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Magpies in a 'better place mentally' as Howe targets back-to-back wins
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Eddie Howe feels his Newcastle players have been lifted by last week’s much-needed victory over Burnley – and has challenged them to chase the winning feeling again as they gear up for Sunday’s trip to Leicester.
The Magpies finally broke their duck for the campaign by seeing off Burnley at St. James’ Park six days ago, moving off the bottom of the Premier League table in the process. It came at the 15th time of asking – 16 if the Carabao Cup is included – and ended a run of almost 200 days without a win.
Now, United find themselves within striking distance of safety and 17th-placed Watford, with Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester – whose form has been patchy at best so far this term – next in line.
And with a maiden victory of the season – and his tenure – chalked up, Howe is hopeful the Magpies can start to create some “positive momentum” going into a hectic festive period.
“Everybody was well aware that we needed that win – we have it, and now we have to build on it,” he said. “I think there’s been a bounce in the players’ step this week. We’ve been boosted by the win – there’s no doubt about that. I think it was something we were all desperate for.
“Winning in the Premier League is tough to do, and when you do it, you have to enjoy it, because the highs and lows that come around with the job are very extreme. There’s a time for us to share in that moment with our supporters, having waited so long, and it’s those kind of moments and that kind of atmosphere and spirit that you try and generate together that can really make a difference.
“We have to create some momentum in our season, and more positive momentum, and the supporters are going to be key to that – home and away. The team are in a better place now mentally, the training this week has been really, really good, and we’re looking forward to the tough game that we face.”
Much has been made of United’s set of fixtures in the weeks to come, with four of last season’s top five lying in wait ahead of trips to Everton and Southampton either side of the New Year.
Howe, however, has a different perspective.
“I don’t view it as a run – I just view it as the next game,” he insisted. “I think grouping games together can be dangerous either way, no matter what your fixture list is ahead. You don’t play games in groups – you play games one at a time.
“I think we just have to look at the Leicester game in isolation. It’s a tough game away from home against a very strong opponent, who are really well managed with some very good players. But we have to take confidence from our recent performances and from the feeling we had on Saturday, and try and get that feeling again. If you look at the work it took to win that match from the players, and the physical outputs it took, we’re going to have to hit those heights again.”
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