Howe still looking for Newcastle after Everton draw as he bids farewell to Goodison Park
05/10/2024
Goodison Park, Liverpool, UK
05/10/2024
Goodison Park, Liverpool, UK
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00:00I think the big positive probably is that that's certainly more solid you've looked I think away from home all season.
00:07Is the slight disappointment that maybe when you had opportunities that the final ball just wasn't there or you gave it away quite a lot?
00:14Yeah, I think I'd agree with probably 90% of that.
00:2090% of it. I think we did look more solid today, that is our best defensive performance of the season.
00:25Especially when you consider the opponent, because Everton are very difficult to play against, a lot of direct play.
00:31One mistake can be fatal against them, whether that's not dealing aerially with the threat or the second ball.
00:38Set plays again, defended really well, so I was really pleased with that aspect of our play.
00:43I thought we were much better with the ball today. It was a big step forward, it's the best we've been in the first two thirds of the pitch.
00:50Controlled the game, created the moments, just the final ball was off, the final action was off.
00:57The individual actions were off in that attacking area, so that's the frustration.
01:01When we had the defensive part there, we didn't have the attacking part.
01:05How is Anthony? Obviously, he's going to be desperate for a score and he missed a penalty, but how has he been coming off everything?
01:17I think naturally he'll be disappointed, but I think much better performance from him here today than there was last year.
01:24I think he dealt with the occasion really well. Tactically he gave them a problem, he played deep, technically very good.
01:31He didn't play really well, he did have his moments, he had his chance towards the end of the game as well.
01:36I thought his overall performance was very good. As you say, anyone can miss a penalty.
01:40We absolutely support him, he's been incredible for us, but I thought today was a positive day for him.
01:46That said, presumably it will be a real boost for you to have Alexander and or Karol Black after the international break?
01:55I didn't get to see you last week, you've done well in a lot of aspects, but that's all you've got really, isn't it?
02:03Yes, you're always going to miss your strikers if they're not fit.
02:07Any team you take, any focal point number nine out of a team, you're going to miss them.
02:12I think the two that we've been missing are our top players.
02:17They're both different, of course, but I think you can see those elements of our game just slightly missing,
02:22that spark was missing, and I think in part that's down to them.
02:25Anthony's done incredibly well, the group's done incredibly well to plough on without them,
02:30but we'll be delighted to get them back if we can, and there's no guarantee with that.
02:33We hope the next two weeks we can see both of them in training and hopefully they'll be fit for Brighton.
02:40Jordan and then Craig?
02:46Yes, I think he is, he brings that stand-out quality, the ball-winning aspect, the covering of ground,
02:53I thought he did all of those things today.
02:56But it wasn't just him, I think there was a really good feeling about our back four today,
03:00I thought they looked strong, solid air, I thought we did really well.
03:05Of course your midfield play a huge part in protecting your back four,
03:09I think we minimised them to very few chances in the game,
03:12I think we have to take a lot of confidence from that.
03:15And we protected Nick, he had one big save to make.
03:18You mentioned the midfield, is that the best balance you've probably seen this season from a three-man midfield?
03:26Yes, I think it's fair to say that, I think it's the best balance we've seen from the team,
03:30as well as the midfield, everyone contributed, I thought it was a mature performance,
03:36solid performance away from home, I think the only thing missing if we win that game 2-0,
03:39I don't think anyone would begrudge us doing so.
03:42What was the goal?
03:45Craig?
03:46And it's a variation of the theme, but would you have won that game today with one-off Calum Olex in the team?
03:52Very difficult for me to give absolute certainty and clarity to that.
03:56My belief, we'd have a much better chance with them available.
04:00Just on Kieran Triggie, was there a hamstring injury there?
04:03Yes, I don't know, he said he felt something, you're going on gestures and actions,
04:07then he went down and said he felt his hamstring, I haven't spoken to him about it afterwards.
04:12How close is Slendbottom? I know he's pushed a couple of encouraging images the last couple of days,
04:17is he a lot closer than we first thought?
