Eddie Howe has described Oscar Bobb’s stoppage time winner at St James’ Park as “really painful”, but does not see “any negativity” in the squad despite four league defeats in a row.
“I was really pleased with our attitude and how we approached the game” Howe told TNT Sports. “The second half was more difficult, and the end of the game was really painful”.
The Mags came from behind to lead City 2-1 at half-time, but as second-half fatigue set in City brought on De Bruyne who scored the equaliser and set up the stoppage time winner.
“We just have to continue in the same form as today really. There’s not a lot wrong with our performances, we’re just not putting it together for the full 90 minutes.
“You can see today we are a top team in moments and in phases of the game but to win games you need to do it for the whole game, and we just weren’t able to do that physically today.
“The group is in a good place, I don’t see any negativity. I see hurt because we aren’t winning and that’s what we’re here to do.”
Howe said that he believed his side could have scored more than the two brilliant goals from Isak and Gordon, but chances in the second half were “limited”. TNT pundit Joleon Lescott said that he felt Howe was too harsh on himself after the defeat.
Howe’s defiant message will certainly help to stem any fears from fans that a slump in form may be too much to overcome. However as it stands, Newcastle have not won in the league in 2024 and have slid down the table to tenth.
"The end of the game is very painful."
Eddie Howe reacts to a rollercoaster game in which his Newcastle side battled to take a 2-1 lead, before Man City fought back to win 3-2 🙃
🎙️ @julesbreach pic.twitter.com/UXd0qr9vnk
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 13, 2024
It wasn’t a case of second half fatigue for me, they have had a full week off.
Man City midfield dominated the game and we were chasing shadows, it shows we haven’t got the same engine and when you look at who they can call on we are a million miles off and FFP will ensure it stays that way, that the honest truth.
We also did not cover the areas we needed to in the summer, holding midfielder and we bought Barnes when we had plenty on that side, bought a promising left back that we don’t play, nobody to cover at centre forward which was needed or a right hand side player to challenge Almiron, we were shouting about cover for Schar but we had Lascelles. The recruitment department not as good as previous windows.
Joseph(Quote)