Eddie Howe has been discussing the challenges ahead as we aim to replicate our Premier League success and cope with the “unknowns” of competing in the Champions League.
Newcastle have made huge strides in just under two years thanks to Howe – from battling relegation to playing against Europe’s elite in such a short space of time comes with both its positives and negatives.
Speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of next weekend’s opening game, the 45-year-old talked about the ‘different dynamic’ that the Champions League brings – the extra games and travelling – and is preparing his squad to be robust and remain focused on our league form.
Instead of looking ahead to how he will manage such an intense season, the boss is prioritising the ‘immediate targets’ of a successful league campaign, knowing there’s several tough games to overcome before our UCL campaign kicks off.
Watch the full clip here from the club’s training ground, followed by quotes in full:
“I think the expectation, the dynamic, is different this year, than it was last year. I think last year we had just escaped relegation, so we came in as slightly unknowns really.
“Nobody quite knew how we would adapt to the new season, having finished the previous season very well. I think this year there is that expectation that we carry on where we left off last year.
“Football being football, it is never that easy. We have to earn that right all over again, I think starting from the first game.
“We know the Premier League is extremely difficult, it is a long season, so I think the big thing is that we just can’t be distracted by any noise outside. We have to just look very internal and make sure we are at our very best.
“That (Champions League football) is a different dynamic for us. You have the travelling, the extra games.
“It’s almost a distraction from the Premier League and I think there are a lot of unknowns for us but all we can do at this time, is focus on the Premier League.
“A busy schedule of games before the Champions League even starts, so rather than looking too far ahead, look at our immediate targets.
“The Premier League is hard enough without off course, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
