Newcastle United were second best all afternoon in a dismal derby day display, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stad...
Newcastle United were second best all afternoon in a dismal derby day display, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
An own goal from Nick Woltemade in the early stages of the second half gave the hosts the lead, whilst we simply couldn’t string together any big chances as we produced arguably our worst performance of the season.
All eyes are now onto Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham, which has become an even more must-win game to salvage what has been a rather mixed December so far.
Here’s what Eddie Howe had to say after today’s unacceptable display on Wearside.
Howe issues post-match apology
Speaking after Sunday’s game, Howe has apologised to the fans for the disappointing display, and has tried to dissect just what went so wrong for us today.
Bar a battling performance from Bruno Guimaraes in the second half, the entire team was toothless, failing to really challenge Robin Roefs throughout the 90 and losing far too many duels.
Reacting to the nightmare result that will “sting for a long time”, Howe said:
“That will sting for a long time. We know our performance was off what we needed to to be. Not defensively, we defended well. It was a game of few chances.”
“Unfortunately, the one big moment goes against us, it was a bizarre moment. But we weren’t good enough to open them up.
“I am disappointed for the supporters and sorry for our performance, for a lack of goalmouth action and clinical attacking. It certainly wasn’t a lack of effort.”
“But the first 60 minutes I don’t think we posed a threat at all. It wasn’t the finest day for any of our front players. The openings were there, with a better decision or pass. The quality was not there in that phase of the game.
“The changes had a positive impact but we didn’t work their goalkeeper anywhere near enough. We didn’t sustain the pressure enough. Losing is a horrible feeling and this is painful.”
Howe insists on staying calm after defeat
The manager has asked for the fans to remain calm after Sunday’s defeat, and to continue to back the lads ahead of some huge games still to come in December.
It’s our fourth defeat in our last nine games across all competitions, and the team’s performance today was a far cry from the display shown when we beat Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City last month. Howe seems to think that today was just a rare blip in performance from many of his key players, and that we will indeed bounce back from this.
“We’ve got to be careful that we don’t jump to sort of attach things to the performance,”
“We’ve lost a game and we know we haven’t played well enough but I don’t think it was the level of performance of Brentford and West Ham.
“I don’t think it was even near those levels. I think it wasn’t our finest but there was a lot of good to take depending on which side of the game we’re looking at. I can say off the ball I thought we were very good. So no, I don’t think it was that.”
Naturally, a performance like what we saw unfold at the Stadium of Light will invite plenty of criticism towards the players, and Howe has acknowledged and accepted the fans’ inevitable frustration.
“Criticism comes with every defeat, but of course with this one I think it will be louder and stronger just because of the game and the importance of the game. And we fully acknowledge that and that’s why it hurts so much. I’m so disappointed for our supporters and sorry for the performance.”
Addressing the players’ collective efforts, Howe has challenged the idea that there was a lack of effort, insisting his players gave everything on Sunday.
“Yes, I think the easy thing is to say no. You lost the game and we’re frustrated, but I don’t think anyone’s gone out there with any intention other than trying to win the game and give their best.”
“Was there possibly a bit of fatigue in our performance? Yes, not an excuse, just the reality.”
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