Eddie Howe has urged his Newcastle United squad to recapture that brilliant run of form that sent us into the World Cup break on a high.
The Toon boss believes our season practically “starts again” when Bournemouth come to town next Tuesday in the Carabao Cup, insisting the players “can’t relax” or rest on their laurels.
He’s told the squad that there’s “no guarantee” we pick up from where we left off and must maintain our “positive energy” captured in that 1-0 win over Chelsea last month; a memorable night at St James’ Park which secured our fifth straight Premier League win.
Next week’s game hands us the chance to move into the Carabao Cup quarter finals, with league games against Leicester City (Boxing Day) and Leeds United (31st December) set to follow for a Toon side who returned from Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Here’s what Howe had to say when asked about the return of competitive action:
“I think it’s very difficult, because this season – as we’ve said – is so unlike any other,”
“The season almost starts again. When we restart, the form we previously had there is no guarantee we will continue. We have to earn the right and start all over again.
“I think the biggest danger we can have is to think how well we have done over this current break. We can’t relax, and be in that mood.
“We have to be really determined to come back and earn it all again. That starts in the first game against Bournemouth – it’s a really important game for us.
“It’s a pivotal game, because we must keep our positive energy – and keep the crowd like they were against Chelsea (our last competitive fixture).
“That was a brilliant atmosphere, and the Bournemouth game goes to reset that all again.”
