Newcastle's Howe frustrated after Wolves snatch late equaliser in 2-2 draw
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was left frustrated after Wolves snatched a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw
Transcript
00:00 What do you make of that fair result?
00:07 It probably was a fair result, I thought it was two really good teams today.
00:11 We played really well, I thought they did, it was a really good spectacle.
00:16 Frustrated, having led not to get over the line and win the game,
00:20 but a really impressive ending to the game, I thought,
00:23 because at 2-2, home crowd up, it was a really good response to the players
00:27 in that last spell of the game.
00:29 You were exhausted in the second half, some of them, I thought,
00:32 I don't know whether you agreed with that,
00:34 is that a sign that the schedule is beginning to catch up with you a little bit?
00:38 Well, I thought both teams did.
00:40 That was one of our best spells of the game, really, was the late stage,
00:44 so I've got to give my players credit, because the game on Wednesday,
00:49 a tough mental week for us with the Sandro situation, injuries to key players,
00:54 so I thought it was a really good response today.
00:57 I thought we looked the stronger team in the last part,
01:00 so I don't necessarily think the schedule has caught up with us,
01:03 I just think maybe the injuries and the difficult situation I was faced with
01:08 with making changes to the pitch today was a tough one.
01:11 You didn't know how you were going to cope with Champions League,
01:14 midweek and then coming away from home,
01:16 you haven't avoided defeat, so you were half glass, half full?
01:20 Yeah, definitely half full today, definitely.
01:23 I think we have to be really positive after today's performance,
01:27 the effort given from the players, no-one can look at that team and go,
01:30 "We weren't committed, we weren't brave, we didn't give everything to try and win the game."
01:35 So I'm very proud of the players.
01:37 Jordan Trone?
01:39 You mentioned the changes there, what was the biggest finding
01:42 when you won 7-0 at the last stages?
01:44 Well, the balance of the bench, really.
01:48 I was left with a lot of defenders,
01:50 and I have to be careful when making changes for the sake of it,
01:54 I've got to make changes that I think affect us positively,
01:57 and that's no criticism of the players that I have available on the bench,
02:01 but that game would have been a very difficult game to come into
02:05 with the conditions, 15, 20 minutes,
02:08 you really want to be changing attacking players and trying to go for three points,
02:12 but obviously they weren't there for us.
02:14 You mentioned injuries there, could you do without the game and midweek?
02:18 Is it too far for the schedule?
02:20 I'm reluctant to say that, that I'm not looking forward to the game,
02:25 and the game's not a good one for us, we're in a cup competition,
02:28 we want to try and progress.
02:30 I won't say that, I think we've got to be very careful with the team selection,
02:34 we've got to try and get that right,
02:36 because we're very, very thin on the ground in certain areas.
02:39 Lee Ryder and then Dominic?
02:41 You've just got to learn to live with these packed schedules,
02:44 because all the top teams have done it in the past,
02:47 is that something you've got to get used to as a club?
02:50 Yes, certainly something we've got to get used to this season,
02:53 and this is what we want on a regular basis, this is the pinnacle,
02:56 so we're not moaning about it.
02:58 I think the only disappointment for me is the fact we've got a lot of injuries
03:01 to attacking players and it's limited my options to, as I say today,
03:06 change in running or freshen the players up who may be fatigued.
03:11 But every player wants to play football,
03:14 and a lot of the lads will get a lot of football in the next few weeks.
03:17 How important is it to keep a few bodies fresh for that trip to Old Trafford?
03:21 Yeah, there will be some players in the squad who are desperate to play,
03:25 and we're really keen to see them play.
03:28 I'm not sure at this moment in time I needed to get this game out
03:31 the way I didn't have a set plan to attack this week with,
03:35 it was a case of reacting to today's game,
03:37 and then we'll sit down and see who's fresh, who's fit,
03:40 and who can go to Manchester United and do a good job.
03:42 Both keepers had work to do in those conditions,
03:45 you probably didn't envy them where you were sitting.
