Eddie Howe has hit out at critics suggesting Newcastle’s season is done and dusted after their FA Cup exit at Manchester City, calling those claims “absolute nonsense” as there’s still so much to play for in the Premier League.
Despite being ultimately outclassed by a City side that didn’t even need to try all that hard, claims on social media that Newcastle’s campaign is now a write off with only three points off from 7th place in the League table aren’t making sense as Howe and his men could secure Europa League or Europa Conference League football dependent on the UEFA coefficients.
“There is a huge amount to play for. If people say our season is over, that’s absolute nonsense as far as I’m concerned.” Howe said.
“We’re driving forward to try and get our best form back first and foremost. and try and win as many games as we can. We want to finish the season in a positive way because we’ll take that feeling into next year as well.
“We’ve got 10 massive games left and are only a few points below seventh place [in the Premier League], so we’re looking to end the season on a high.”
Only three points from 7th with a winnable run of fixtures to come over a 10-game run in is still a healthy situation for Newcastle, for sure, despite being in poor form and struggling for confidence.
Optimistically, a win over West Ham in two weeks time will see them as the big favorites to clinch that final European spot.