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Longstaff's long-term future 'unclear' - Howepublished at 15:56 4 April
15:56 4 April
Media caption,
Eddie Howe says Sean Longstaff's future is "unclear" but backed the 26 year old to play his part in Newcastle's end of the season.
The Magpies academy product has a year left to run on his contract but has fallen out of favour as a result of the form of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
"His role is to be ready to play, be ready to come on, and I've trusted him in big games where he has come on and played his part," said Howe.
"His long-term future is slightly more unclear but behind the scenes Sean has been really really good."
Barnes 'desperate to showcase what he can do' - Howepublished at 12:30 4 April
12:30 4 April
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle midfielder Harvey Barnes needs to make it "impossible" for boss Eddie Howe to take him out of the team.
The 27-year-old has made 31 appearances for the Magpies this season, but has started fewer than half of those.
Anthony Gordon's impressive form on the left wing has meant Barnes has had to wait for his opportunity to make an impact from the start.
But with Gordon struggling with injury, the former Leicester player has been deputising in his place on the left and provided two assists in his past two Premier League games.
"Harvey has been chomping at the bit to play. He's been desperate to showcase what he can do," Howe said.
"He brings unique things to the team. He's definitely a goal threat. I think he had seven shots against Brentford off both sides of the pitch. I trust him a lot. I think he's got a lot of great attributes that we want in the team.
"I've been really happy with how he's come into the team and built relationships with the likes of Joelinton and Tino Livramento. They've been a consistent threat down that left-hand side so I'm delighted with that side of the pitch."
With crucial games coming up as Newcastle try to secure Champions League football, the question now is whether Barnes can keep his place in the starting XI when Gordon returns.
"That's the message to any player when you get your opportunity," Howe added.
"You've got to try to grab it and make it impossible for me to take you out. That's the challenge for Harvey."
Howe on team news, Isak injury record and summer transfer window published at 10:54 4 April
10:54 4 April
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game at Leicester (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Newcastle do not have any "big injuries" from Wednesday's win over Brentford, but do have "some niggles" to players like Kieran Trippier, Alexander Isak and Joelinton that they will have to "wait and see" on.
Howe also confirmed they are "monitoring" Anthony Gordon after a bad knock he picked up with England because he is "still not pain free".
The Magpies boss is "really pleased" Fabian Schar has extended his contract and added: "[Fans will] remember him as the unique player he is. Not orthodox, like the goal against Liverpool where he had no right to score that. He has moments where you just go 'wow'. His defensive side has definitely improved and, as a defender, you are always judged against that first."
Asked if statistics show it is a myth that Isak is injury prone, Howe responded: "Look at my record - I was very injury prone. Alex certainly isn't." He added: "He is very professional. He has a physio he uses in conjunction with the football club that will fly in and out. We back that and have a good relationship with that. It is about building relationships and trust so he knows we are doing right work for him and his body too."
On the role of Sean Longstaff: "To be ready, to play and to come on. He has already payed his part. We need the whole squad to help. There are nine massive games to come and everyone needs to be ready to play. I'm not sure on his future, but all I can say is, behind the scenes, he has been very, very good. Training really well with the group and I can't speak highly enough of him as a person."
On facing relegation-threatened Leicester: "They are not out of it. They will still believe they have chance. They have been very competitive, but results might not show it... They have good players. [Jamie] Vardy is still a massive threat. Ruud [van Nistelrooy] has got them playing good football, so we will have to be on our guard still."
Howe believes they are in a "better position" in terms of profit and sustainability rules going into the summer and on the impact European football can have, he added: "Europe will play a part but I don't know how yet as there is still lots of football to be played. We will be in stronger position, depending which competition we are in. With the current players, we know what we want to achieve and focus is on that at the moment."
'Heartbeat of the club's season' - Schar signs new dealpublished at 14:39 3 April
14:39 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
Defender Fabian Schar has extended his contract at Newcastle until the end of next season.
The centre-back has made more than 200 appearances since arriving in the summer of 2018.
Schar told the club's official website: "I'm buzzing to extend my stay here. It's been a very good few weeks for everybody at Newcastle United after winning the Carabao Cup and I'm really happy now to sign another contract with this amazing club.
"It's my seventh season here and everybody knows how happy I am at the club and how comfortable I feel in the city, so I'm really glad to be continuing that.
"Now it's about looking forward and finishing the season as strong as possible."
