Eddie Howe is confident Newcastle can put their struggles behind them against Wolves on Sunday. The head coach revealed during his press conference that he is satisfied with this week’s work ahead of the critical fixture saying:
“It’s been a good week in terms of delivery and intensity.
“We’ve been unlucky. I don’t believe in luck, because you create it yourself, but we’ve had an unlucky period when things have gone against us.
“Lots of things are tested behind the scenes on these runs. What is the culture of your group like? What is the culture around the training ground like? It’s a good test of that. So far, the players have come up with the right answers.”
Newcastle’s excellent first half of the campaign, in which they lost just once, has kept them in the Champions League discussion. They are currently sixth with some matches in hand on the clubs immediately above them.
A couple of wins before the international break could put Newcastle into stronger contention ahead of the final 12 fixtures of this match. Howe admitted that the turn around in results needs to happen quickly as he stated:
“Two big games (against Wolves and Nottingham Forest) because of where they are situated.
“We have the international break afterwards and we want to go into that break really in a good moment.
“We’re also running out of games. They are going to go so quickly, 14 left. We need points and we are determined to end this run of games we have had in a confident way.
“And we need to try and maximize every single one of those games and it’s still in our hands.”
Howe has also confirmed that the club plans to head back to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp during the break. These excursions have helped in the past and could again spur a late-season revival.
Howe said the following about the planned trip:
“That’s the plan. We’ll have quite a few players away so I think we’ll have quite a small group, but that is the plan as we currently stand.”
Howe’s full press conference can be watched in the YouTube video below.

402 comments so far
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:09 PM
Comment #81TDS,
Descendants of the Holocaust folk. Comparing what’s happening now to genocidal persecution ain’t a good look pal, even if you’re a twitter gobshite who’s thinks you speak for your 7 million followers 😆
Novocastrian66
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:11 PM
Comment #82I don’t watch MOTD. I think it’s shite. I also think Lineker is grossly overpaid. Nevertheless he is entitled to express his views without fear or favour.
There is something inherently wrong when an organisation can basically remove someone from their position because of their opinion. Shocking.
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:13 PM
Comment #83TDS,
I just think Big ears ain’t that bright and certainly doesn’t understand what he says half the time.
Could be wrong mind, and he just doesn’t give a shit!
The Prince's Mate
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:13 PM
Comment #84Jenas is as interesting as flock wallpaper..
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:13 PM
Comment #85TfB – that’s presumably why Lineker specifically said 1930s Germany rather than anything else. I’ve used the same comparison myself when comparing some of the rhetoric. That’s what I meant about unfortunate connotations though, for some people they can’t separate the early politics of that party with the shocking actions of later years. History is history though.
JohnJ
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:13 PM
Comment #86jane
Mar 10, 2023 at 4:45 PM
Comment #7
“Gary Lineker to step back from presenting MOTD”
free speach doesn’t mean you can say anything. that’s why there is a comments policy on the blog. comparing the UK to 1930s Germany was only going to end one way.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64920557
Jane
Hear Hear!
The Prince's Mate
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:14 PM
Comment #87Toonfans…joking aside I think he became very complacent and has been shown who the real bosses are
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:17 PM
Comment #88TfB – I think he’s quite smart but doesn’t give a sh*t to be honest. I also think that it’s fair enough speaking out about important issues or issues controversial enough that the UN have said break international law.
The comparison with 1930s Germany is where is the line drawn? The German people let smaller things slide a long time before things got seriously bad. That’s what I think he was trying to say.
lesh
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:18 PM
Comment #89Fenham
Why not, before having a pop at me, read back and you’ll see I wasn’t the first to comment on the Beeb’s supposed impartiality!.
I think we’ve worked you out ……. me, me me!
Might be time you took another break before you start threatening violence – again!
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:20 PM
Comment #90Ian Wright is now refusing to work on MotD until Lineker is reinstated. 🙂
lesh
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:22 PM
Comment #91Fenham
Do you need to have a pop at Toon Fans Bad? After all, his views aren’t exactly opaque are they. Or are they OK, probably more aligned with yours?
What’s good for the goose etc
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:22 PM
Comment #92I think a few on here could learn a bit from Lineker’s rules before posting a tweet!
On his social media policy, he said: “I have three rules: I don’t tweet when I’ve had a few drinks – any drinks, I don’t tweet when I’m angry – but I’m never angry.
The other thing is, when I write a tweet, I will read it through. And if I have 1% doubt about it, I won’t send it. That’s my rule.”
Novocastrian66
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:25 PM
Comment #93JohnJ; I don’t like censorship of any form.
We live in a world with more and more restrictions on what people can say.
That is wrong.
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:26 PM
Comment #94TDS,
He should have just said UK have been historically gash in accepting asylum seekers, but if you don’t know your history it has no impact on your 7 miilion followers. So he went all in!
I think he’s ended up trivialising 1930’s Germany bigly.
Ap
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:27 PM
Comment #95I’ll let you off this time Bard 😀
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:29 PM
Comment #96TDS,
We’re guessing his motivations. But one is definitely true. His love of being the centre of attention!
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Comment #97TfB – depends what part of the 1930s to be honest. Clearly trivialising it when comparing to the latter years but would it be as bad if he said “early 1930s” I wonder?
Still has similar connotations and insinuations mind you.
And I’m sure he’s happy that it’s created a debate. That’s the whole point of posting it surely?
sparky55
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:30 PM
Comment #98Gary Lineker aint going anywhere…he’s taking a step back until the BEEB clarify their independent contractor social media policy. He’ll be back on air in about two weeks time and will get away with not apologising because there was no policy in place to judge him against.
