Howe hopes short sharp shock will revitalise Magpies
NEWCASTLE V WOLVES 8PM, SKY SPORTS
EDDIE HOWE has warned Newcastle’s stars they are playing for their futures at the ambitious Saudi Arabia-funded club.
The Magpies head coach has admitted to holding a “frank and honest” inquest in which players saw his angry side for the first time.
Ahead of Wolves’ visit to St James’ Park tonight Howe, below, said: “Every day in training I’m making assessments and judgments on character, on attitude, and that’s where you really see what the players are like – behind the scenes, day to day. My expectations on the training ground are very high. I want everyone to give their best in every moment so some players can find that a challenge, but that’s what you need for long-term success.
“So every day I’m analysing and making decisions about people’s futures.You have to speak frankly and honestly at certain moments and I’m not one to talk for too long after a game because emotions are high and you can make mistakes.
“But certainly this week, without going into too much detail, I’ve changed the way I’ve dealt with the players because I didn’t like what I saw in the second half on Sunday [5-1 loss to Tottenham] and nobody connected with the club liked what they saw. It’s very important that second half doesn’t linger.
“I think we had to put it to bed quite quickly, while acknowledging what we didn’t do right.”
Bruno Guimaraes will get his first home start, with Joe Willock suffering a knee injury.
Wolves hope their very own version of ‘Away The Lads’ can shoot them into the top six. The Geordie anthem has been given its own twist thanks to the impressive away form of Bruno Lage’s side.
They’ve taken 26 points on their travels and boss Lage said: “First, no one should underestimate the support we take on these journeys. They’ve been incredible.
“And second, we just feel comfortable playing away.We have a plan and we try to execute it and make the home supporters get anxious and put the pressure on their team.”
NEWCASTLE (probable): Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Shelvey; Saint-Maximin, Fraser, Wood.
WOLVES (probable): Sa; Kilman, Coady, Boly; Jonny, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Marcal; Podence, Trincao; Silva.