The Magpies lost 3-1 at the hands of Brentford but Eddie Howe is refusing to be too downhearted
Newcastle United players applaud the fans following the Premier League match at Brentford
Newcastle United players applaud the fans following the Premier League match at Brentford
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Eddie Howe told his players that they were the only people who can influence Newcastle United's current predicament in the Premier League.
Any frustration and dressing room bickering was instantly quashed by Howe who told his stars to "stick together" and find the solutions to improve the club's top-flight position. There is no panic behind the scenes from the backroom team or the Toon squad who are still fighting on four fronts this season.
Howe also refused to use European fatigue as a legitimate reason for the drop in away form. The bigger picture is that Newcastle have won seven out of their last 11 matches in all competitions and can close out November with a foot in the last 16 of the Champions League while also getting back in touch with the top half of the table with just six points separating fifth and 14th spot.
In previously unseen quotes from Sunday Howe was asked about the scene in the dressing room aftewards and said: "The most important thing for us now is unity. We have to be together, we have to acknowledge that we are going to get criticism and rightly so.
"We have to be brave enough and big enough to take that. Then we need to use that to come back.
"We need to work hard during the break to come back and show we are the team we are capable of being."
The likes of Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, and Nick Pope made their feelings known behind the scenes after the 3-1 loss in West London. Howe feels he has big characters in abundance to help turn the tide and said: "Without a doubt. That is not in doubt for me - the character of the group.
"The experience we have in the changing room.
"It is obviously slightly new territory for us. I think we have been consistently successful for the last four years.
"This is the first time we will be examined in this way. When we come out of it, we will be better for the experience."
With Nick Woltemade still adapting to his new surroundings, Jacob Ramsey still finding his feet and Anthony Elanga yet to discover the form we all witnessed at Nottingham Forest, there are teething problems behind the scenes. But nothing more according to Howe who said: "We're a new team. So questions have to be answered.
"We are the only ones who can respond.
"It is multi-factored. I don't think it is one thing, it is not a click of the fingers and everything is changed.
"We are a new team and we have new dynamics in the team.
"For whatever reason it's not working away from home as it is at home. So we have a lot of analysis and reflection in the next two weeks to come back and a stronger team."
Newcastle face another big week after the internationals are done and dusted for the calendar year of 2025. It's Man City then a flying visit to the South of France for the clash with Marseille.
When asked if Europe was the reason why Newcastle have won just three times in the Premier League, Howe said: "Can't use that an excuse. Don't get me wrong, that will be a factor in how the players feel and the mental levels and energy in the group.
"It is no way an excuse. The schedule is relentless, we have injuries and it affects our ability to rotate."
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