NUFC players arrive at the Gtech Community Stadium
Brentford 3-1 Newcastle United: Eddie Howe’s side suffered another poor away defeat in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Harvey Barnes gave Newcastle the lead in the first half before Kevin Schade grabbed an equaliser. Dan Burn then conceded a penalty for a foul on Dango Ouattara and was sent off as a result.
Igor Thiago stepped up and converted from the spot before grabbing a third in stoppage time. The result leaves Newcastle 14th in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone after 11 games and still without an away win.
Eddie Howe admits ‘confidence’ is low at NUFC
After taking the lead and losing 3-1 at West Ham United last weekend, Newcastle did the same on their return to London seven days later.
When asked why lessons weren’t learned from the West Ham defeat, Howe said: “I think it's multifactored. I don't think there's one thing.
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“Confidence will now be an issue for sure because I think they're honest players, really good people. They care. They want to do well.
“But the team's taken a few hits and I think that showed. So, we've got enough experience to respond in the right way.
“We've got enough experience to have been there before and then know how to deal with this moment. We know we're going to get criticised.
“We expect that. I don't see that being a problem for us as long as we stick together and we're really unified in this difficult period.”
The big criticism of Eddie Howe after Newcastle United defeat
Last week, Howe’s substitutions were criticised at West Ham. This week, his lack of changes were scrutinised as it took until Brentford had equalised, a lucky penalty escape with Burn and then a conceded penalty and red card for the defender before making changes.
When asked why he didn’t make the changes sooner to protect Burn and indeed Newcastle, Howe told The Gazette: “Yeah, I mean, of course, we're discussing that as the game's going on. But those moments obviously impact everything because with hindsight, you then go, well, you could have done something before that moment.
“But with Dan's height being pivotal from the set plays and with Joelinton going off, we then suddenly would have become very small. So, they're big calls to make. And yeah, of course, with hindsight, you'd possibly make a different decision.
“Of course, in that moment, I have to weigh up what I'm doing.”
Now Newcastle go into the international break after suffering consecutive league defeats with Manchester City at home to come once they return.
“My initial feeling after that game today was it's different to West Ham,” Howe said. “I think West Ham was a different kind of game today.
“I thought the players were there. I thought they were present. I thought they gave everything to the game physically.
“But I think it was clear. For me, if you watch Newcastle regularly, we were lacking in confidence.”
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