Howe anticipating "unique test" against Bees

The Magpies equalled their biggest ever Premier League away victory at the London Stadium courtesy of braces from Callum Wilson and Joelinton, along with Alexander Isak's delightful finish, to secure a fourth Premier League victory in a row. 

Newcastle have opted to remain in the capital this week ahead of their visit to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Thomas Frank's side, who currently occupy ninth place in the division on 43 points in 48 hours' time.

With Wilson and Joelinton, reinstated into the starting line-up for the encounter in Stratford, both on target and Isak scoring after his introduction from the substitutes' bench, Howe welcomed the selection dilemma he could face upon his side's second of three successive away matches.

Here were some of the main talking points from Howe's pre-match media briefing, conducted at the London Stadium following the Magpies' victory against West Ham on Wednesday night: 

On opting to select either Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak to lead the line against Thomas Frank's Bees, with the pair both on target at the London Stadium: 

"They're the problems you want to have - it's a great situation to be in. I've been in other situations where you might not even have a player to fit the role and now I've got two outstanding players.

"I know I'll try and make the right call for the next game. You need goals and I want those options and choices. The players have to understand when they're playing or not but both have.

"Alex was excellent about my decision and proved that when he came on and scored (against West Ham). Callum, roles reversed, didn't start against Manchester United but came on and scored. It's that competition that will hopefully drive both players on to give more."

On Allan Saint-Maximin, who has recorded back-to-back assists in his last two Premier League outings:

"I think Maxi's been very focussed for a while now. He's trained really well first and foremost. That's the first aspect of their game I judge because that then leads to the performance.

"He's trained well, been focussed and he's keen for the team to do well. He's an integral part of our team because he's something slightly different. No one can do what Maxi does. He's very much an individual but he's performing well in a team structure.

"I think the message to him is we want to see the best Maxi possible. Now, there's a lot of things that can go into making that possible. Firstly, the responsibility always lies with the player.

"Players have improved and developed into having really good seasons for us. They deserve all the credit so the responsibility is with him. He's really focussed on doing well and it's good to see."

On Joelinton's performance against West Ham, with the Brazilian scoring his first league goals since Boxing Day on Wednesday:

"I was really pleased for Joey because he had a suspension and we missed him. It's been a long time since he's played but credit to his professionalism so, on that absence, he's came in and impacted the game.

"The first goal was great to see because it was a run from deep. He probably thought he might've been offside but tucked it away really well. The second goal was a great finish from a really difficult angle.

"Goals is a part of the game that our midfielders or wingers, whichever position he plays, has to score so it's great to see him do that."

On the Magpies' second of three consecutive away fixtures, with United facing a trip to Aston Villa following this weekend's clash in West London:

"Now, we're looking at Brentford. Aston Villa will be a totally unique challenge, a really tough one because they're doing brilliantly but Brentford's going to be hard enough so I don't think we'll look at it as block of games or a group of games. 

"Three away games is quite unique and it's a different thing but it doesn't really change how we prepare for each one. 

"We felt if we could get the first goal (against West Ham), it could help us naturally with the crowd and the difficult situation West Ham are in.

"Brentford are in a totally different position, the feel of the stadium will be different and the reaction to the crowd. We have to be prepared, their style of play is very strong so it's a unique test."