03:49 Yeah, it was, I think it's probably very, very wet for a goalkeeper,
03:53 it's probably not ideal conditions for them,
03:55 they'd probably like a little bit of moisture but not too much.
03:58 But I thought both goalkeepers are top-level players,
04:02 they'll be the difference-makers at times.
04:05 Nick has been for us and he was against Dortmund,
04:08 so fair play to both of them.
04:11 Dominic and George.
04:13 Two penalty shots for you this side at the end of the first half,
04:16 you've got yours, what were your thoughts on both of them?
04:19 Yeah, I think the first one, or our one, is a contentious penalty,
04:22 I think Fab is just got to the ball first,
04:24 I can see why the referee has given the penalty,
04:26 I haven't seen a replay of it so I'm going live.
04:29 Of course with the long delay, you know it's a tight call,
04:33 thankfully it went our way.
04:35 Which one are you talking about regarding their penalty shot?
04:38 I don't think...
04:41 People behind me say it didn't hit his hand, but I don't know if that's true.
04:44 It's the first time you've conceded from a set-piece this season,
04:47 what were your thoughts on the two goals conceded?
04:49 Yeah, that's a disappointment for us today, the first goal,
04:52 a spell in the game where we looked like we'd dealt with a couple of early spells of pressure.
04:57 But it's going to happen at some stage,
05:00 but obviously we pride ourselves on trying to stop it, so we're disappointed.
05:04 George Coulkin?
05:06 Hi, Jorge.
05:08 Now that the Sandro news has been announced formally,
05:12 can you give us a little bit of insight into what happens next?
05:16 Does he stay with the team?
05:18 Has he got a programme in place for him?
05:21 We're awaiting confirmation of all the details, George, we don't have them at the moment.
05:26 - Oh, really? - No.
05:28 Just going to check for an update on Alex and Jacob,
05:33 Jacob, was there any update on him from yesterday?
05:36 Alex is still where he is, I think he's aggravated the injury he suffered in the West Ham game.
05:45 And we're waiting to see whether he'll be fit before the international break,
05:50 there's probably a high chance he won't be, but we'll see.
05:53 And Jacob, we fear, might need an operation on his shoulder.
05:57 Kieran, and then we'll just finish up front.
05:59 Have you attempted to bring on Tino Anders even despite the conditions?
06:05 With Mo Salah and that young player, do you think they could handle that?
06:09 I've no doubt they could handle it,
06:12 but they're obviously competing with top players in their positions,
06:17 and I've got to identify the right time to introduce them into the team,
06:22 and of course they've got to earn that right to get their opportunity in the team.
06:26 I believe in them both, I think they're going to be outstanding players for us,
06:30 and they're training well, they're fighting for that starting spot.
06:35 Have you had any contact with Sandro Sintsema?
06:38 Not today, yesterday I did, but no, nothing today.
06:43 Is he quite emotional?
06:45 I think he's been emotional since this whole thing came to light, really.
06:51 Not necessarily obviously, but you know underneath.
06:56 It's been really tough for him, and it's not just been tough for Sandro,
07:00 it's been tough for the group.
07:02 We've seen a top player leave us now for ten months,
07:05 that is very tough for the players because they know they need help,
07:08 they need bodies, they need good players.
07:10 That's why the response today was so impressive.
07:12 Just on the front to finish, can we get a word on Calum Wilson,
07:16 his goals today and his importance as well,
07:18 and how important is Isaac Howe and other injuries?
07:21 Yeah, massive contribution from Calum today,
07:23 I thought he led the line really well,
07:25 I thought his first goal was hugely impressive,
07:27 because it looked like the first chance was probably the easier one,
07:30 the second one was really tough, but that's typical Calum,
07:32 great athleticism to score.
07:34 Took his penalty really well, probably frustrated now that he didn't get
07:38 the match ball with the one towards the end of the game,
07:41 but priceless goals for us.
07:43 OK, thanks everybody.
07:45 Thank you, cheers.
07:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]