Newcastle United grabbed another Champions League win on Wednesday night, beating Athletic Club at St James’ Park.
Another night at St James’ Park, another victory.
Home comforts have been a key factor for Newcastle United this season, boasting a strong record at home alongside torrid away form.
Sunday’s defeat at West Ham United showcased a truly dismal side of this Newcastle team, but they responded on Wednesday night.
The Magpies beat Athletic Club 2-0 at St James’ Park, as Dan Burn and Joelinton both found the net.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe during a press conference
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Eddie Howe shoots down Newcastle United ‘cup team’ tag
Newcastle have now claimed three wins from four Champions League games this season.
The only defeat came against Barcelona, and even that was only a 2-1 defeat.
The Magpies are going well in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, but can’t find consistency in the Premier League.
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After the final whistle, Howe was asked whether Newcastle are becoming something of a ‘cup team’.
Howe completely refuted that notion, claiming that Newcastle simply cannot be associated with that identity.
Howe thinks becoming a ‘cup team’ would be unhealthy for Newcastle, and doesn’t want his players to pick and choose when to turn up.
The Toon boss wants to deliver on all fronts, rather than only in certain competitions, fearing that a ‘negative side’ could come out of his players.
“No, we don’t want to become associated with that tag because I don’t think it’s a healthy one for us,” said Howe, as captured by Beanyman Sports.
“We want to be a team that delivers consistently and is strong in every respect mentally, because I think if you’re just able to lift yourselves for certain moments, you never know when that side of your game is going to show, the negative side, and we can’t become associated with that,” he added.
It’s now time for Newcastle United to prove Eddie Howe right
Look at the results, and you can understand the question being asked of Howe.
Newcastle have won three from four in the Champions League and dumped Tottenham Hotspur out of the Carabao Cup last week.
The Premier League table tells its own story, though, and Newcastle sit 13th with just three wins from 10 games.
Newcastle have lost four times in those 10 games, including the poor away defeats at Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham.
Howe’s players have had no problem getting up for the big games in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, but the bread and butter of the Premier League has proven tricky.
Howe clearly doesn’t want to be a ‘cup team’, but his players must follow.
Consistency in the Premier League – starting with this weekend’s trip to Brentford – is an absolute must, and solely chasing the high of last season’s Carabao Cup success simply will not cut it.