Old swagger back in team against Toffees and Hammers – Howe
EDDIE Howe feels that he witnessed the same swagger that drove Newcastle United to success in 2023 in spells during his side’s encounters with Everton and West Ham.
In what has been an indifferent 2024 for United, Howe has watched on as mixed results cast doubt over whether his side can scrape into one of the European places in the Premier League.
But certainly during the last half an hour against West Ham and in the first hour against the Toffees, Newcastle seemed to be passing the ball around with purpose once more.
Howe told The Chronicle: “When you rewind to a few weeks ago, I think the last two performances in particular have been very strong. I think the general attitude and the way we are trying to play is back. The identity is clear. You can see from our performances what we are trying to deliver.”
Howe did not shy away from the form that saw his side splutter through the winter months and slip from a more healthy top six place in mid-december to 10th by early March.
Howe said: “For a spell, I think it was missing. I’ve said in many press conferences, I’m looking for performance. Between now and the end of the season, I’m looking for us to be ourselves and grow into next season.
“I think it was a positive performance despite the disappointing end. Every game in the Premier League, home or away, is very difficult. There’s no certainty to anything so you have to earn every point.”
Howe had targeted six points from Everton and West Ham but in the end saw two points slip away from his grasp. At this stage of the season, two points can make a massive difference. After Everton, the difference was being in seventh place and eighth place.
Howe reflected: “It’s four points, not six, and we definitely wanted six. I think we deserved six. But four is a positive step forward and now we go to a tough away game.”