The Magpies earned 66 points last season and will have to win the majority of their fixtures to get close to it this term
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
View Image
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is refusing to accept that Newcastle United's route to the Champions League via a top five Premier League finish is over.
The Magpies are nine points adrift of the Champions League spots in the top-flight and take on Everton at St James' Park with Howe urging his side to rediscover the rhythm that got them to Europe's top table last term. With a clash against Barcelona now lying in wait next month, Newcastle's other possible route to the Champions League in 2026/27 is now becoming clear.
But with Howe's team starting the weekend in the bottom half, there is no longer margin for error. Newcastle would have to win 10 of their last 11 matches to equal last season's points tally of 66 and need title winning form to force their way back into the top five battle.
Howe said ahead of Everton: "We have got to build our rhythm back at St James' Park. Hopefully, now we can build some rhythm and get a good feeling back at our home ground - it is really important for us.
"Everton have done well on their travels this year. They're a tough team to beat.
"Defensively, they have been very strong. Historically, from David's [Moyes] teams, they're difficult to score against."
Newcastle avoided Chelsea and set themselves up for a two-legged crack at Barca in the draw in Nyon. Howe was not fussy who his Magpies would face and said before the draw: "We’re in a great position – whoever we get is mouth-watering for us.”
But before Barca, Newcastle need to negotiate the Toffees, a home clash with Man United and then the FA Cup fifth round tie with Man City. The last thing Howe needs is his season riding on success in the Champions League knockout phases.
Despite success in the FA Cup at Aston Villa recently, not to mention a 9-3 aggregate win over Qarabag, Newcastle have lost four of their last five Premier League matches.
Howe said: "I have seen a good response from everybody, and there is a really good feeling between the players. The feeling is really high. The most important thing for us now is to look forward."
Howe was far from happy with reports that Anthony Gordon is unsettled with Arsenal linked with a £75m move for the England international.
But said: "I don’t see probably 90% of it. It comes with the territory of being a top player. You have got to put it out of your brain and focus on the football. I have not seen the story, so it is news to me.
"It is sort of your industry creating those stories. I am slightly secluded to it – if you don’t read it, you don’t know who is being linked with who.
"I think it is irrelevant really – it is how the players react to that. I think they will become robust enough to ignore it and concentrate on playing."
Newcastle have Bruno Guimaraes sidelined until April and have also ruled out Lewis Miley for the foreseeable future. Howe said: "We have just been advised with Lewis to be careful with this injury. It was a dead leg, a knock.
"There was some muscle disruption. He has had a couple of injections and I think he has one more to come. I think we’re waiting for a couple of weeks for Lewis. We are being careful to get him back in a good place."
Jacob Ramsey is set to return from a tight hamstring injury and Tino Livramento will be back next week after a long-term muscle issue.
Ensure our latest Newcastle United headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Find the best flights and hotels for Champions League games
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image