Eddie Howe Press Conference: Newcastle United vs Manchester City Carabou Cup: First Leg Semi Final

Ahead of Newcastle United’s meeting with Manchester City, Eddie Howe spoke to the media providing updates on injuries, squad rotation and the January transfer window.

You watch a re-run of the press conference here: https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/video/905466

Newcastle have already beaten Manchester City in the Premier League this season and will be looking to for the same result in this Carabou Cup first leg semi-final.

Team News & Injury Updates

Tino Livramento: Scheduled to have a scan today on his hamstring injury. Howe said he will be out for a while and that this was devastating news after only recently returning from another long term injury.

Dan Burn: Is still two weeks away from a return.

Anthony Elanga: Close to being included in the match day squad.

No change to any of the other current injured players.

Howe acknowledged that the extra time needed in the win against Bournemouth had put a further strain on the squad's energy levels ahead of the Manchester City game.

Eddie said that he needed to ensure that he had a "fresh" team for the match and that implies that there could be a number of changes to the team that started on Saturday.

Form & Performance

Newcastle go into the game on the back of four consecutive wins and Manchester City upbeat after a crushing 10-1 win against Exeter in the FA Cup.

New City signing Antoine Semenyp scored on his debut against Exeter under the new rule that now allows players to represent more than one team in cup competitions. Eddie joked that he would have preferred if that rule did not apply.

Howe was asked about recent midfield and defensive performances and whilst pleased with the way the midfield is working, the six goals conceded in the last two games was a concern. Eddie said that Newcastle "need to do better".

Howe also said that he has been working on getting more goals from his midfield players and referenced Bruno and Joelinton scoring in recent games.

On Harvey Barnes; Howe was delighted with his form and the praise he has been receiving. Eddie highlighted that he has been scoring a variety of goals. With Anthony Gordon coming back to form Howe feels his wingers have upped their game compared to earlier in the season.

Key Points from Eddie Howe’s Press Conference

Eddie Howe was asked about the significance of playing the first leg of the semi final at home. His answer was that any game against Manchester City would be difficult and that they were the hardest team to play against over two legs.

The important factor was to win the first leg and Eddie believes the crowd will again be able to play a big part as they did against Arsenal in last years semi final home game.

Howe said he enjoyed the gap between the first and second leg as it allowed time to fully focus on other fixtures and prepare tactically depending on the first leg result.

On a new stadium and training facilities: Eddie felt the comments he expressed at a previous press conference had been "blown out of all proportion". He said that the prime objective was to get everything right and that he was fully on board with whatever timescale the decision makers in the club decide.

On the January transfer window: Howe again stressed that PSR had to be considered. He made the point that he and the club had to consider short term fixes against long term planning. Getting the right players in January, he said, was never easy.

In closing, Howe emphasised that the domestic cups where the club's best chance of silverware this season. Because of that there was no negativity around having to go to extra time to beat Bournemouth. The FA Cup is a trophy Newcastle want to win.

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