we have to be our best selves and we have to learn lessons from previous games and continue to evolve and improve. Very recently, we beat Chelsea in the cup and beat Arsenal at home, so there’s no reason why we can’t continue that positive run.
“We have to view the game for what it is – we have to nullify their threats and be strong defensively, but we also have to play to our strengths, and our strengths are unique to us. When we’re playing well, I think we’re a great side in attack, and we want to see that attacking football flowing again.”
Howe is well aware of the challenge Liverpool pose. He has been very impressed by Slot’s impact, although stopped short of saying the title was theirs already.
“They were very good, very strong,” Howe said after watching their 2-0 win over Man City. “What a week they’ve had when you look at Real Madrid and Manchester City. Two very good performances.
Read More
“They’re a team at the moment playing with full confidence. They’ve still got the hallmark of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, but Arne Slot has had his time with the team and he’s tweaked certain things, and that makes them a very difficult proposition because they’ve added new strengths.
“The players are playing well, their front players are notoriously very strong, so it’s going to need a strong defensive performance from us, and we’re certainly going to have to pose them questions the other way as well.
“Nothing’s ever secure or done until it’s done. The Premier League is known for twists and turns, so who knows what’s going to happen. All we can do is control our part, and our season is yet to be set in terms of what’s going to happen.
“We’ve been inconsistent and had highs and lows, and for us, it’s just about making sure we have more highs than lows on a consistent basis, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Continue Reading