Summary

Your views before the Premier League weekend

  1. 'Criticism is justified'published at 10:26 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on whether his squad have proved they can compete in multiple competitions: "Any criticism of us in that respect is justified until we get consistent results."

  2. 'Two great goalkeepers'published at 10:23 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on Aaron Ramsdale's role at Newcastle: "Aaron's role here is to come in here and compete, and show what a good goalkeeper he is, and train well and add to the group, bring good harmony and bring his energy because he is really positive guy. He has done that and I have been really pleased.

    "But Nick [Pope] is an outstanding goalkeeper too. So is Aaron. We've got two great players for the position and it's up to me to choose."

    Aaron RamsdaleImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'I have to wrestle with my thoughts'published at 10:19 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on fan opinion around goalkeeper selection: "Of course, I respect the supporters' opinions but ultimately I am paid to do the job. Alone, I have to wrestle with my thoughts always. It's never a 100% to 0% decision. It's never easy because you are dealing with good players on many different levels and in different positions.

    "While I acknowledge the supporters' opinion, I don't really know because I don't really tend to go there because then my decision-making would be swayed and I have to stay true to myself."

  4. 'We need that win away from home'published at 10:16 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on whether an away win against Everton could be the most important game of Newcastle's season: "Possibly. We need that win away from home. Without me trying to build it up as bigger than it is, any win - especially back-to-back wins - in the Premier League are transformative, especially with how tight the league is this year."

    Newcastle are four points above the relegation zone, but only six points outside the top four.

  5. get involved

    Get Involved - Man Utd 'best prepared' & Howe festive bingopublished at 10:14 GMT

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    Manchester United are the best prepared to deal with the fixture rush because they basically don't have any. I'm predicting Eddie Howe will refer to his team's "inconsistencies" this season and then say something about how all of his players want to play and it's a "competitive" squad.

    Harry

    Not too far off with Howe talking about his competitive squad Harry - I can vouch that you messaged us before he said this.

  6. 'Every day or two I am disappointing players I love'published at 10:12 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    More from Eddie Howe on the difficulty of considering dropping Nick Pope: "Team selection is always up there for me in terms of the hardest decision you have to make because it's always about the players you are leaving out. It's always the most difficult part.

    "Every two or three days at the moment I am disappointing players that I love. I will try to do it on merit - through training, through the games I try to make honest and fair decisions."

    Eddie HoweImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'Moyes has done unbelievable job at Everton'published at 10:11 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on Everton boss David Moyes: "He is a manager I certainly respect. The longevity of his career is unbelievable. I have a huge amount of respect for him. The way he has handled himself, the way he has handled different challenges.

    "He has done an unbelievable job at Everton to take over when he did and find the stability. They are playing well too."

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - 'We need Eddie to take the blinkers off'published at 10:10 GMT

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    Andrew: Replying to Pat Nevin [about Newcastle's lack of strength in depth], we have options all over the pitch. We just need Eddie to take the blinkers off and drop a few of his favourites who aren't performing.

  9. 'It's a big call' - Howe on Pope-Ramsdale selectionpublished at 10:07 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on rotating between Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale: "You don't naturally, or in my mind, think about rotating the goalkeeper. I think it's a position of consistency. Ideally, you want to give the defenders in front the continuity and the knowledge and understanding of how that goalkeeper plays.

    "Changing a goalkeeper is possible, of course, but it's a big call [a lot changes] to make because depending on the style of the goalkeeper.

    "It's something for me to consider, but certainly rotating the goalkeeper position isn't something I want to do."

    Nick Pope and Aaron RamsdaleImage source, Getty Images
  10. Howe on troubles English fans experience abroadpublished at 10:05 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Asked why English fans tend to have trouble abroad and whether it feels unjust, Eddie Howe said: "I don't think that is a question that I should answer. Obviously, my thoughts are with the Newcastle fans and making sure they are OK."

  11. 'I still don't know what to say' - Howe on poor away formpublished at 10:00 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on his side's poor away form: "I did think that might come up. I still don't know what to say to that. This season has brought about a set of circumstances that I have to comment on, and rightly so, but sometimes you don't have the right responses or answers to the set questions."

