Howe made eight changes to his side for the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Spurs and his selection paid off as Newcastle's second string won 2-0 to set up a quarter final clash at home to Fulham.
Fabian Schar, one of the players coming into the side, headed Newcastle ahead in the first half before Joe Willock, making just his second start of the season, crossed for Nick Woltemade to double the lead shortly after the interval. Deputy goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also impressed, making a string of excellent saves.
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Howe knew the fringe figures he selected would be desperate to take their opportunity.
“There was no great message from me to the group in that respect because I think that pressure from me is sometimes unhealthy," he said.
“I think they would have known, though, on a subconscious level, that there was a real necessity for the individuals within the team to perform today because opportunities in this current team with how the players are playing are not going to be there unless they grab these.
“Of course, training is a massive opportunity for them to impress me and I felt confident enough to play the players that played today based on what I'm seeing in training and based on their daily conduct, and they didn't let me down.
“I thought each of those players to a man was very good."
Howe added: "Testament to the squad, testament to the attitude of the players. Everyone played with the right spirit today, the right determination. The will to win was there.
“We didn't have it our own way. It was a really hard-fought win. It was mainly very, very positive, though and I'm really pleased for the squad today."
Newcastle have now made it into the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup for four successive seasons and their dream of retaining the trophy they won last year is still alive.
Howe said: "We enjoy the competition, we take it seriously, we want to do well, but it's down to the players, really and how they take the pitch.
“We made a number of changes and there's always a slight doubt about how that team will knit together, how cohesive it will be. But from minute one, I thought we looked in a really good place.
“Athletically I thought we were excellent today. A lot of those players haven't played regularly, so that's testament to their professionalism, how they look after themselves in between games, and they got their rewards.
“From the minute our last Premier League game ended, it was about this game and now its about West Ham. That's how we're approaching the games.
“We want to be successful, we want to be in every competition. That's worked for us so far.
"There is no priority. We just want to win and want to win consistently. That's such a healthy thing for the group to feel.
"The acid test really was this game tonight because of the changes we made. Was our mentality and mindset going to waiver? The pleasing thing for me tonight was that it didn't."