Being hammered in the Champions League is one thing, suffering a heavy defeat to the Wearsiders is something completely different, something Newcastle can't afford this weekend
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United players have been told to play the Tyne-Wear derby like their lives "depend on it" by Eddie Howe.
Whether it was a thinly-veiled warning to his troops about their future or whether Howe is suggesting it could affect his own position is up for debate. Howe took longer than usual to emerge for his post-game Press conference last night which was arguably down to the long walk from the dressing room area to the media auditorium at the building site that is the Nou Camp.
He was careful with his words to the travelling Tyneside media pack but spoke as if defeat at the weekend would be unacceptable. Losing to Sunderland earlier this season was a big dent for Howe, but losing twice?
That's unthinkable on the back of a pasting in Europe against Barcelona and what would be deemed an ailing Premier League campaign if Newcastle lose for the 13th time in the top-flight this season.
When suggesting there was a finality about things ahead of Sunday, Howe said last night: "We've got to deal with this very quickly and move on to Sunday. We have to play as if our lives depend on it."
The Wearsiders of course will be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of facing a tired Newcastle team with fragile confidence. But Howe has three training sessions to outthink Régis Le Bris.
Speaking further on the derby, Howe said: "Now, it’s all about Sunderland. It’s not about today.
"It’s about learning from today, evolving and changing if we need to. But it’s about the next game and making sure we’re mentally and physically ready for what’s going to be a huge game for us and the whole city.
"I think that’s quite a good game for us to go straight into because there’s no time for any other thought now. It’s huge.
"There’s no point talking about it though, we’ve just got to play. We’ve got to play like our lives depend on it.
"It’s such a big game for the city, for our supporters, for everyone connected with the club. We know that.
"We knew it before the first game and we know it even more now. We need to deal with this very quickly, and then move on to Sunday."
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