04:20No, I don't think so, I think he's progressing as we expect,
04:24I don't think you can see him, we expect to see him any time this month.
04:28It will be small steps, but positive steps, he's in a good place,
04:32hopefully we'll see him towards the end of the year.
04:35Can you give a further quarter-term report, an assessment of what you've seen?
04:43I think so far we've seen the groups together, the groups motivated to do well,
04:48we know we can play better, we know we can do more,
04:51and that's the challenge, I'm going to set the players.
04:55Just on Anthony, we've seen players disappear after the missed penalty,
05:01he did the exact opposite and probably that's helpful.
05:05Yeah, I thought he handled that disappointment really well,
05:08because I know from personal experience, not in terms of missing penalties,
05:11but making a mistake or a moment goes against you and it can play on your mind,
05:16because you know you're not going to be able to replay it,
05:19so it can affect you negatively, I don't think it did today,
05:22but we really learnt from last season's game here.
05:24And of course his international experience,
05:26and lots of other things he's adding to his game to be able to deal with these situations.
05:30There was a lot of pressure on him in that moment,
05:33he's been an outstanding penalty taker, I see him work on it every day in training,
05:36so I've got no issues with him taking it or taking another one in the future.
05:40We really do back him and I think he did really well today.
05:44Not just that, but the team responded well from that moment,
05:48you'd been celebrating it like a goal, wasn't it?
05:51Again, you could have disappeared again.
05:54Yeah, absolutely, because I think it was almost like a goal for them.
05:58The crowd were into the game in that moment,
06:01it felt like it was an unjust decision, I don't think it was,
06:04but the crowd felt that way and then of course the game can turn on those moments.
06:07I thought we did well to control our emotions,
06:10and even second half towards the end of the game
06:12I thought we were pretty much in control all the way through.
06:16This is probably the last time Newcastle play here,
06:19you've been a football man,
06:22appreciate the traditions, will you miss this place?
06:27Probably not.
06:28Not from our games against them here,
06:31it's a difficult ground to come to.
06:33We've won here, we've lost here,
06:35what I will say, the Everton supporters create a great atmosphere for their team,
06:40so it is a difficult place to play.
06:42But looking forward to, if I'm still Newcastle manager, going next season.
06:50You've barely stole my thunder a bit there,
06:52you were saying your focus was on Newcastle winning today,
06:55but you've had highs and lows at Goodison Park,
06:58as a boy you never told me yourself,
07:00what are your reflections on the venue,
07:02because it probably won't be the last time?
07:05Yeah, I think it's an iconic venue,
07:07I think it's one of these stadiums
07:09that if you haven't been to any football stadiums in England,
07:12you've got to come to.
07:13This is a traditional, older-style stadium
07:16that has certainly over the years had magic moments for Everton
07:20that have contributed to their history.
07:22So certainly not, from my side, disrespecting that.
07:27I think it's an iconic ground,
07:29it will be missed in English football,
07:33just from my own personal experiences here.
07:35I haven't been, overall I'd say, positive as a manager,
07:38and I always reflect back on the losses,
07:40so some painful memories.
07:45A couple of penalty shouts today,
07:47you obviously got one, Everton felt they should have had one,
07:49just what did you do?
07:50Yeah, I think our one was clear,
07:52on the replay I didn't see it live,
07:54I had no way of knowing,
07:56but I thought on the replay it was clear it was a penalty.
07:58I haven't seen Everton shout again,
08:01I thought Dan stood his ground naturally outside our way.
08:05Your 300th Premier League match today,
08:0820th manager to reach that milestone,
08:10how proud are you of that?
08:15Yeah, I had no idea until I was told earlier,
08:18I don't keep count of games,
08:20for me it's always about the team,
08:22individual stuff's irrelevant,
08:24but I think the thing that struck me upon hearing it
08:26was the 20th manager to do that,
08:28it just goes to show how quickly time goes,
08:30and we've all got to try and enjoy every moment.