Eddie Howe proposed that his team’s renewed patience played a role in Newcastle’s first victory against Sunderland since 2011.
“After securing a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak scored two goals, breaking the team’s streak of seven losses in eight games. The coach stated that they were able to find the perfect balance between patience and attacking in order to achieve this victory.”
“Perhaps in the past, we have not always maintained the right balance. However, we effectively managed the beginning of the game and the situation. We calmed things down and avoided turning it into a fast-paced game; instead, we aimed to maintain control. Winning held great significance for us.”
The recent change in Newcastle’s strategy, shifting away from their usual aggressive pressing tactics and focusing on dominating the midfield with Bruno Guimarães, resulted in a disappointing loss for Sunderland in Michael Beale’s fifth match as manager.
The recent Tyne-Wear derby was a revitalizing experience for Howe, being the first one since 2016. He stated, “We embraced the event and it wasn’t something unfamiliar to us. It was just another day, given our experience playing in high-stakes games like the Champions League and Premier League this season. The energy of the crowd was similar to what we’ve experienced in Milan or Paris Saint-Germain.”
“The win means a lot. This fixture is hugely important and the most important thing is our confidence was back. It’s been a frustrating time for us and our injuries are still a big problem, but physically we look stronger. That extra gear was back. And we’ve not just won the game but kept a clean sheet.”
Howe specifically highlighted the performances of Kieran Trippier, who has been facing difficulties at right-back, as well as Guimarães and Miguel Almirón, for their exceptional play. “Kieran was outstanding,” he remarked. “He demonstrated his expertise and made sound choices.”
Sunderland’s manager, Michael Beale, remained optimistic in his response. “To be frank, there was a noticeable difference between the two teams. We attempted to bridge the gap, but over the course of 90 minutes, we were unable to do so,” he stated.
“In the first half, our defense was satisfactory, but we lacked enough skill. At halftime, we discussed being more aggressive and moving up the field, but we started the second half off poorly by giving up the second goal. We immediately put ourselves at a disadvantage.”
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This season, Newcastle emerged victorious against PSG, giving them a taste of the elevated level of football. Their extensive knowledge and familiarity made all the difference. Moving from the Championship to the Premier League is a significant leap.
The ex-coach of the Rangers balanced his frustration with a hopeful outlook for the youngest team in the second division. “It’s a terrible feeling right now, but it’s reassuring that we have 20 more games in the Championship and we can remain optimistic about our chances of making it to the playoffs,” he stated. “I have faith that our players are capable of performing better than they did today.”
We aim to provide young players with chances to improve and thrive, but this approach is not simple as it may seem. Our young team is not a hindrance in the Championship, but we faced challenges of financial and experiential disparities with Newcastle that we could not overcome.
Source: theguardian.com
