Eddie Howe has issued a brilliant message to Newcastle United fans ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final at St Mary’s.
Speaking about our first leg clash at Southampton, the Toon boss has summed up the winning mentality he’s instilled within the squad, revealing how determined his players are to reach the final.
“We are proud to be where we are, but we want more. All season the player have shown that mentality – they’ve never settled, they’ve never pleased to be doing anything other than winning.
“The semi-final isn’t enough – it’s not enough for anybody. To say you reached the semi means nothing. We are desperate to change things. We want to make the final.
“I’m really proud of the group for being as consistent as we have been. It takes one off day to end that so to go 15 games is hugely satisfying. The disappointing thing is after Saturday it didn’t feel like that – it felt like a defeat.
“The expectations are so high internally and externally and we’re very motivated as a group so we were disappointed with the result. We need to keep perspective at all times with how well the players are doing and make sure they don’t feel any negativity going into Southampton.”
As for the side Howe will select tonight, he’s faced with two dilemmas in Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak.
Does he go with the same side that has helped us reach this stage – meaning Joelinton on the left and Callum Wilson up top – or will he hand starts to our £80m duo after they had to settle for late cameos in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace?
Howe admitted that Saint-Maximin is now in ‘peak physical shape’, also revealing that Callum Wilson hasn’t been on a very limited training programme due to illness issues after the World Cup. Combine those things with our issues in the final third in recent weeks, tonight could be the night to start our star winger and club-record signing.
