Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Eddie Howe questioned if his Newcastle United players’ willingness to win was ‘strong enough’ after losing 4-2 to Brentford.
The Magpies twice came from behind in the first half with goals from Alexander Isak and Harvey Barnes cancelling out Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa’s goals. But United struggled to get going after half-time as goals from Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade inflicted a loss.
When asked about the attitude of his players, Howe replied: “Oh dear, I don't know. The attitude from the players was that there was a willingness to win and a willingness to fight but I don't think it was strong enough. I’ve got to be careful because goals always change emotions for people on the outside but also for the players who are playing.
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United FC at Brentford Community Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“If you’re making those individual mistakes, you could go through each goal and look at a catalogue of errors really. That erodes confidence, it erodes the feeling but the fightback was really good to get it to 2-2 but we were never able to get our noses in front and the third goal we didn’t respond well to the third goal.”
Howe’s side were free-flowing in the opening 45 minutes and created a number of chances but that couldn’t be maintained.
Asked why, Howe told NewcastleWorld: ““I'm not making excuses but I don't know whether the weather [had an impact] played a part because there was obviously a very strong wind today, I don't know if that's a coincidence.
“But we didn't attack as well in the second half as we did in the first half. We had spells in the game in the second period where we surrounded their box so it wasn't all bad but it wasn't as strong or incisive as it was in the first half.”
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“I think today was a difficult game to come on to because of the conditions and trying to pick up the speed of the game, naturally you're going to be cold,” said Howe.
“I thought Anthony looked good when he came on, I've got no issue with his performance. Midfield was an area where we weren't as strong in the second half. We had some tired bodies and couldn't change everybody.
“The Liverpool game took a lot out of us and I would have liked to rotate a little more but due loads of different reasons, I didn't feel like I was able to do that because of the fitness of some of the play.”
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