Magpies boss Eddie Howe said: "Fabian has been outstanding in my time at the club. As well as his performances on the pitch, he has shown a fantastic attitude in the group.
"He has been the heartbeat of the club's season so far, and he'll continue to be a key player for us as we strive to finish as high in the table as possible."
Tonali 'has an unbelievable strike' - Howepublished at 13:56 3 April
13:56 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
Everybody is talking about Sandro Tonali after his performance against Brentford last night.
Here is some more of what the boss had to say about his midfielder.
Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck, Eddie Howe said: "Very good again. Very good. Just a lot of good decisions from Sandro and I think that's what makes him the player that he is.
"I think you're always getting 'well done' and they're not necessarily outstanding moments but when you add them together, it just turns into a very forceable performance from midfield.
"He's very good athletically and he helped a number of times in putting out fires on transitions. It was a very good individual performance."
On Tonali's comments that his goal was "70% a cross", Howe told BBC Radio 5 Live: "You'll have to talk me through the percentages - 70 per cent, 30 per cent. I don't really understand that. Maybe he can talk me through it.
"I think he, as we all know, he has got an unbelievable strike on him when he hits the ball and connects and he did in that moment. We were just delighted to see it go in."
Newcastle 2-1 Brentford - fans' verdictpublished at 09:53 3 April
09:53 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Newcastle's win over Brentford on Wednesday.
Here are some of your comments:
Newcastle fans
Matt: Did Sandro Tonali really mean that strike? The late movement of his foot suggests he did - but that's my heart ruling my head, maybe! On track for Europe again and perhaps a big win against Manchester United.
Paul: Great win but we made hard work of it with either sloppy finishing or great last-ditch defending by Brentford. Alexander Isak wasn't at his best, taking time to pull the trigger but we could have easily been three goals up at half-time.
Duncan: Any signs of a hangover from the cup success were soon dispelled. A good start from the whistle, with lots of pressure on the Brentford 18-yard box. A good all-round performance marred by Nick Pope's poor decision-making again. Tonali finished it with a wonder strike to secure the points and continue the push for Champions League football next season. Did he mean it? Absolutely! He has been going for long-range efforts like that all season. Our strongest player all season.
Robbo: Difficult game and could have easily been a draw. Pleased with a win after such a historic few weeks. Good luck to the Bees for the rest of the season. Thought Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento were brilliant. Did Tonali mean to score? Of course he did.
Brentford fans
Brahams: Very unlucky not to get a point and on another day all three! A strong performance full of passion. While Mikkel Damsgaard is a super sub to have, I just think we are missing (through injuries etc) a few game-changing players that we have in our squad. But that's not to take away anything from the performance away at a strong team who were on a high from their trophy win. I think the sky is the limit when Brentford have the full force of their squad playing week in week out.
Tom: We played well. It was a game that should get attention for another referee and VAR mistake though, as a stonewall penalty against Damsgaard, after which a free kick was given for a "foul" by Keane Lewis-Potter on Tonali and a yellow card, from which Newcastle went and Tonali scored the freak goal. This has happened time and again in recent matches for us. We're not the kind of club to moan about it and we have the classiest manager in the Premier League, but he needs to start now as it is getting ridiculous.
'A complete midfield performance' published at 09:40 3 April
09:40 3 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says Sandro Tonali put in a "complete midfield performance" in their 2-1 win over Brentford.
Anderson told BBC Newcastle's Total Sport: "He was brilliant. He was everywhere. He did everything. It was just a complete midfield performance. He passed it well, he tackled, he chased back and he was strong on the ball.
"It was always going to be a difficult game, Brentford had won their past five away. They weren't going to come here and lie down.
"I thought we were the better side in the first half and to score right on half-time was a big bonus for us but full credit to Brentford - they came out and had a right go in the second half.
"I don't think anyone can complain about the penalty, dispatched well. Up to that point, they were the better side and you were starting to get a bit worried at that stage.
"But goals change games and that's exactly what Tonali's strike did."
Finally, Juventus want to sign Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, with the Serie A side valuing the 24-year-old at about £70m. (Gazzetta - in Italian), external
'Relieved to come through with the three points' - Howepublished at 23:16 2 April
23:16 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It wasn't pretty. I don't think we played as well as we did against Liverpool.
"Tonali has a thunderbolt of a strike when he does go for goal. I am mightily relieved to see it hit the net.
"Always after the international break the games are different. We had players in different physical moments and we looked to have picked up a few minor injuries but hopefully nothing to keep anyone out of the next game.
