CHEERS FOR FEARS
Howe could not celebrate big win
NEWCASTLE V TOTTENHAM 12.30PM, TNT SPORTS
ANXIOUS Eddie Howe could not share the Toon Army’s joy during Newcastle’s thrashing of Spurs 12 months ago – because he was too worried about Harry Kane.
St James’ Park was in a party mood as the Magpies raced into an astonishing five-goal lead in 21 minutes on the way to a 6-1 waltz, but one man was left unmoved by the quickfire demolition.
Toon head coach Howe said: “I didn’t feel like the fans, not even for a second. Not when you’ve got Harry Kane on the other team.
“And then he scores for them and you start looking at how long is left!
“That is the reality when you are a manager. You are looking at things in a totally different way to supporters.
“You cannot be in their world because you always have to ask yourself ‘what if?’ and anticipate what can go wrong.”
Howe will not have Kane to fret over this lunchtime but knows that, under Ange Postecoglou, the visitors will present a far greater threat than they did last April.
Howe said: “Hopefully, it will be the same. It was one of those special days when everything clicked.
“But I would take any win this time. Spurs have changed their philosophy and their style of play, and now they have goals from all over the pitch, rather than the one main source.”
After a testing winter, Newcastle have emerged after the international break with seven points out of nine, reviving their European prospects after being written off in the wake of their FA Cup defeat by Manchester City.
Howe said: “We knew that result would be perceived negatively, with a lot of people putting a line through our name and saying Newcastle’s season is done.
“But we certainly didn’t think that and knew we could still have a part to play in terms of places for Europe.
Games like Spurs will go a long way to deciding where we finish.”
Newcastle’s biggest result this month was arguably persuading Joelinton to sign a four-year contract after Howe had feared the Brazil midfielder could move on when talks initially stalled.
The head coach believes he may already have pulled off his biggest signing of the year.
Howe said: “It’s not easy finding replacements for someone like him.
“He’s strong, quick, scores goals, has a great attitude and can play in different positions. Of course, his deal will have ramifications.
“You’re potentially lifting wages and that has an impact on your Financial Fair Play sheet.
“But the alternative is that Joe leaves on a free transfer, which for a player of his quality would be really bad business.
“Securing him on a long-term deal sends out a positive message.”
Lewis Hall faces a fitness test on a tight quad today while Joe Willock is ruled out.