Howe rues missed chances as Newcastle beat utd 2-0
30.12.2024
OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER, UK
30.12.2024
OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER, UK
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00:00You all right, lads? OK.
00:25Scott, do you want to start us off?
00:27Yeah, we've had some very enjoyable evenings, I imagine, with the Newcastle manager,
00:32that must be right up there, watching each side play like that at Old Trafford.
00:36Yeah, I think so. I think we know the hurt this fixture's had for us historically.
00:43It wasn't lost on us, we didn't necessarily use that with the players,
00:48but psychologically that was a big step forward for us today.
00:52I think we need to win games like this to achieve what we want on a regular basis,
00:59so sometimes you need to do it to believe you can do it.
01:04I thought we managed the game really well, I thought we played really well in the first half,
01:08so I was delighted with the team.
01:10Talking about that first half there, that felt like Newcastle right back to their best,
01:15swarming all over them, creating lots of chances,
01:18is that felt like as good as you've been all season?
01:22Yeah, I think for probably half an hour of that first half, yeah, I'd agree.
01:26Every game's different and the challenge is always difficult, even at 2-0,
01:30you need the third goal, we didn't get it, we had chances to grab it.
01:34That second half's on a knife edge, if they score the game can change quickly,
01:38so I thought we showed good maturity,
01:41I thought we didn't play to the heights that we did in the first half,
01:44but we were still effective and saw the game out well.
01:47How pleased are you with the way...
01:51I mean, you can pick a lot of individuals out of that,
01:53but your kind of star players, your big-name players, Isaac, Brindle, Tonali, Amli,
01:59the way they've played in this last month,
02:01they've all taken their individual levels up and clearly that's collectively helped too.
02:07Yeah, no, I'd agree with that.
02:08I think we knew that the early season our form was patchy,
02:13we weren't at the levels that we know individually and collectively that we needed to be.
02:18It was frustrating for all of us because we were waiting to sort of hit the ground running
02:24and we were determined to try and do it, but for whatever reason we couldn't find
02:28the missing ingredients that transformed our performances to where they need to be.
02:32We still picked up points, valuable points,
02:34but I think now we're seeing in the last group of games the team return to the level that we know we can be,
02:39and now the challenge is to try and stay there, which is of course very difficult to do,
02:43and those players that you mentioned have performed really well lately,
02:46I think they all performed well today,
02:48and they're so important to us because they can really make the difference.
02:53Eddie, you've obviously got a very dynamic, powerful, front-of-field trio there.
02:58When you saw United playing to Castanero and Everton,
03:02they've been great players historically, but maybe not quite the likes that they've gotten past.
03:05Do you feel like in an area of pitch you can really dominate and hurt them tonight?
03:09I think from our perspective, of course we looked and analysed Manchester United,
03:13I think you have to, tactically they give you a problem.
03:16Those two players that you mentioned are very, very good technically,
03:19so I think the big thing for us was to try and minimise their effect on the game in that sense,
03:23and try and make it difficult for them to build their rhythm in the game
03:27and find the passes that we know could have hurt our back line.
03:30I thought our midfield did a really good job earlier in the game of doing that,
03:33and we believe in those three players and the control that they can give us,
03:37and I thought they all played their part in giving us the ball
03:42and helping us with some of the attacks that we made in the first half.
03:46But in terms of Manchester United, you know that they were always in the game,
03:50and one goal in that second half for them could have changed it,
03:52and that's why I was really pleased with how we defended all through the match.
03:55Got it, Jordan, Dominic and then Lee Ryder.
03:57It's four wins in a row in the Premier League, 13 goals scored,
04:00but in reply, what has clicked since that point in time?
04:05I think a whole host of things, I don't think it's one thing.
04:09But even the Brentford game, we lost because we conceded some really poor goals.
04:13Some of our general play was pretty good that day and we did a lot of scoring,
04:17so I think that part of our game has gradually come back.
04:20But the defensive side was probably the hallmark of our Champions League season.
04:24The way we defended, the number of clean sheets we got,
04:27it's great to see us return to those solid-looking performances
04:32where we're not giving a lot away at the moment.
04:35Martin's not had a lot to do, he's distributed the ball really, really well,
04:38but goalkeeping-wise, because of how we've defended,
04:42even today I can picture ourselves flying in front of blocked shots at the end of the game.
04:46Really, really pleased with that aspect of our play.
04:48And I think the disappointment tonight, probably five years late,
04:51you were calling him out for a stream, was that that key?
04:54Yeah, the coincidence is he's going to miss two games, of course,
04:57because of the Carabao Cup game as well,
04:59so it's a big blow for us and for him that we're going to have to change our backline
05:03because it's been so stable for us in the middle of the pitch
05:06and Dan have built up a really good partnership.
05:10But that will give an opportunity to someone else
05:12and hopefully the team won't be adversely affected.
05:16You said yourself previously one of your favourite things as a manager
05:19was the way the players improved.
05:21In that respect, is Lewis more of a perfect player for you in 2024,
05:25when you look at where he started the year compared to where he is now?
05:29Yeah, he's made great strides.
05:31The assist today was a really important moment,
05:34we needed to start the game well, his cross I think took a slight deflection,
05:37but it was a really good piece of play from him and Anthony,
05:40and Alex is in the right place to finish it off.
05:43I think Lewis has continued to improve,
05:46he's played with a really level head every game,
05:49I don't think you see a change in him,
05:51he's very, very solid, delighted with the progress he's made.
05:54The challenge for him is to continue that involvement in his game.
