"We need to maintain that" - Howe targeting Saints success

Howe's side extended their unbeaten Premier League streak to eight matches following an emphatic 4-0 victory against Aston Villa last weekend, maintaining their position in the division's top four.

In their penultimate league fixture before the 2022/23 season pauses to accommodate the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Newcastle boss, who received a Premier League Manager of the Month nomination for October, is determined to build on United's impressive displays of late.

Here's what Howe had to say during his pre-match briefing at the club's Benton-based training ground ahead of the long trip to the South coast this weekend:

On injury updates and whether Jonjo Shelvey, in line for his 200th Newcastle appearance, is ready to start a first competitive match of the 2022/23 campaign since April:

"We've had a few bumps and bruises but nothing too bad. Allan (Saint-Maximin) has come through after his little cameo, as well as Jonjo. The strength of the group is slowly returning and we still have Emil (Krafth), Alex (Isak) and Matt Ritchie still out. Karl Darlow is back training and trained well this week. Apart from that, we're in a good place.

"I think Jonjo would probably say yes. He's certainly getting closer. This has been his second proper week of training so he's in a much better place but without that match exposure. We wanted to protect him from that and see him through to the World Cup."

On hosting a pre-season friendly against La Liga outfit Rayo Vallecano, which will take place at St. James' Park on Saturday, 17th December:

"We're trying to organise almost a mini pre-season for the players. The players that remain us will need to stay fit, sharp and ready for the Premier League resuming. It's an exciting game and a one we're looking forward to. Hopefully, there will be a good schedule of games for us to be ready."

On Miguel Almirón, who received nominations for Premier League Player of the Month and Premier League Goal of the Month for October after scoring six times in as many matches:

"We don't expect Miggy to be scoring from 25-30 yards every week. We'd love him to but it's an unrealistic expectation. We're delighted with the ones he has scored and if you put them together, which a lot of people have, you end up with a showreel of outstanding goals.

"I get just as much pleasure from seeing his second goal against Fulham, a tap-in in the six-yard box from Joe Willock's cross. They're the goals that you'd love our players to be able to deliver every week." 

On Dan Burn and whether the Geordie defender could feature in England's 26-man squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar:

"It's a difficult one for me to say because, obviously, I'm going to promote all my players at international level to say 'yes, I do'. I don't want that to be seen as a plea to Gareth (Southgate) because he will do his work. He'll know Dan inside and out and of his capabilities.

"Looking at Dan individually, he can play in various positions. He's an incredible person, a model of consistency for me and he's got great leadership skills. I couldn't place a higher value on him and what he's delivered. I think he can do that on the international stage but that's Gareth's call.

"Whenever you have a team that's consistently doing well, it's not just about two or three individuals. It's about a squad of 20 players. Dan's one of those players that, sometimes, can go under the radar and not be acknowledged but he has been so good in different positions for us.

"He's slipped in at left-back in such a good way where he has given us a lot of solidity as we've attacked. He's used the ball very well but, first and foremost, he's defended very well. I'm pleased for him on a personal level that's he maintained his form."

On aiming to continue their impressive Premier League displays of late, which saw Howe's side net 16 goals and record three clean sheets in their last six fixtures:

"The next area is to produce those types of performances week in, week out. I have to compliment the players so far this season. I think we've been very level in terms of what we've produced. 

"We're always in the lap of the football gods but for us, controlling our application, desire and all the basics that you need to produce a good performance to win a game, I think, have been there.

"We need to maintain that and there's a lot of areas of the team need to continue to improve which we're working towards everyday."

On Sean Longstaff, who played every minute of the Magpies' Premier League fixtures last month:

"I think Sean, first and foremost, has been excellent since he's come into the team. He does give us a drive and an  endurance that, when he's not there, we would miss. He's got a very good attitude to his work and that's the same Sean you see from training to matchday.

"He's regularly churning out the highest physical stats in training everyday and that's just part of his DNA and how he works and plays. That energy we have in the team, if you add Miggy, Joelinton and several other players that have the same quality, then you become a much harder team to beat."

On facing Southampton, who currently lie one point above the relegation zone in 17th place:

"Southampton's a very difficult game. I've got a lot of respect for Ralph (Hasenhüttl). I think he's done a very good job there over a long period of time. They're very difficult to read and a team that changes system and personnel a lot so to try and fix what they're going to do is tough.

"They've had a few injuries as well to some of their key players but they look they're returning to the squad so that will give them a lift. We're aware it'll be a very difficult game. They've got a lot of youth in the squad now so, physically, we'll have to be very good.

"We have to prepare well this week and get our messages right. We'll do everything we can to get the players, when they enter the pitch, in a confident place and hopefully we can deliver what we need to at the highest level."