"We are relieved to come through with the three points."
Newcastle 2-1 Brentford: Did you know?published at 22:55 2 April
22:55 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Jacob Murphy (seven assists) and Alexander Isak (one assist) have combined for eight Premier League goals this season - more than any other duo. While only Andrew Cole and Peter Beardsley have ever combined for more goals in a single campaign in the competition for Newcastle (nine in 1993-94).
Newcastle 2-1 Brentford: Job donepublished at 22:29 2 April
22:29 2 April
Neil Johnston BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
It was all about the result as far as Newcastle were concerned - and Eddie Howe's side delivered as they marked their return to the Premier League stage with a win following their Carabao Cup triumph.
In their first game since ending a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, the Magpies ensured they stayed in the hunt for the Champions League after dispatching Brentford.
They weren't at their fluent best and there was a major debate as to whether Sandro Tonali's winner was a cross or a shot.
In the grand scheme of things, it didn't matter one jot.
Newcastle had the points and the tens of thousands of fans who turned up at St James' Park decked out in black and white Wembley souvenirs went home happy.
It is imperative the Toon kick-on after their League Cup triumph. That starts with finishing this season strongly and qualifying for a place at European football's top table.
After losing 2-0 against Manchester United in the final of the 2022-23 Carabao Cup, Newcastle won nine of their remaining 15 Premier League games to secure fourth spot.
Will they end this season with a similar flourish?
The signs look good judging by Wednesday's evidence.
'70% cross and 30% shot'published at 22:05 2 April
22:05 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, speaking to Premier League Productions: "The start of the second half was tough and Brentford pushed but we are a solid team as well and we had a good reaction.
"This win is nice for the Champions League for us, we have a good week and it is perfect for this week."
On whether he meant his goal: "Honestly, it was 70% cross and 30% shot. It was difficult for the goalkeeper and difficult also for me. Also a little bit of luck."
On Alexander Isak scoring again: "I am happy for him because Alex is a great striker and maybe one of the best in the world now. I think he scores every game. We work for him because when Alex scores, very often we win the game. We are happy. I think Alex now is the best in the world."
On the season's ambitions: "Now we play only for the first five teams, for the Champions League. It is a little bit tough but we are lucky because there are five teams in the Champions League this season. The team is a little bit free so it is much better for me and for the fans. Now we have nine finals to get back into the Champions League.
"I think I am happy for the trophy for these fans because these fans deserve it. Every game we have 52,000 people in the stadium and this is amazing for football. I am so happy to play every game in this stadium and with these fans it is amazing."
Newcastle 2-1 Brentford - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:44 2 April
'I would have no hesitation in giving Trippier a new contract'published at 16:42 2 April
16:42 2 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says he would have "no hesitation" in offering Kieran Trippier a new deal this summer.
Trippier's contract expires at the end of next season but the 34-year-old has been linked with a move away from St James' Park before he is available to leave on a free transfer.
"Trippier is huge for Newcastle," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle. "The experience he's got at international level, the move to Spain with Atletico Madrid, playing Champions League football - all that comes through.
"He's talking to people all the time. He's pulling players into areas. He's dragging people around the pitch. That's the way he does it - he's just a good talker. There's nothing aggressive about it - some players just need that and he does it great.
"It will be interesting to see what the club do with him in the summer. I would have no hesitation at all in giving Trippier a new contract.
"It will be down to the player because he may well feel now that he's played in the cup final and was exceptional but, at the start of next season, [Tino] Livramento and [Lewis] Hall will be the two who start at full-back.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Brentfordpublished at 11:04 2 April
11:04 2 April
Have Newcastle stopped celebrating yet? They have been on the lash for a long time after winning the Carabao Cup, culminating - for some of their fans anyway - with their trophy parade on Saturday. I am sure the players have sunk a few too.
It showed how much the club's success means to the city, but now they have to focus on the rest of the season, because getting back into the Champions League would be massive for what comes next for Eddie Howe's side, and how they are viewed across Europe.
There will be a fantastic atmosphere at this game too, but the danger with that is we know Brentford are capable of spoiling anyone's party with their attacking threat.
Howe has tried to address that by speaking about the need to finish the campaign strongly, and this is a great example of where his side cannot afford to take their eye off the ball.
I suspect they will come out of the traps very quickly against Brentford, lifted by the crowd, and go a couple of goals up before the weekend starts to take its toll on them and the fans too.
