To say a big performance is needed by Newcastle United against Manchester City on Saturday evening would be quite the understatement.
After enduring back-to-back 3-1 losses in the league before the international break, a positive result today could be the catalyst for getting our season back on track, particularly ahead of a chaotic festive period of games.
And an encouraging display against one of the two title favourites would also go a long way in motivating both the players and the fanbase that our European football ambitions are still alive and well.
Here’s what Eddie Howe had to say in his pre-match press conference, discussing the need for a response and big atmosphere, as well as our busy schedule ahead…
If there’s any fixture that Howe ‘dreads’ the most in his calendar every season, it’s probably Man City. In 20 games played against the Cityzens in all competitions, Howe’s only been able to coach one win, back in 2023.
But that win was, of course, at St James’ Park, and the gaffer has called upon the fans to make the 12th man factor truly count in our favour for Saturday’s game.
“It’s a really tough fixture, we know Manchester City’s qualities, but we want a raucous St James’ Park. The home support this season has been incredible, and I think we’ve played well at home too.”
Because of how congested the Premier League table is at the moment, even just two or three wins strung together could see us jump from 14th place right up to the European spots, which would dramatically alter the outlook of our season so far.
With this and recent setbacks in mind, Howe has called on his player to ‘put that right’ and get back on track:
“We’re looking forward to the match. We have a lot to prove to ourselves after the last couple of away games in the Premier League, which have been really disappointing.
“We’re desperately keen to put that right and get our Premier League form back on track.
“Regardless of results, you have something to prove every game. I want the players to respond this weekend – everyone is hurt by those two away games we had, no one more than myself.
“We’ve been looking deep into everything we do and planned and plotted a route ahead.”
The next six weeks worth of fixtures is quite simply brutal, and will be a real success for both Howe and the squad if we enter January with all three of our Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup hopes all relatively intact.
Between now and the start of 2026, we play four of the big six, travel away twice in the Champions League to Marseille and Leverkusen, contest the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham, and have the small matter of the first league Tyne-Wear derby in close to a decade at the Stadium of Light.
It’s a punishing schedule, one that will really test the fitness and mental fortitude of the lads, but at least a point against Man City would be a welcome start to the run of fixtures.
“This is going to be our busiest time of the season, relentless over the Christmas period, and that’s when we need all of the players who are currently working their way back to fitness, ideally back, so we have a full, healthy squad to share the burden in the coming weeks
“It (the busy run) goes right to the end of January, and I think this is going to be a really enjoyable spell. We’ve really enjoyed the Champions League challenge and then going back to the Premier League and that yo-yo effect we have to deal with better.
“It’s been a real challenge away from home and we have to navigate that better but I think we have to squad to cope with that, especially if we can get these last remaining players fit that have been close.”
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