Last night was a rollercoaster of emotions at Villa Park, to put it mildly.
Anger at Villa’s opening goal standing despite the clear offside, sheer bemusement at Digne’s handball in the box being given as a free-kick, then joy at Newcastle’s comeback, as a Sandro Tonali brace and Nick Woltemade strike sent us into the FA Cup fifth round in a 3-1 win at Aston Villa.
Eddie Howe spoke to the media after the game, with the early questions focusing on the number of awful refereeing blunders from Chris Kavanagh and his linesman, who somehow missed a clear offside and Digne’s handball in the box.
In an impressively level-headed response to the media, Howe admitted to feeling “incensed” by the number of huge calls that were going against us, whether it be the offside goal, Digne’s red card tackle or the two penalty appeals.
“We felt really aggrieved in that first period that every decision seemed to be going against us. Without VAR, there were a lot of errors today. The officials are making honest decisions – but they got them wrong.
“The game moves at a very quick speed and I think the referees and officials are making honest decisions but they’ve got them wrong on more than one occasion against us and unfortunately for us it was sort of building up negatively for us.
“But I thought the players did really well to control their emotions, to stay calm, not let it affect our performance negatively and that’s not easy to do in that situation where you feel aggrieved.
“You have got to move on, but all through that first half, I was debating a refereeing decision. I felt incensed that there were so many going against us.”
Howe was then asked if he thinks referees are now too reliant on VAR – last night’s game highlighted the drop in standards without the technology – and made a case for and against the technology to remain.
“I think there’s an argument to say yes, because when VAR’s there, there’s always a, ‘well, I won’t give that, but let’s check it’.
“I think then your decision-making maybe isn’t as sharp as it may normally have to be, so maybe there’s a difference there.
“I’m always torn on VAR, I’ve said this many times, because I still love the emotion, even tonight when a goal’s given or when a goal goes in and you don’t see a flag or a referee eats a goal, and no one’s going to take it away from you.
“That sense and that emotion, that joy that you get in that moment, I still really love, and VAR takes it away. But then, on the other side, I was wishing there was VAR on the first goal against us and probably throughout that game.”
On the win itself, Howe was full of praise for the players’ character, hailing their ability to not let the offside goal derail our performance after being the better side for much of the first 45.
“There is a lot to take in. The overriding feeling is that we are really pleased to be through. It was great character from the players to come back from a losing position.
“It is tough to win here at the best of times but being 1-0 down – I think we did well when we conceded that we didn’t allow the goal and the decision that allowed it to affect us and destabilise our performance. I thought we were unfortunate to go in 1-0 down.”
The boss then commented on Sandro Tonali’s brace just a few weeks on from deadline day rumours about his future at the club, believing his performances speak volumes around his commitment to the cause.
“The only way Sandro can answer any questions (about his future) is by his performances on the pitch. I thought he did that today.”
“Me and Sandro have grown very close since he came to the football club. We’ve build a good understanding and relationship and it’s important to have those connections. Delighted for him personally today.”
Howe also spoke to NUFC TV about our need to find solutions now Bruno Guimaraes is face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
On that note, he was full of praise for Nick Woltemade, believing the German was “excellent” in a deeper role, playing in a No.10 role that had him playing just ahead of Tonali and Jacob Ramsey.
“We are looking for everyone to stand up and give more, in Bruno’s absence. All three midfielders (Tonali, Ramsey and Woltemade) played really well.
“I was really pleased with Nick, as that’s not a role he’s played before, but I thought he was excellent.
“Really pleased with the whole team; we stamped our authority on the game and were unlucky to go in 1-0 down.”
