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3 months ago
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Eddie Howe just so impressive, as usual.
He meets everything in the same way, good or bad.
Eddie Howe not going over the top in victory or adversity, always looking for where he can improve things but not hanging players out to dry when things go wrong to deflect criticism away from himself, unlike certain previous Newcastle United managers.
Wednesday saw the Newcastle United players put in a very good shift overall.
Even more impressive when you take into account the unfamiliar heat and humidity in Japan, plus up against a team in the middle of their domestic league season, not one in the middle of getting fitness levels up to where they need to be for the impending new season.
As I say, you can just imagine what certain previous Newcastle United managers would have been like, if winning 4-1 as NUFC did on Wednesday against Urawa Red Diamonds.
Not Eddie Howe though, very measured.
More than willing to praise the positives of individuals and the team overall, whilst at the same time acknowledging there is still plenty of room for improvement this month, before the season kicks off against Southampton in 16 days time.
Eddie Howe reflects on Urawa Red Diamonds 1 Newcastle 4:
“It was really hard conditions for the lads.
“I was sweating just watching.
“That will have done us the world of good.
“Tough physically, but I thought the lads did really well to execute what we wanted to do, four good goals.
“It is not just the heat, it is the travelling.
“You can manage the flight but how do you feel two days afterwards to give your best performance in these conditions?
“It’s a mental test more than anything and the players passed that test.
“I think we will come back from this match stronger.
“It wasn’t a perfect defensive performance, so work to do there, but overall very happy.
“I thought it was a patchy performance to be honest.
“There were some really good bits, some bits to work on.
“Very difficult and it was a mental test more than anything.
“Once again we passed that test and I think will come back from this game stronger.
“There’s some really good bits but some stuff we need to work on, it never stops does it?
“That’s always the case no matter how you play.
“It was a good game, really good conditions for us to improve our fitness levels, a very hot and humid day.
“Lots to improve on but I thought mentally we could not complain about the players.”
Eddie Howe asked about Alexander Isak, who has now scored in all three pre-season friendlies played so far:
“I thought that he was amazing today.
“Looks really sharp, really fluid in his movement, really quick, dynamic, pressed well.
“Really happy with his individual performance.
“He was electric, looked like he was hungry for goals. I think his game can go up (another level).
“I think there are areas to improve.
“We will always find those percentages to try and add to his game.
“We work continuously with him, in partnership with him.
“We have got a really good relationship with him.”
“We are trying to find new ways to score more goals, or help the team in different ways.
“Really pleased with his application today.”
Eddie Howe asked about Jacob Murphy, who has also now scored in all three pre-season friendlies played so far, four goals in total:
“Jacob is having a good pre-season.
“He looks sharp.
“He looks motivated to help the team.”
(Read the Urawa Red Diamonds 1 Newcastle 4 match report HERE)
(Watch the Urawa Red Diamonds 1 Newcastle 4 match highlights and all the goals HERE)
Final scoreline:
Urawa Red Diamonds 1 Newcastle 4
Newcastle team v Urawa Red Diamonds:
Nick Pope (Odysseas Vlachodimos 59), Tino Livramento (Alfie Harrison 67), Emil Krafth, Dan Burn (Cathal Heffernan 75), Lewis Hall, Joe Willock (Jamie Miley 46), Sean Longstaff (Miguel Almiron 46), Jacob Murphy (Jay Turner-Cooke 67), Joelinton, Harvey Barnes (Ben Parkinson 59), Alexander Isak (Trevan Sanusi 59)
Unused subs:
John Ruddy
A great start to the football in Japan, now we look forward to Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday, a 7pm kick-off local time and 11am back in the UK.
Newcastle United schedule to end of September 2024:
Saturday 20 July 2024 – Newcastle 3 SpVgg Unterhaching 1
Saturday 27 July 2024 – Hull 0 Newcastle 2
Wednesday 31 July 2024 – Urawa Red Diamonds 1 Newcastle 4
Saturday 3 August 2024 – Yokohama F Marinos v Newcastle United friendly at the National Stadium in Toyko.
Friday 9 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Girona FC friendly 7.30pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)
Saturday 10 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Stade Brestois 4pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)
Wednesday 14 August 2024 – The Carabao Cup second round draw will be made around 10pm.
Saturday 17 August 2024 – Newcastle v Southampton (3pm)
Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports
Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played
Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.
Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports
(The first international break of the season)
Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports
Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)
Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)
Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)
Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

 
