It’s been a brutal few days for Newcastle United, but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves and must come out fighting ahead of what promises to be the biggest week of our season so far.
West Ham away on Monday feels massive for momentum, confidence in the camp and our push towards those European places, with a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League still within sight as the top five look set to qualify.
Wembley and Liverpool await next Sunday, and we know we’ll be without Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon for both games, handing Howe and the players a big challenge they must overcome if we want to bounce back from a week of setbacks.
Speaking to the media this morning, Eddie Howe made no secret of that fact it’s been a challenging week – but offered a message of positivity, perspective and hope as we head into two massive games.
Rather than allow himself to become flustered, frustrated and fearing the worst after two injury blows, an FA Cup exit and three game ban, Howe is backing his staff and players to step up and seize the opportunity.
“It’s not been the best of weeks, it’s been one of those weeks that challenges you in the job that I’m in,” Howe admitted during his 9am press conference this morning.
“But I think you always need a level head, you need clear thinking and you need to put it always into perspective, we still have a really strong squad, we still have a really strong team.
“We’re gonna miss the players that we’re gonna lose and that’s a big disappointment – but it’s always someone else’s opportunity and we have to look at it that way. Those players I know will be supporting us and and hopefully we can do really well.”
Some on social media see next Sunday’s cup final as a write off following our injury and suspension woes. I’ve even seen suggestions that we now have ‘no chance’ of European football.
However, Howe has been quick to remind supporters that those ready to step in for Hall and Gordon believe they can make the difference, whether that be Harvey Barnes, Joelinton, Joe Willock or Tino Livramento.
“We still have everything to play for, all those players coming into the team will feel like they can make the difference. You have to be ready to perform, to play.
“We have been working hard with the players behind the scenes so that everyone can play their part successfully in this period.”
With Howe we have a calm head an workaholic who will be doing his all to get us in the best position possible to tackle next week’s trips to London.
Let’s hope he gets it right and the players respond, as we still have so much left to play for between now and late May.