A lovely loop hole and everyone comes out smiling with the status quo intact.
Beeb are a bunch of cowards
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:32 PM
Comment #99TfB – I think if I was the best English striker of my generation and had been presenting one of the most loved and most popular TV show for several years that I’d have a pretty high sense of my own self-importance too. At least I give him credit for trying to defend the little guy rather than just saying controversial stuff for more attention like Piers Morgan or Jeremy Clarkson do.
The Prince's Mate
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:32 PM
Comment #100Never mind big ears and the BBC… minus 10 the neet…brrr, cold
The Prince's Mate
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:35 PM
Comment #101Bet GLs luggs are flapping now
JohnJ
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:37 PM
Comment #102Novocastrian66
Comment #92
JohnJ; I don’t like censorship of any form.
We live in a world with more and more restrictions on what people can say.
That is wrong.
I agree with you 100% about censorship.
However some folk don’t seem to think how offensive their comments may be.
My motto has always been Respect. I detest political correctness and find all this “woke” stuff absolutely un bloody believable.
I really think some folk should engage their brains before spouting off!
🙂
I find this business of cancelling people because they are this or that totally horrifying
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:39 PM
Comment #103sparky55,
How’s he outside IR35 though? Coz he where’s his own clothes and not BeeB uniform?
He needs to pay his due taxes before he even thinks about gobbing off on twitter !
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Comment #104*where’s – wears!!!
The Prince's Mate
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Comment #105Shearer pulling out of motd….so it might be worth watching then..
JohnJ
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Comment #106Just a thought
I wonder if Gary Linacre locks his doors at night to stop intruders getting in!
Munster Mag
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:40 PM
Comment #107Jail stop , you’re agenda building again. Just because i advised what some Bournemouth fans said about eddie doesnt mean i dislike him, you sneaky sack of shite.
Just because i ask questions of his tactics,does not mean i dont rate him.
You sneaky sack of shite.
Munster Mag
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:42 PM
Comment #108I think Wright is excellent
Hate Jenas
Like Linacre
Like Shearer
Love Jake
Hate Clinton Newcarsel.
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:42 PM
Comment #109TDS,
I thought ITV might have pulled the Clarkson from Millionaire after his Megan Markle tirade
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:44 PM
Comment #110JohnJ – cancel culture doesn’t exist. It’s a totally made up term created by right wingers when one of their lot stops getting as much coverage.
Singers, comedians, TV presenters, actors etc have always relied on fans supporting them. They’re not paid commensurate with the work they do and their level of fame isn’t based on their achievements for humanity, they’re both based on their celebrity.
If someone does or says something that their fans don’t like, those people are completely entitled to stop being fans any more. When fans desert a celebrity in enough numbers, their value as a celebrity decreases and they’ll lose jobs.
That’s not cancel culture, it’s just simple economics. We all do it too.
sparky55
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:44 PM
Comment #111TFB…the BEEB are basically saying its their fault for not having a policy in place and that way lineker doesnt have to apologise.
Its a very clever way of the Beeb not having to sack him and Lineker not having to apologise
surreytoon
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:46 PM
Comment #112Let me nail my colours to the mast.
Well done Wrighty, Shearer and Lineker.
Maybe BBC MOTD can get David Mellor and Matt Hancock in as replacements.
Next England kit I buy for my 8 yo will have Linkeker on the back.
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:48 PM
Comment #113Sparky,
Aye, I know. But my point is he isn’t a conny at the BeeB, he’s an employee. And HMRC should sort their shit out and he should pay his taxes accordingly.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:52 PM
Comment #114I bloody love it to be honest. Just checked Lineker’s Twitter account and there’s a whole load of people who will be reading the truth about the current options open for refugees to come to this country. I.E. there are no other schemes other than for Ukrainians and one other country (I think it’s Afghanistan).
Nowt wrong with highlighting the issue and creating a debate.
Toon fans bad
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:52 PM
Comment #115There must be legal implications though anyway. How can an employer police what you say outside of work?
If it doesn’t affect the company financially where’s the damage. Big ears might have opened a right can of worms here 😆
sparky55
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:54 PM
Comment #116He’s an indepedant contractor…he’s not a BBC employee
surreytoon
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:54 PM
Comment #117Liverpool will play 3 forwards, e.g. any 3 of Jota, Gakpo, Salah, Firminho… etc. They don’t ask if they track back, if they are left or right, cut inside, cross etc.
This weekend I would go:
Isak-Wilson-Almiron
Willock-Bruno-Longstaff
Target man plus support/threat with Isak.
You could swap Isak to the right in place of Almiron and have Gordon left if you like. But bottom line, play Isak and Wilson.
Davas
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:54 PM
Comment #118Interesting press conference, commenting on several of the topics on here, including Isak’s fitness, Isak’s position, loyalty etc. Plus he comments on the Liverpool owner’s comments about having more financial restrictions.
Thankfully he didn’t mention Gary Lineker
The Taco Taker
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:56 PM
Comment #119Wasn’t Lineker the BBCs highest paid employee?
Can I expect a reduction in my licence fee given MOTD is about the only BBC show I have watched since Killing Eve?!
I am guessing I know the answers- yes and no.
ToonDarnSarf
Mar 10, 2023 at 6:58 PM
Comment #120TfB – many people (including me) have contracts prohibiting us from bringing our company into disrepute. The BBC (as a public funded organisation) will likely have even more stringent rules about staying neutral. It’s bound to be in his contract.
His argument will be that this isn’t a political issue but a moral one. He’s not actively campaigning for one political party of another but just highlighting an issue he believes is immoral.