Eddie Howe has stated that his team, Newcastle, is facing a crucial game on Tuesday against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round. Due to injuries, Howe has been supportive of his squad throughout the season, but after their 4-1 loss in the Premier League to Arsenal, he chose not to defend them.
The speaker emphasized the importance of individuals fulfilling their responsibilities and avoiding mistakes, regardless of the team’s tactics. However, the team has been experiencing frequent errors in recent weeks.
There are several areas in which we need to improve and our performance at Arsenal was not satisfactory. We cannot make excuses for this and must take complete responsibility.
When questioned about the possibility of older players playing to secure their place on the team, Howe agreed with the idea. He mentioned that all elements of their performance were lacking in the match against Arsenal.
Blackburn, a team competing in the Championship league, may feel motivated by the breakdown of Newcastle’s defense, which has severely damaged their chances of qualifying for European competitions through the league. Among the top tier teams, only Sheffield United, Burnley, Luton, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest have let in more goals. Over the past eight league matches, Newcastle has conceded a total of 23 goals.
“We do not want to make it easy for our opponents to play against us, and I accept responsibility for that,” stated Howe. He acknowledged that his team has lost the strategic advantage that made them difficult opponents in the previous year. “We must find ways to remain strong defensively while also being effective in our offensive tactics. Currently, the balance between attack and defence is not ideal. Our ability to manage the game has not been at the level it was last season. This is something we need to assess and address.”
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Newcastle’s manager is encouraging his team to take advantage of a “massive chance” to keep their hopes alive for a final at Wembley, with around 7,000 fans expected to travel to Ewood Park. Howe remains optimistic about the season and hopes for the return of Martin Dubravka from illness, replacing Loris Karius in goal. “Our fate is not yet determined,” he stated.
Source: theguardian.com
