Eddie Howe addresses Newcastle United 'mentality’ questions - fans will be divided on the answer
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Newcastle United latest news: Eddie Howe has spoken about the mentality of his players following inconsistent form and results in the Premier League and Europe.
Eddie Howe has addressed questions surrounding his team’s mentality. The Magpies have struggled away from home all season and were soundly beaten in the Wear-Tyne derby by Sunderland at the weekend.
Add to that a plethora of late goals conceded in matches that have cost points, and concerns over the team’s mentality have grown in the fan base. Speaking ahead of their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham, Howe was asked about his side’s mentality and if they have a problem this season.
“Yeah, I think that's a really good question, what does it mean? Because it's a very overused phrase, mentality,” Howe responded.
“I hear it a lot, but then when people use it they need to understand what it is. For me, it's our preparation. For me, it's making sure when you've got a job to do at a set play and you're defending a corner you've done the practice but you take on the seriousness of your role and responsibility and you deliver it.
“That for me is mentality. Mentality is how you prepare, it's how professional you are, it's how you how hard you work at your game, all these things.
“And it's knowing your responsibilities as a teammate to deliver your best and be as consistent as you can and leave it all on the pitch. Talking off the pitch and in changing rooms for me is important but it pales into insignificance against your will to prepare and be a really good professional.
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“For me that's mentality and if that's being questioned then we need to make sure the players are aware of my thoughts.”
Eddie Howe addresses inconsistency
Heading to the Stadium of Light, Newcastle United’s form was solid, if patchy. A midweek draw at Bayer Leverkusen, another game they had stolen away by a late goal, was preceded by seven points from three games in the Premier League.
That sort of form, both in Europe and domestic, is not the type that will inspire fans that their team can go on to have a successful campaign and ensure they are playing Champions League football again next season. Finding a way to be a consistent unit again is a problem that Howe must solve in the coming weeks - and it’s an issue that Howe admits is one that is playing on his mind.
Asked if it’s difficult to know what Newcastle United team will turn up week to week, Howe responded: “It’s a horrible feeling because when you go into a game, you want your players to go on to the pitch and give absolutely everything they have in their soul and their body. For me that’s the only thing I ask a player to do.
“Then I back their abilities once they go on to the pitch with that mindset that they deliver a really good performance. There have been a few times this season where I’ve left a game unsure on that and that’s mentality.
“That’s knowing you’re representing yourself and the families when you enter the pitch. Your job is to do your best and we have lost a little bit of that and it’s up to us to try and find a way to get that back.”