Eddie Howe has bemoaned our first-half display in yesterday’s 1-0 defeat at Luton, believing our failure to win duels and the fact we were “reactive not proactive” cost us the match.
Our slow start and sloppy defending gave them an early lead and something to protect, seeing them sit deep and frustrate a Newcastle attack that never really looked like scoring. We often struggle to break down low blocks and the same was true yesterday.
Howe was then asked about our effort levels after Alan Shearer slated our lack of ‘intensity’ and ‘desire’ in a post-match tweet, with the boss accepting that we lacked ’emotion’ and ‘energy’ in our performance. He described his squad as an ‘incredible group’ and was clearly reluctant to be too critical, insisting the the players themselves realise we were well short of the levels required.
Here’s what he had to say, starting with his immediate reaction to the defeat:
“Very disappointed with the performance today.
“I thought first-half especially we weren’t where we needed to be. We knew this was going to be a very difficult game, we knew the whole day was going to be tough really because of the game and how Luton play – they’re a strong team. And also the emotion of the game – I don’t think we handled that well.
“It’s a difficult one (our away form). We have to be consistent. Today’s performance epitomised our away form because there were some really good bits but not enough. We didn’t compete well enough in the first-half, I thought we were off on our duels and we were reactive rather than proactive. And that cost us the match.”
Howe on criticism about our intensity levels:
“I have to choose my words carefully… I think we have an incredible group. But I was disappointed with the first-half performance. I felt we needed more. We needed more emotion in our performance, we needed more energy in our performance. I’m not I’m not going to sort of say any more than that, really.
“But I think the players felt that as well. I don’t think that was just me. I think we were well aware that we were below our levels, and second half was a lot better, but we couldn’t force the goal we needed and that mistake in the first half cost us too much.”
Howe then explained his decision to take off Jamaal Lascelles and Lewis Miley, with the latter a ‘tactical decision’ to bring Isak into the game:
“One was an injury (to Lascelles). And I sort of used that injury and that change to just try and change things tactically and bring on Alex (Isak) and play a slightly different way, just to try and give us more control in the game.
“I know it (taking off Miley) was based on a tactical decision. He should have no problems. He is so young, we want to control his football as well.”
They need to stop the rot soon otherwise it could become a disaster of a season that promised so much … all teams have got injury problems …
Mike(Quote)
Not playing Liveramento or Isac OR BOTMAN what oh what was he thinking being to loyal and sticking hall with five minutes remaining what a game management is that that kid must be fed up with Howe and so am i he has far to much sway in toon affairs
rintintin(Quote)
Some fans forget where we were 2 years ago . Champions league for me came around to early we over achieved last season , and I get leaving Botman and isak , and Livramento on bench two just returning from injury , 6 of our 1st team have been out along time we don’t have the strength in depth to cope with that I know we have more injury’s than that but they wouldn’t be in the team but in the squad before season started I said between 6th & 9th with all the extra games
Jeff(Quote)