05:58A month ago you failed to register a shot against Crystal Palace,
06:02and tonight, four or five minutes, ten players,
06:05all the outfield players have either created a shot or had one.
06:09In some ways, was that Palace game a wake-up call or a turning point in your season
06:14in any type of sense?
06:17I don't know, I think the Crystal Palace game,
06:20if we'd have won that game, would have been a great performance
06:22and we were a minute away from doing it,
06:24so I always look back with different eyes slightly to how other people see it,
06:28and I understand the criticism we got after that game,
06:31but sometimes the scoreline does directly influence how you play,
06:35and I felt that was the case that day.
06:38But I do think we've seen a big, steep upward curve since that game,
06:42I think we're playing with a lot more freedom, a lot more expression,
06:46and that's great to see.
06:48We've got three more, Lee, Craig and then Chris to finish, please.
06:51You talked before the game about how important confidence was,
06:54but the good thing about the first goal seemed to be
06:57that there was an expectancy from your own players
06:59that you were going to have a good start,
07:01and you were determined to get off to a flyer.
07:05Yeah, I think we always had that intention, we had that intention early season,
07:08but for whatever reason we got in a nasty habit of conceding the first goal,
07:11and when you go away from home that makes your life twice as hard
07:16as, of course, the other way round, which we've done in recent weeks,
07:20where we've been the team, the aggressor, the team that scored the first goal,
07:24and it just lifts everybody.
07:25So, really pleased with the start of the match,
07:27the first half an hour, as I say, was very, very good.
07:30We couldn't maintain that, really,
07:33in the manner that we'd played early in the match,
07:36but I thought Manchester United made it difficult for us.
07:39Obviously, it could have been more from the chances created,
07:42is that the next step for the team now,
07:44to come away with a really convincing win?
07:48Of course, that's what we want, but it's easier said than done.
07:51I think the next stage for us is to keep
07:54very, very focused on the next step and the next game.
07:57A tough run of games for us, we now go to Tottenham,
08:00that won't be easy, and of course then Arsenal's on the horizon
08:03in the Carabao Cup, so exciting games for us, really great challenges,
08:07but we started that period of away games in great fashion.
08:11Just one on, obviously you mentioned that Fabio Chiesa is going to be missing now,
08:14how close is Sven Bottmann now to a return?
08:18Yeah, he's getting there, he's had a period of training which we knew he needed.
08:24He's had a little bit of illness in the last few days,
08:26hopefully he'll get over that pretty quickly,
08:29and yeah, we have, I think, depth in the squad
08:32that can cover any absentee,
08:35and hopefully that's the case with Fabio.
08:37Just quickly, a continuation of that,
08:39does Sven have any chance of filling that void with Fabio being out for two games?
08:43Yeah, Sven will be in and around, my thinking for sure,
08:47as will a few other players.
08:48Emile Craft won't make it back in time for the next game,
08:51but apart from that we should have everyone available.
08:54Just by extension, when Sven comes back in,
08:56we'll have to be made about that,
08:57but the actual assumption is he would come in for Dan Burnham potentially,
09:02that's the position,
09:03how can you leave Dan Burnham in the back of the night's leg tonight,
09:06and the season as a whole?
09:07He was in Publix again.
09:09Yeah, I think as long as Dan continues to play
09:12in the way that he has this season,
09:14there's no way you can contemplate losing him from the back line,
09:17it's not just how he's played,
09:18but it's how he leads,
09:19and his understanding of what I need the team to do
09:22I think is at the very highest level,
09:24and I think Dan's been magnificent this year in every respect,
09:28but he needs to keep his level,
09:29and I think he knows that,
09:30he's got not just Sven Bottmann,
09:32but Lloyd Kelly and other defenders
09:34that are waiting for their opportunities,
09:36and that's the beauty of the squad at the moment,
09:37I think when you look at the bench,
09:39there's players waiting to play and to show their qualities.
09:44Chris, to finish.
09:45Eddie, you described this second month as a big step forward,
09:48you also came here as the Publix favourites,
09:50and you put a bit of expectation on them,
09:51which is not something really that's been in the Premier League era,
09:54how important was it that players managed that,
09:56and how did they manage that sort of expectation?
09:59Yeah, I think that's again another thing you have to overcome,
10:02the expectation part of the game,
10:04now for me I wasn't aware of that,
10:06but I know there had been an expectation internally,
10:08there always is for us that we want to win every game,
10:11regardless of who we play,
10:12and I always say we respect the opposition but we don't fear anybody,
10:17but then actually stepping forward
10:18and delivering the performances under pressure in the environment
10:21isn't always easy,
10:23so I do think it's a big step forward today,
10:26but we need to do it again,
10:27and two other grounds very similar to today's
10:30and Tottenham and Arsenal in our next two games.
10:32You've reached mid part of the season
10:34and you're up to fifth in the Premier League
10:35in the Carabao Cup semi-finals,
10:37been a bit of a rollercoaster 2024,
10:39testing at times as you've said earlier this season,
10:41how would you assess the first half of those cup games so far?
10:46Yeah, pretty good,
10:47I think you learn all the time,
10:48I always say that I'm forever learning,
10:52week in, week out,
10:53the Premier League demands that of you,
10:55you can never stand still,
10:56the game changes from week to week,
10:58things you think you've got mastery of one minute,
11:02you don't have the next,
11:03and that's down to the league and the analysis involved,
11:06so for me it's always about hard work,
11:08processes,
11:09I've really enjoyed this season,
11:12although it's been a difficult challenge at times,
11:14we look good at the moment,
11:17we have to continue our focus and not get carried away.
11:20Okay, thank you everyone.