Howe fired up by video of cup loss
EDDIE HOWE did not watch Manchester United lift the Carabao Cup.
But within hours of the final whistle, he was already watching a video of the final to work out why his side lost 2-0 – and what they could do better.
Howe admitted on Friday that he is an intense boss, who rarely switches off.
Even in the lowest moments of the cup final loss, he was seeking answers.
He found the international break a “strange feeling” when he was free from the pressure of making daily decisions or organising full training.
Howe has now viewed the February defeat several times in preparation for today’s game when a win would haul Newcastle above the Old Trafford giants.
He has revealed he revs up for a day’s work with dawn gym sessions, which clear his mind, pumps up his body and gives him a focus ahead of training.
Fitness
He said: “It seems to work for me. Fitness and exercise just get me into a much better frame of mind to attack my work. Without it, I don’t feel as good, so it’s an important part of my regime.
“It’s a mixture really, I try to lift some weights – I know I might not look like it!
“A bit of cardio in there as well, so I tend to work out early in the morning.
“Dan Hodges comes in with me, our sports scientist, and he puts the sessions on for me and I just do what he says.
“Work is so intense, you are so emotional after games. Even after a season, it takes me a couple of weeks to return to normal.”
Newcastle are determined to put their Wembley loss right and Howe says it has only intensified his desire to win a cup.
He said: “I think whenever you come close to doing something, but don’t ultimately get over the line, it only intensifies your motivations and desires to achieve that. I’m desperate to do it for everyone connected with the club.”
“There was disappointment. I’ve had many of them. There was a moment where that night I ended up watching the game back and you’re just looking for what we could have done differently.
“How could we have won that game – and that’s a normal process for when we don’t achieve what we want. Natural disappointment, but quickly focus on the next challenge.”
For this afternoon Newcastle have Joelinton back after suspension, but United will be missing Casemiro.