  12. 'My thoughts are with everyone who travelled to Marseille'published at 09:58 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on the scenes off the pitch against Marseille: "It's very sad to hear because from my perspective, the most important thing is that everyone who goes to games is that they enjoy the experience, that it's a safe experience.

    "We don't want to see any sets of supporters anywhere in the world engaging in trouble or being disrespected so my thoughts are with everyone who travelled and I hope they are OK."

  13. 'We certainly back Pope'published at 09:57 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on goalkeeper selection, with Nick Pope and summer signing Aaron Ramsdale at his disposal: "All options are on the table for me. I need to think long and hard about who I pick. I try to do that on merit. I get the luxury of seeing the payers train every day and I'll make my call."

    On whether he has talked to Pope about his mistake at Marseille, which led to the home side's equaliser in their 2-1 Champions League victory: "Nick is vastly experienced, he is very level. You don't see huge highs or lows. He is very calm and absorbs it all.

    "Of course, I discuss things with all my players. Nick is a top class professional and an outstanding goalkeeper. We certainly back him. He has made a number of brilliant saves for us this season."

    Nick PopeImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'Don't remind me' - Howe on 48th birthdaypublished at 09:51 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on whether a win at Everton would be a good birthday present: "Don't remind me - 48 - that's gone quick. I don't like to say that out loud now. I've gone from one extreme to another where I didn't want my age being discussed because I was too young and now I am going into a different stage of my manager career."

  15. 'Barnes is bang in form'published at 09:49 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on Harvey Barnes: "Harvey is playing well, looks like he has good confidence. Physically looks strong, looks fit, he looks able to carry the game load he is experiencing.

    "He is a goal creator and a really good finisher and we saw that again on Tuesday. It was a fantastic finish off his left foot. When you put that together with his two goals against Manchester City, he is bang in form and hopefully that continues."

    Harvey BarnesImage source, Getty Images
  16. 'It's been a long road for Willock'published at 09:46 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on Joe Willock's performance against Marseille: "Joe was excellent actually. We picked him because of a few different things. How he has trained firstly, he has good energy and has produced high level. His attitude has been excellent. He has been out of the team, but he has focused on trying to impress.

    "I think that's his best performance since his injury. I always say when players get serious injuries it can take you a while to get your rhythm back. He showed he felt physically good, which is key for him.

    "I was really pleased for him personally because it has been a long road and hopefully we can keep him at that level."

  17. 'Busy schedule brings different challenges'published at 09:43 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on navigating the busy schedule: "The games bring different challenges. Obviously fatigue is the big one. Not always physical fatigue, sometimes it's mental fatigue. It can feel you are always prepared for a game which is, in a sense, great, but, of course, depending on the players needs and if they are playing or not playing, it can bring different challenges.

    "We are trying to keep things fresh. I have been really pleased with the respect of everyone. I'm looking forward to all the games ahead of us."

  18. Marseille scenes 'very sad to see'published at 09:42 GMT
    Breaking

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe said that his thoughts were with every Newcastle fan who travelled to Marseille and were involved in the distressing scenes in the ground after the Champions League game, which he said were "very sad to see".

    More to follow.

  19. Wissa trains 'for first time' with Newcastlepublished at 09:40 GMT
    Breaking

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa: "He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday so I was really pleased with how he looked. That's his first time competitively with the group. Let's see how he responds today.

    On a potential return date for Wissa: "We've got one in mind, but it's probably best if I keep that to myself. We don't want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to involve him as soon as possible."

    Yoane WissaImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'Trippier out for roughly a month'published at 09:38 GMT

    Everton v Newcastle (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

    Newcastle United

    Eddie Howe on injury updates: "Nothing major from the game [against Marseille]. We will have a good look at the guys today. Sven Botman has been nursing a back problem in the last few days.

    On Kieran Trippier: "He had a scan on his hamstring, I think it's roughly around a month - give or take. That's the diagnosis. Fingers crossed we can get him back quickly."

    On Emile Krafth: "He came back from international duty with a knee issue, but I don't think it's anything too serious. He had a scan, which came back pretty good. Whether he's fit for this game, it's probably too soon."