Howe: We missed key chances but this pain will motivate us

EDDIE HOWE wants to use the pain of defeat in the Carabao Cup final to drive Newcastle back to Wembley in the future. The head coach admitted the 2-0 defeat by Manchester United was similar to many of the matches during their recent dropoff in form — playing well but coming up short in key moments.

But Howe feels this journey to the final is only the start for a club now under Saudi ownership. ‘We’re left with a feeling of defeat in the final, which is never nice, and we’re desperately disappointed,’ he said. ‘But already, for me, you look to the future and you’re desperate to get back here and win a trophy.

‘The supporters have been absolutely incredible for us this year, and to see them disappointed at the end hurts badly. The motivation and the thoughts have already turned to how we can get back here and win them the trophy that they deserve. ‘But we have to improve. We can’t stand still, we can’t think that we’re something at this moment in time, we have to prove we are and go again.’ Of the game, Howe added: ‘I thought we were really good between both boxes. But in the boxes is where games are won and lost. I thought we didn’t get the big moments right defensively and with the chances we did have, we weren’t clinical enough. It’s probably a similar feeling to the one that I’ve had in recent weeks.’

Howe believes Newcastle’s push for Champions League qualification will not be derailed by the low of losing the final. ‘I don’t think that (the risk of a cup final hangover) will be an issue,’ he insisted. ‘These players have responded every time they’ve been questioned this season. ‘They will be disappointed today, and we’ve got a very difficult next game to come (Man City away on Saturday). It’s probably the most difficult in the football calendar, but that will be a great challenge for us to go into.’